The theory of providence was a corner stone of stoic philosophy. Stoicism does not teach us to suck it up and bear the adverse circumstances, which are an inevitable part of life. The practice of stoicism entails sent to providence because the providential cosmos requires our willing participation so we can become what nature intends. As epictetus points out in discourses, one six hercules was moulded by his challenges. Without the lion hydra bore and the unjust and brutal men hercules, true nature would never have been known. Those trials revealed his greatness. Likewise, our trials mould us and reveal our excellence of character.