God works in mysterious ways

Possibly originating from a poem by William Cowper (floruit 1731–1800), whose first stanza reads:

God moves in a mysterious way / His wonders to perform; / He plants His footsteps in the sea / And rides upon the storm.

Despite the late attestation, the general sentiment of the phrase does hold apparent wide-ranging and prehistoric theological currency.

God works in mysterious ways

1. Expressing confidence that a conundrum has a solution despite it not being apparent.
2. Commenting on a situation that has led to some unexpected outcome in a surprising or convoluted way.
3. Commenting that a seemingly unfortunate or unfavourable situation or change may be beneficial later or in the long run.

   Person A: It seems that I'm about to be fired from my job.

   Person B: Well, God works in mysterious ways — maybe it'll be the kick you need to apply to university...

• As a figure of speech, it sometimes does not necessarily denote the religious views of the speaker. Rarely used sarcastically.

• (a situation may be beneficial later): every cloud has a silver lining, blessing in disguise