Partnerships on the Rocks: Partnerships on the Rocks, #2

By Lori Stith

Daily Situations, those unprepared-for disruptions, causing difficulty staying connected with GOD?
As Christians, we must be connected with God every moment of our existence.

"Seek the Lord and His strength; seek his presence continually!" 1 Chronicles 16:1

Learn how to use "caught off-guard" Situations to keep you firmly connected with God. Train with me for 4 consecutive months to learn my secret S-T-O-I-C meditation method using Wisdom; If you apply yourself, it will be a spiritually-transforming event that you, yourself, accomplished. And once learned, I want you to go teach others because that's what we Christians do.

"Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore, get wisdom and in all thy getting, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

Yes, Situations are obstacles, but obstacles ARE God's way to keep HIM in our mind Always. The obstacle becomes the way to God.

"Grow Closer to God with Each Situation Faced."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Blackwell
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201240691

Lori Stith

Lori Stith is the Stoicess and CEO of Stoic Matchmaker, LLC where she teaches the Stoicess’ S-T-O-I-C Storytelling Method using reflection with 5 sentences based on biblical teachings and the stoic virtues.

Book preview

MY PEOPLE

Another tough day?

I know.

Share your mind with me for a moment, and let’s get you back in control.

My People, Hear My Secret:

When faced with a situation, it’s the connection with God that strengthens your foundation.

It’s based on the words of the Book of Psalms and the Book of Joshua:

May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. Psalms 1:19

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

HERE’S THE STORYTELLING USING MY 5 SENTENCE S-T-O-I-C STORYTELLING® METHOD (Situation, Teaching, Outcome, Illumination, Character Trait):

(S) What’s all the hype about meditation?

(T) I will meditate on your precepts.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night.

(O) I need to find a meditation method that works.

(I) As a Christian, I realized I am commanded to meditate on God’s Word.

(C) I now desire to learn how to meditate on God’s Word.

AND NOW THE MINDSET:

DAILY SITUATIONS, THOSE UNPREPARED-FOR DISRUPTIONS, CAUSING DIFFICULTY STAYING CONNECTED WITH GOD?

Daily situations, those unprepared for disruptions, causing difficulty staying connected with God? As Christians, we must be connected with God every moment of our existence. Meditation – a requirement per the Bible – is without question the best approach to accomplish this perpetual connection. 

After studying the meditation literature, I developed a method for meditating on God’s Word that is situation-driven. Because the Christian begins with a problem relevant to their life, the application part of Bible study is much easier. In addition, my method helps solidify what was learned and applied. Telling others about your progress and applying the wisdom to your life ensures you won’t forget the learning.

Don’t believe me?

Here’s my first secret I want you to try.

The next time you are in the middle of a difficult situation face-to-face with a boss, colleague, or loved one, repeat the following words over and over in your mind while going through the heat of the situation:

It’s the Situation Keeping My Connection with Him.

It’s the Situation Keeping My Connection with Him.

It’s the Situation Keeping My Connection with Him.

....

And once you find the power of this repetition through being constantly connected to God, I want you to think about how much stronger you will be once you’ve anchored situation-driven Godly wisdom in your mind.

I call my method the Stoicess’ S-T-O-I-C Storytelling meditation method. The method is based on telling a story – Your Story – by addressing five (5) simple questions: (S) Situation, (T) Teaching, (O) Outcome, (I) Illumination, and (C) Character Trait Improved.

The story stays in your mind constantly for future use once you have journaled Your Story.

Any situation faced quickly brings that learning to your mind. You will be Empowered! You will be in Control! And it’s all because you know how to stay connected to God through whatever situation faced and have His wisdom solidly placed in your mind. It is a spiritually-transforming event.

The S-T-O-I-C Storytelling Method:

(S) Identify the burning situation

(T) Search the literature for applicable passages. Read the passage. Meditate on the passage taking mental note of what the passage highlights regarding your situation. Pray about what you just learned and the application to your situation.

(O) Decide on how you will apply the passage to your situation.

(I) Take a moment to read and reflect on what the passage says while inviting the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind.

(C) Write out the character trait you improved. 

It’s about training your mind to search that owner’s manual quickly to find an answer. Your answer.

Let’s now answer a few questions about meditation and how my method differs.

What is the initial step/stage for meditation? Is there a step-by-step instruction guide on how to do meditation? Is there a blueprint for meditation?

There is plenty of literature that tells you to read a verse or passage of Scripture and meditate on its meaning. It’s a passive approach, likened to casually reading a passage from your vehicle’s owner’s manual when no problem exists.

My method, the Stoicess’ S-T-O-I-C Storytelling meditation method is an active approach - it’s situation-driven. Life presents you with a situation burning inside of you for an answer.

My method teaches you how to search the Scripture and Stoic Virtues to find immediate answers most applicable, then you apply the answers and remember the resolution for life. It’s like teaching you how to search your vehicle’s owner’s manual quickly when a breakdown occurs to find a needed solution.

Is there something to work up to in meditation?

With my method, you must be willing to train. You must take time daily to search the literature for an answer to each situation bothering you.

You have to think deeply based on my S-T-O-I-C Storytelling method and write down (journal) your five sentences.  As time goes by, when a situation hits you like a brick during the day, you’ll have trained your mind in my method, and your Storytelling will unfold very quickly.

Can anybody meditate? For beginners, what is recommended?

With my S-T-O-I-C Storytelling method, anyone can meditate. My method works well with meditative prayer for deeper reflection on God and how the Word applies to your life situation. The method is for everyone—beginners and advanced practitioners.

Is meditation a mental thing?

Meditating on God’s Word is mental. With my S-T-O-I-C Storytelling method, you learn to accept head-on whatever situations life throws at you without anxiety.

You ARE connected to God constantly. With your connection, you develop confidence in yourself because you now know how to put on the full armor of God in your mind – God’s shield to protect you from the world’s meanness. You replace negative or sinful thoughts with an action plan based on God’s Word, His character, & His promises. Sin may knock on your door, but you know with your constant connection to Him that He is watching and ready to assist. You grow spiritually and transform into a stronger Christian each passing day.

For beginners, what is recommended?

To reiterate, my S-T-O-I-C Storytelling method is for everyone—new and seasoned practitioners.

How long should I meditate?

God commands you to meditate constantly. My method allows you to become nearer to God with each passing moment of life because the situations you’ll face each day never end.

What kind of location is desirable for meditation?

No specific location is needed because my method is situation-driven. As you practice my S-T-O-I-C Storytelling method daily, the faster you become at having your answer. You spend every waking moment in touch with God using my method – because those irritating situations never end. 

Is meditation a mind game? What are the results of meditation? Who will benefit the most from meditation?

Meditating on God’s Word is not a mind game to play on another. You become nearer to God with each passing moment of your life.

His Word is your armor. God hears your prayers, and He grants you insight and wisdom as He shows you the answer you diligently searched for. ("The prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16; The Lord’s eyes are on you; His ears are attentive to your prayers. 1 Peter 3:12).

You learn to place outcomes in God’s hands and let Him deal with those who attempt but now fail, to disturb your peace of mind while serving Him. You live successfully sending Pennies to Heaven for your future eternal life with God & Christ. It’s an eternal retirement plan worth investing in that I know of.

Can meditation eliminate the use of medication for mental treatment such as anxiety or mental illness?

By constantly staying in contact with God and meditating on His Word, anxiety is now removed from your life. It’s God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and YOU (a favored soldier of God) along with other God’s soldiers - the real Alpha Team - against Satan and Satan’s followers of the world... and those humans who want to destroy your peace in Christ.

For mental illnesses requiring medication, my S-T-O-I-C Storytelling method is an appropriate adjunct. My method helps Christians live in their identity in Christ. If you’ve been a Christian any length of time, you know that even though you’re now saved, you’re not perfect – that constant connection with God – that being closer to Him— IS our utmost desire. I believe and know that meditation for Christians that allows us to stay connected to God every waking moment is the answer to this riddle in life.

Yes, Situations are obstacles, but obstacles ARE God’s way to keep HIM in our mind Always. The obstacle becomes the way to God.

Remember: "It’s the Situation Keeping My Connection With Him."

As We Remain in God’s Hands,

Lori