You Are Exactly Where You’re Supposed to Be – But Why?

When I saw this image on Instagram, the first thing I did was repost it on my story. I found it funny and worthy of sharing. I laughed even. But then, I thought about it deeply, and these are my two cents.

The statement, “You are exactly where you’re supposed to be,” is often used as a comforting affirmation. It suggests that everything happening in your life is unfolding as it should, according to some grand design. But then, the second line in this post completely flips the sentiment: “Because you make terrible decisions.” Suddenly, it’s not about fate or destiny—it’s about personal accountability.

Are You Here Because of Your Choices or God’s Plan?

This got me thinking about a debate I’ve had many times. Are we where we are in life because of our choices? Or is it all part of God’s plan?

The case for free will & personal responsibility

If we take the logic of the second line—“because you make terrible decisions”—it suggests that where we end up is entirely a result of our actions. We chose a career path, a relationship, a lifestyle, and now we’re dealing with the consequences (good or bad). In this view, life is a series of cause-and-effect events shaped by our decision-making skills.

It’s easy to blame bad luck, unfair systems, or other people for where we are. But how much of our current situation is a direct result of our past choices? If we reflect deeply, we might find that many of our struggles can be traced back to decisions we made—ones we could have made differently.

The case for divine destiny

On the flip side, many believe that nothing happens without God’s hand in it. Even the seemingly bad decisions we make are part of a greater plan we don’t fully understand. The wrong job. The failed relationship. The missed opportunities. What if they were necessary stepping stones to get us to where we truly belong?

Some people find peace in this belief. It removes the burden of regret because if God willed it, then it was always meant to happen that way. But does that mean we’re absolved of all responsibility?

The balance between choice and divine will

Maybe the truth lies somewhere in between. James 2:17 says “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Read 2:17-26). In simple terms, faith without work is dead. We make choices, but God weaves them into His plan. Free will exists, but it doesn’t operate in isolation—there’s a bigger picture we can’t always see. Sometimes, what seems like a terrible decision today might turn out to be beneficial in the future. It could become the best thing that ever happened to us years down the line.

So, are you exactly where you’re supposed to be because of your choices or because God planned it that way? Maybe both. Maybe we make decisions, and God either lets us learn from them or redirects us toward something greater.

What do you think? Are we solely responsible for our circumstances, or is there a divine script at play?