ONLY THE SAVIOR CAN MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS OUR HUMAN PROBLEMS

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.

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.