I was at Aldi a couple days ago. It is one of three grocery stores I shop at on occasion.
I was looking for a particular item in the frozen food section. This middle-aged woman turned around and placed an item in her cart and then decided, for whatever reason, to converse with me. After about five minutes, she said that I came across as a “stoic” person. I had heard the term before, but was not really sure of the meaning.
After arriving home and putting the groceries away, I went online to research this word.
“Search assist” stated that, “A stoic is a person who accepts what happens without complaining or showing emotion, or someone who is determined not to complain or show feelings, especially when facing hardship.”
Reading a bit more on the internet, I surmised that a stoic is portrayed as one who exhibits self-discipline and remains calm and composed, regardless of the situation.
I admit I was not always this way.
But, as I have matured in the faith, I have come to a realization that things have and are going to happen in my life that I have no control over. It has caused me to just shrug my shoulders and accept that God has allowed certain situations and events to occur.
If the circumstance has negative consequences, it causes me to trust God and draws me closer to Him. I must believe that He knows what He’s doing and what is best for me.
This reminds us of when God allowed Satan to test Job. Satan believed that Job would become unfaithful to God once the blessings and prosperity he received were removed/stopped.
Job chapter 1 mentions that Job had 7 sons, 3 daughters, 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants.
One by one, different servants came to him during one particular day. After Job was told that all of the above was taken away, Job said this: “… Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:21-22)
What a remarkable response! Could Job have reacted in a more stoic manner?
When bad situations occur, in no way should we believe that God’s love for us has diminished, but rather we need to remind ourselves that He has a purpose and plan for your life and mine, and that all things are working together for our good (Romans 8:28) and for His glory.
Ponder the words of this hymn, “All will be Well” by Mary B Peters, pub. 1847:
- Through the love of God our Savior,
All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favor;
All, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us;
Perfect is the grace that sealed us;
Strong the hand stretched out to shield us;
All must be well. - Though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well;
Ours is such a full salvation;
All, all is well.
Happy still in God confiding,
Fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy through the Spirit’s guiding,
All must be well. - We expect a bright tomorrow;
All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well.
On our Father’s love relying,
Christ our every need supplying,
Whether living now, or dying,
All must be well.