Does everything happen for a reason? 
No, I don’t think so. (My daughter and I have had this conversation often. Neither one of us buy into it.)
I think it’s what we tell ourselves when we can’t make sense of a situation. It’s what we say to console ourselves when there isn’t any reason.
I think Christians are particularly vulnerable to this falsehood. We take verses like “everything turns out good for those who love the Lord” to imply that good will always come from bad. While it’s not jargon, it is quoted in very much the same way. (An article by Randy Alcorn does a great job explaining this verse. )
As you all know, I hate popular jargon because while it usually does have a grain of truth, it’s not the whole loaf of bread! There is always danger in philosophies that contain some truth but not all the truth.
I personally think we need to be careful using certain phrases or Bible verses as consolation for people. It doesn’t help. Having been a hospital chaplain, let me reassure you that spouting jargon or taking Bible verses out of context, does no good.
What does help is a listening and empathetic ear, not a mouth running amuck.
I guess I’m writing about this because I hear people spouting jargon all the time and never consider whether they even believe what they’re saying. It’s just easier than taking time to think before speaking.
Can I just suggest we all think a little more before we spout half-truths?
