The Quest on the Existence of Destiny

Life is filled with so many unanswered questions that lead people to conduct different studies for answers that give their otherwise mundane life, meaning. For the past years of my life and even until this moment, I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason. I know for a fact that God has a way of doing things and I just need to trust His perfect plans to unfold. All the struggles, happiness, loss, pain, healing, chaos, and success that came into my life had a good reason behind to bring out the best version of what I am right now. In a way, I can assure myself that I don't merely have "bad luck" because of my firm belief that whatever happens to me, including the most terrible events, are a part of His great scheme of things. To put it in perspective, believing that everything happens for a reason wherein God's the mastermind, means that all of us have an equal and a fair chance to live happily in this world. Struggles should not be deemed as the beginning of failure but as an opportunity for tremendous growth.

However, I'm not blind and fulsome as to say that this belief of mine has been strongly upheld in my consciousness. As I grow older, I frequently find myself contradicting it. There are questions that made the seed of doubt even strongly root in my mind. If our lives are planned accordingly, then what are we doing here? What is our purpose of living? Why are we thinking and planning for our future if it is already decided? If I decide to do a certain deed now, is it also a part of the Great plan?

A famous philosopher had this thought of "Predestination" and this idea has been the subject of ridicule and raised brows. And as the division between religion and science became larger than ever, my belief continues to become vague. Is this just pure coincidence--that a girl with deep faith in Him is pursuing a degree of science? Is it possible to choose one over the other? I am constantly torn, wondering what will happen in the next days, weeks,...