The following is an excerpt from a Theology paper by Michelle Anduiza of Adore Praise & Worship, written for her Master's in Theology final on Catholicism and Stoicism.
In the world today, many people anxiously struggle with the tension between controlling every aspect of their lives and surrendering to something greater. The virtue of humility, particularly trust in God’s divine providence, and surrendering control offers profound wisdom and peace to our contemporary world. While modern culture promotes individual autonomy/self-reliance, and the belief that we control our destiny, the Catholic Church teaches that true peace and freedom come from surrendering everything to the Will of God. Similarly, the Stoic philosopher Epictetus emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between what is within our control and what is not in I order to obtain inner tranquility. This Stoic teaching aligns with Catholic principles of humility and trust in God, encouraging people to let go of the need to pursue a more robust theological anthropology, one that is rooted in trust, peace, and humility in the face of adversity.
The Stoic tradition, particularly the teachings of Epictetus, offers deep wisdom that remains highly relevant to our contemporary world. Epictetus teaches that true freedom comes from recognizing the limits of our control. As he write, “Some things are within our control, and somethings are not. It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and cannot control that inner tranquility and outer effectiveness becomes possible” (Lebell 1994, 3). This principle can reshape how we navigate the modern world.
The Eudaimonistic account of virtues, like humility, teaches us that living a fulfilling life does not come from striving for control over everything, but from learning to surrender to God’s will and embracing the limitations of our human nature. By applying this to our everyday lives, we can cultivate peace in the midst of a society that often demands more control, more certainty, and more self-reliance. In a recent team formation meeting the topic of surrender was discussed amongst the group. Many of the participants reflected on times in their lives when they grappled with surrendering and letting go of control. Everyone agreed that, while surrendering is often easier said than done, its rewards are immeasurable when achieved. As the discussion ended, it pointed to the truth of the matter which was that: you do not have to do everything on your own. Believing that you have to do everything on your own is a lie that stems from pride. St. Thomas Aquinas states, “While humility leads us to submit ourselves to God, pride, on the contrary, can be the cause that we do not submit ourselves” (Elders 2019, 293). The act of submitting to God is an honorable one that desires, “Jesus I trust in You” and I am confident in Your promises.”
As I reflect on my personal challenge with control, I find that both the Stoic and Catholic virtues offer a meaningful path toward human flourishing. Epictetus teaches us that by accepting life’s limits and inevitabilities and working with them rather than fighting them, we become free. This idea aligns with St. Thomas Aquinas’s teaching that “virtues find their perfection in weakness…a virtue shows best by making us act well in difficulties despite personal weakness” (Elders 2019, 148). This difficult yet rewarding disposition to surrender to divine providence and humbling oneself to accept things as they are not only leads to inner peace but also to the healing of broken relationships. The balance between accepting what is beyond our control and exercising the virtues of patience and forgiveness is essential for personal growth and overcoming relational challenges.
Both Epictetus and St. Thomas Aquinas, in their distinct ways, encourage us to embrace the beauty of weakness and humility as necessary steps toward true freedom and flourishing. From my own life journey, I have come to realize that virtues, like humility, are not learned merely through theoretic understanding or by wishing for them. Instead, Aristotle wisely teaches in Nicomachean Ethics that virtues flourish by engaging in the activities that build them. “So too, by doing just things we become just; moderate things moderate; and courageous things courageous” (Collins 2011, 26). This speaks directly to the reality that virtues are obtained through experience, often in difficult situations that test and refine us.
Not only in my own life but in the lives of many citizens on this earth, we have been tested and tried in difficult life experiences that refine and strengthen virtue. It was only in facing these trials head-on and going through moments when surrendering control seemed impossible that the strength to forgive. To reconcile, and to ultimately trust God is established. Just as one learns to be a builder by building, I came to understand humility not as a concept to grasp, but as a virtue shaped through the trials of life. It is like when people say. “be careful what you pray for,” because if you ask for patience, you might just find yourself in situations that require it.
To capture the essence of letting go, Epictetus writes “Regardless of what is going on around you, make the best of what is in your power, and take the rest as it occurs” (Lebell 1994, 108). This quote highlights the reality of our human limitation of power and to come to accept what is in and out of our control because it is not worth the torment. For me, it was not until I embraced this wisdom that I found true acceptance and peace. Surrender does not mean passive resignation, rather it is an active choice to engage with what we can change, while entrusting everything else to God’s Will.
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In Christ,
Adore Praise & Worship
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