The likelihood of someone embracing stoicism has a lot to do with temperament. Some of us (myself included) are more passive, therefore would be more inclined to accept situations. Others who are more controlling would resist that approach to life. Acceptance comes much harder for them because they would be inclined to think they can control everything if they try hard enough. Some subconsciously think they can prevent negative outcomes if they worry enough.

Personally, I find the first and third principles fairly easy to implement in daily life. Anyone who has a disordered attachment to something will lack the discipline to restrain their immediate pleasure in favour of a good outcome in the, perhaps distant, future. The obesity epidemic provides abundant evidence of this. How many of us use food, alcohol, or social media to distract us from our anxiety?

I agree that how we view events, not the events themselves, is what causes suffering. I know that nothing can happen to me that God does not allow. Even if it’s painful, God is allowing it because, in His love for me, He wants to use this event to further purify and transform my soul.

When difficult things happen to me, my first response is to spend time alone with Him in a loving, trusting silence. I know from experience that, no matter what He allows to happen and however absent He may seem, He is closer than I realize. He is giving me every moment, all the grace and strength I need for every challenge He puts in my path.