The feet to our grace

Just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors. 
-The Shack  

Isn't it true of our concepts in life that when a misfortune hits, we automatically assume that it was needed for our personal growth, or what is more, that something else caused it and that it is needed for our hardship. The need of some other's availability to blame. Beyond that, it is our right to grace when we have been wronged, or isn't that at least how we feel? Step past the range of vision we've been taught: we need to let it "roll off" and "rise above". That only camouflages our need to grow doesn't it? Although great concepts, do we actually ever attain the task? 

Being enveloped in the racing world, deluging through circuits, it is indeed very rewarding, but calamity is also duly involved.  I once thought that because of the excessive stakes in racing, it allowed great capability to grow in them, giving ample opportunity to succeed in an illustrious kind of suffering. The kind of suffering that would impact enough to reach awareness for the return of a changed society. As agreeable as my motives were, they would never reach an awaking and gripping change. It would never reach that point due to a lack of the basic foundation of grace. It would never resound in incredible good. If my motives were in the right place, and I had the "rise above" sort of outlook, why could I not reach this sector of suffering at a higher level? 

Suffering goes beyond the surface. It not only indulges in great emotional tugs, but it does something strange to our minds. Suffering is like those rose tented glasses you wear when your in love, except they aren't rose colored. Rather, they are grey and foggy and have a tendency to make us subside to a paradoxical self state. With the same token, our absence of certainty can push us to a greater meaning in life, but not in the same approach that we so often assume- that our tragedies were causes for our greater good; or, if I might be so bold, karma. I often wonder if my longing to suffer for a reason or for a better purpose in my mind was there to only cover up the real hurt and pain that was caused in the first place. That make my suffering only a disguise to gaining power to heal my own self. If this is true, then healing massively hinges on suffering, and grace is vanished because everything involved can be manipulated by our very own power. I don't know about you, but this thought process seems seriously wry. If everything hinges on our own power, then why is there bigger concepts and more meaning to the things unknown that we do not understand? I believe that this way of thinking will only lead to false notions. 

Suffering is not the anchor to life. It is a piece of life that is loathsome, and it is not essential to our ways of life. We do not need suffering to become the next football champion, or the best selling artist, nor do we need it to touch others in our life. We need the far opposite to achieve those. Unfortunately, suffering exists, it just is. That is where the greater grace is shown because where there is suffering, you will find grace. Not the other way around. You can undoubtably touch those through your sufferings and hardships, but it is the heart of understanding grace and the unfailing desire to follow that brings an awaking change to our world. It is the peace of knowing no matter where you are there you will find grace and love, even if you happen to be in the mists of suffering. Still yet, the suffering is our story, not our way to grace. 

Living by Faith,
Mianna