Humanity in Jerry Sittser's A Grace Disguised

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Recommended: Analysis of theories of loss and grief

The human experience is what connects people to one another. What we experience defines who we are and who we become. It also defines how we interact with others. The amazing thing is that not only do the events that bring joy, peace and happiness connect us but also those that bring anxiety, fear and despair. This brings to light the fact that God somehow in his sovereignty uses all things for the good of those who love Him. These ideas are brought to light in Jerry Sittser’s book, A Grace Disguised which is his personal journey of loss and the insight and experience that was gained in the face of great tragedy. In his book, Sittser discusses various insights he has gained, such as how Christian’s view sorrow, how families recover when someone they love develops a mental disorder, and the Christian view on suffering and forgiveness. I believe that the author has written a book that has many universal truths that can be applied to anyone’s life and they have the ability to bring healing to many. His ideas can also aid professionals who work with the mentally ill in becoming more compassionate. Sittser’s ideas on the Christian view of sorrow and loss are based on his own heartbreak. The loss of his wife, mother and daughter in a car accident and the after effects of such a catastrophe lead him to explore the depths of sorrow, loss and pain and in them discover God. He begins by stating that “all people suffer loss” (Sittser, 2004, p.31) and despite the fact that every person’s loss is individual and unique, all humans will experience some type of loss in their lives. These losses vary from losing your childhood to acquire adulthood all the way to loss that brings great sorrow such as illness, disability, various kinds of abuse and... ... middle of paper ... ...on rather than a disease or a problem that must be cured or solved. Jerry Sittser’s book not only brings readers into loss with all its real emotions and pain but it also highlights truths that can be applied to anyone’s life. Sittser’s faith is evident throughout the book and his struggle of finding his faith within his loss and sorrow is encouraging to many. In the end, through his loss, he finds God again and through the writing of his book is now able to offer many insights on the Christian perspectives of sorrow, loss, forgiveness and how mental illness affects families. Sittser inspires readers because they have witnessed that they can too grow and continue living life despite their loss and without forgetting their loss. Works Cited Sittser, G. L. (2004). A grace disguised: how the soul grows through loss (Expanded ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan.

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