A Stoic wrote to a Stoic-advice blog:
·
“Before I
discovered Stoicism, many years ago, I struggled with an addiction…Yet no
amount of realization seemed to make the situation better. If anything it made
it worse.
But
once I entered a 12 step program they taught me that the first step was to
realize my powerlessness over the addiction. That was transformative, and the
program is what brought me relief and “sobriety” from the addiction. Of course,
there is more to it, but admitting my powerlessness over the direct addiction,
whilst simultaneously strengthening my resolve to work around the addiction, made
the difference. Some actions I could control: working the steps, making amends,
talking to my sponsor, reporting on progress, daily journaling, going to
meetings, helping others, etc.
Now
that I face other (less destructive, but emotionally turbulent all the same)
addictions, and after losing my belief in a higher power and trying to act
according to Stoic virtue, I find myself in a state of not progressing again.
Mostly I just really hate myself for how badly I’m failing to live up to Stoic
ideals and a virtuous life…it almost seems, paradoxically, that for me
attempting to exert control over the addictive behavior is counterproductive
and makes it worse.”
I think that this account is illuminating in many ways. For
one thing, it confirms the Biblical understanding that we cannot change
ourselves without God (John 15:4-5). Paul had written that one of the reasons
that God had given us the law was to show us our helplessness in achieving
moral goodness and merit. Instead, the law of God should humble us and show us
our need of the Savior:
·
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks
to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the
whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human
being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of
sin. (Romans 3:19-20; ESV)
Ironically, it is this sufferer who has come to the truth of
our humbling human existence, finding that he is helpless to change himself.
While such a realization is terribly painful, it is also the truth that many
seek to deny through rationalizations, positive affirmations, and “success”
experiences.
Sadly, this sufferer turned away from a belief in a Higher
Power, which had been working for him. Why? We don’t know. However, it is a
choice. Even the most militant atheists acknowledge that there is no proof or
evidence against the existence of a God. Instead of pursuing the identity of
this Higher Power, the sufferer rejected Him, perhaps because he was beginning
to once again feel in control of his life.
I largely respect Stoic principles. They are largely in
harmony with Biblical principles and even with the law of God. However, instead
of these principles making us virtuous, they show us how unvirtuous we are as
we try to follow them. This should lead us into the same self-despair as it has
this sufferer, and hopefully, this should lead us to find relief in the Savior.
What words of comfort could the Stoic-advisor offer? Simply that Stoicism is a philosophy of life and not a therapy! Instead, he would need “professional” help.
What words of comfort could the Stoic-advisor offer? Simply that Stoicism is a philosophy of life and not a therapy! Instead, he would need “professional” help.
Is it simply the BELIEF in a Higher Power that is able to
make the difference? Perhaps temporarily. I think that our Lord sprinkles rose
pedals in our path to lead us to the real Rose, like a lover following the
scent to his beloved. While he might not be in sight of the beloved, he joyously
anticipates her presence. However, he might be lured away by another scent.
Jesus had told a parable about a sower who had sown seeds on
different soils. One soil had received the seed with joy where it germinated. However,
other concerns caused him to eventually reject the seedling, like this
sufferer.
What happens to people who continue on the path of Stoicism,
pursuing virtue? Somehow, they need to compensate for their moral discouragements,
but how? Some will become depressed and leave. Others will flatter themselves that
their philosophy of life is superior to others, and others will actually
convince themselves that they are more virtuous than non-Stoics. This is a
human wound that needs a divine dressing.
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