Analysis Of Jerry Sittser's A Grace Disguised

Introduction
It was dark as they drove down a deserted stretch of highway. Headlights appeared in the distance, approaching rapidly…too fast. A curve in the road; a head-on collision, and lives are forever changed. In A Grace Disguised, Jerry Sittser describes his journey from the horrific tragedy of watching his wife, his mother, and his four-year-old daughter die on that dark and lonely road; sorting through overwhelming grief while tackling the practical, everyday challenges of caring for his remaining three children who also experienced the tragedy; grappling with tough questions about God, and finally finding a place of contentment, gratitude, and grace. The underlying theme throughout the book comes down to choices, as Sittser resolves

in his own heart and mind, how to deal with sorrow and loss, the question of why terrible, unexplained events happen, and how to deal with the difficult issue of forgiveness.
At the time of the tragedy Sittser is already a Christian, but even the strongest faith falters under the trauma of such a catastrophic event.

He is careful to acknowledge that there are all kinds of loss and suffering, different in type and intensity, yet loss and suffering all the same (pp. 31-32). Sittser’s admits he had led a blessed life prior to the accident compared to many or most people in the world. Perhaps that leads to even more surprise and devastation at such a loss. According to Sittser, “Sudden and tragic loss leads to terrible darkness” (p. 40). As he looks to God and examines the options, Sittser realizes he has a choice: he could either run from the darkness or embrace it. “In choosing to face the night, I took my first steps toward the sunrise,”

(p.52).
Because sorrow and loss are so much a part of life, at some point nearly everyone asks the age-old question, “Why do terrible, unexplained things happen to some people?” It is at this point where the Sittser finds himself in a rubber meets the road sort of discussion about faith. He needs to know if God is real and just what sort of God this is Who is supposed to be all loving and powerful, yet allows such suffering and chaos in the world. Sittser goes on to discuss his process of thought as he works through this age-old question which, in Sittser’s logic, ultimately comes down to the sovereignty of God. “God’s sovereignty allows us to believe that he is bigger than our circumstances and will make our lives better through those circumstances…. The point is that we have a choice,” (p. 157
Understanding that unfairness, suffering, and sorrow are a part of life, and recognizing that grace revealed can be the outcome and blessing are huge life lessons.

But, how does one come to a place of forgiveness toward the perpetrator of such anguish? Sittser says unforgiveness “is as ruinous as a plague,” (136). He explores what true forgiveness looks like and what it is not (pp. 132-146), and draws the conclusion, “In the end, I wonder whether it is really possible to forgive wrongdoers if we do not trust God first,” (p.146). When faced with the plague of unforgiveness or the gift of forgiveness, which “in the end brings freedom to the one who gives it” (p. 143), Sittser choses forgiveness, for his sake and that of his children

(p.142).
And so, the underlying theme throughout the book comes down to choices, as Sittser resolves in his own heart and mind, how to deal with sorrow and loss, the question of why terrible, unexplained events happen, and how to deal with the difficult issue of forgiveness. Sittser’s honest revelation of his questions and emotions as he works through his own tragedy, highlighted by examples of the struggles and trials of others, he underlines the fact that life is not easy, even with strong and determined faith in God. However, his final conclusion is that by facing the hardships, embracing the pain, choosing forgiveness and trusting God, we find grace for we would not experience otherwise, A Grace Disguised.