A true conversion?

[iwillrisenow]

I was recently praying on a vocation-related issue and my eyes have been opened with regards to some problems that lie deep in my heart. I struggle with some issues of pride/jealousy (e.g.- I can’t sincerely be happy for other people when they are blessed with something that I hope for, like a sturdy job or spouse and always feeling in competition with others for recognition and love) and realize that I cannot be good for another person in a relationship until I work it out. The trouble is, I’m not sure what to do in order to improve in this area. These feelings have been with me for as long as I can remember. A Bible verse about “carnal Christians” came up which has called into question my conversion-- why do I still struggle with these things? Why can’t I be like all the others who can really truly feel another person’s joy as a “win” for the Body even in their own sufferings? Alternatively, it could be a call for me to reexamine some worldly views on love and relationships.

Has anyone else struggled with this particular issue? What has helped?

Please pray for me if you can. Thank you and God Bless.

 

[Lainey63]

I know exactly what you’re going through! What has worked for me is being grateful to God. I started by making a gratitude list, I did that when I was stuck with my miserable self it didn’t make me feel better right away but it got me started on the right path. The best place is to start where ever you’re at no place is the wrong place.

The more I practiced, the more grateful I started to become and the more peace I felt. Also, learning and practicing surrendering my will to God’s and knowing that I will get what I need…not necessarily what I want.

That’s what has helped me tremendously and I have to do this everyday and try my best to be on guard against my self-centeredness. I have learned that when I am grateful and contented with what I have, then I am genuinely happy for another’s good fortune

 

[Carlan]

I was recently praying on a vocation-related issue and my eyes have been opened with regards to some problems that lie deep in my heart. I struggle with some issues of pride/jealousy (e.g.- I can’t sincerely be happy for other people when they are blessed with something that I hope for, like a sturdy job or spouse and always feeling in competition with others for recognition and love) and realize that I cannot be good for another person in a relationship until I work it out. The trouble is, I’m not sure what to do in order to improve in this area. These feelings have been with me for as long as I can remember. A Bible verse about “carnal Christians” came up which has called into question my conversion-- why do I still struggle with these things? Why can’t I be like all the others who can really truly feel another person’s joy as a “win” for the Body even in their own sufferings? Alternatively, it could be a call for me to reexamine some worldly views on love and relationships.

Has anyone else struggled with this particular issue? What has helped?

Please pray for me if you can. Thank you and God Bless.

As we grow in holiness in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, He reveals to us these deep seated faults and tendencies we have as part of our human nature. It is a life long process of purification.We are to become perfect as Christ is perfect. We have been given the wonderful life changing gifts of grace,the seven sacraments, to help us to persevere in our growth so as to become the children the Father requires us to be. God bless you IWillRise, I will pray. Peace, Carlan

 

[JRKH]

Sorry I don’t have a great deal to offer here, but I will give what I have.

I have found that the biggest reason for such faults (Pride, Envy, Greed) is not appreciating the Great gifts that God has given us. Sort of a “grass is greener” syndrome…

We have life, home, food, plus we have friends/family, work, health, faith, the Eucharist…The list goes on and on…

There is also a tendancy to often times to look at the good things of others and not pay notice the “offsetting factors”. No one’s life is perfect.
How many times have you looked at a person and thought “they sure have it all” and yet that person is never happy, always grousing etc…Yet other people seem to have little, or are burdended with troubles and yes take it all in stride…

I guess that what I’m trying to get at is that it is all a matter of perspective and observation.
Try to cultivate a greatful heart. Think daily about one thing that God has given you. The basic things, the not so basic and the wonderful. Think too about how blessed you are even in your hardships for they build character.

And of course keep praying and contemplating on these matters.

Peace
James

 

[Stylites]

Sorry I don’t have a great deal to offer here, but I will give what I have.

I have found that the biggest reason for such faults (Pride, Envy, Greed) is not appreciating the Great gifts that God has given us. Sort of a “grass is greener” syndrome…

We have life, home, food, plus we have friends/family, work, health, faith, the Eucharist…The list goes on and on…

There is also a tendancy to often times to look at the good things of others and not pay notice the “offsetting factors”. No one’s life is perfect.
How many times have you looked at a person and thought “they sure have it all” and yet that person is never happy, always grousing etc…Yet other people seem to have little, or are burdended with troubles and yes take it all in stride…

I guess that what I’m trying to get at is that it is all a matter of perspective and observation.
Try to cultivate a greatful heart. Think daily about one thing that God has given you. The basic things, the not so basic and the wonderful. Think too about how blessed you are even in your hardships for they build character.

And of course keep praying and contemplating on these matters.

Peace
James

You don’t have a great deal to offer? It was all a great deal you had offered, JRKH!

 

[marica_mandic]

I know exactly what you’re going through! What has worked for me is being grateful to God. I started by making a gratitude list, I did that when I was stuck with my miserable self it didn’t make me feel better right away but it got me started on the right path. The best place is to start where ever you’re at no place is the wrong place.

The more I practiced, the more grateful I started to become and the more peace I felt. Also, learning and practicing surrendering my will to God’s and knowing that I will get what I need…not necessarily what I want.

That’s what has helped me tremendously and I have to do this everyday and try my best to be on guard against my self-centeredness. I have learned that when I am grateful and contented with what I have, then I am genuinely happy for another’s good fortune

Beautiful. God love all people.Me,you,other, if God love you,then I must also love you. Because God is true, the best solution, so I pick tehe best solution, and that is love you.

 

[Monica4316]

I was recently praying on a vocation-related issue and my eyes have been opened with regards to some problems that lie deep in my heart. I struggle with some issues of pride/jealousy (e.g.- I can’t sincerely be happy for other people when they are blessed with something that I hope for, like a sturdy job or spouse and always feeling in competition with others for recognition and love) and realize that I cannot be good for another person in a relationship until I work it out. The trouble is, I’m not sure what to do in order to improve in this area. These feelings have been with me for as long as I can remember. A Bible verse about “carnal Christians” came up which has called into question my conversion-- why do I still struggle with these things? Why can’t I be like all the others who can really truly feel another person’s joy as a “win” for the Body even in their own sufferings? Alternatively, it could be a call for me to reexamine some worldly views on love and relationships.

Has anyone else struggled with this particular issue? What has helped?

Please pray for me if you can. Thank you and God Bless.

Hi, I’m sorry I don’t really have any great advice, except that if you don’t consent to these thoughts, then you are not sinning and you can trust God to give you the grace to overcome them eventually meanwhile, be patient, pray and try your best… God bless

 

[iwillrisenow]

I thought it might be a good idea to go to Confession with this issue…well…the priest just basically said that I must not love God, otherwise I wouldn’t have these issues. I cried. Maybe I should not be in this faith. I don’t think it really took to me like it does to other people. I can’t change the way I feel. Either God gives us the grace to be superCatholic. Or He doesn’t. I do not have that grace.

 

[iwillrisenow]

Beautiful. God love all people.Me,you,other, if God love you,then I must also love you. Because God is true, the best solution, so I pick tehe best solution, and that is love you.

See, this is where I’m confused. Because the message I’ve been getting from Church is that God loves the worst of the sinners most of all. He loves the saints. But those of us in the middle? The ones who fear they may be “lukewarm” and cast out (I think I was just cast out by that priest)? Not so much.

I don’t know if I will ever have that absolute faith where I believe 100% and have absolutely no doubts. I don’t know if I can become a Christian “Pollyanna” with the sort of unfailing faith that prevents any and all of life’s blows from effecting me. If that is not good enough for the Church, perhaps I don’t belong in it. What’s the point of trying if it’s not good enough? Why not just forget about everything and join the rest of the all-out sinners?

 

[Carlan]

See, this is where I’m confused. Because the message I’ve been getting from Church is that God loves the worst of the sinners most of all. He loves the saints. But those of us in the middle? The ones who fear they may be “lukewarm” and cast out (I think I was just cast out by that priest)? Not so much.

I don’t know if I will ever have that absolute faith where I believe 100% and have absolutely no doubts. I don’t know if I can become a Christian “Pollyanna” with the sort of unfailing faith that prevents any and all of life’s blows from effecting me. If that is not good enough for the Church, perhaps I don’t belong in it. What’s the point of trying if it’s not good enough? Why not just forget about everything and join the rest of the all-out sinners?

Please don’t give up, God does love us , he created us for himself ,He is asking us to trust Him,pray for that gift without ceasing, I promise it will come.
I don’t understand your priest, he is there in Persona Christi, for forgiveness and absolution, perhaps there was misunderstanding. Talk to another priest. We love you and we want you to be happy and at peace.God bless you, Carlan

 

[iwillrisenow]

I don’t know what happened with the priest-- I’ve never experienced anything like it, though I’ve encountered a number of priests with a number of different personalities. He really was saying that I shouldn’t be struggling with this and shouldn’t “keep coming back week after week” (the last time I went to confession with that priest was a month ago and with totally different matters…I don’t think it is abuse of the Sacrament on my part). It may actually be more of a personal issue with him. I went to the Mass he said last week and got something of a negative vibe-- the homily was extra long and he went off on something of a fire-and-brimstone rant (I believe I know the difference between a firm message in that vein and crossing the line). I don’t think I will be back at that particular Mass nor will I be seeking Reconciliation at that parish in the future.

I’m a bit calmer now that I’ve stepped away from the situation and am trying not to let recent bad experiences with fellow Catholics get me down too much. It’s been a rough week spiritually and emotionally and this was icing on the horribleness cake…please pray for me, I will try Mass at a new parish tomorrow (still seeking one in my new city).

 

[JRKH]

See, this is where I’m confused. Because the message I’ve been getting from Church is that God loves the worst of the sinners most of all. He loves the saints. But those of us in the middle? The ones who fear they may be “lukewarm” and cast out (I think I was just cast out by that priest)? Not so much.

Heres is the thing. God does not Love “the worst sinners most of all”. God loves all equally. Saints and sinners…But what He really loves is our efforts.
I mean think about it for a minute…Not even saints are perfect. Yet God loved them. Why? Christ speaks in the Gospels of the rejoicing that occurs in heaven over the repentance of a single sinner? Why?
The answer is the same in both cases…Not due to some aspect of their particular station or circumstance, but because of their effort and desire to repent and improve. It is the effort, and the improvements that flow from that effort, that pleases God and also helps us avoid “lukewarmness”.

I don’t know if I will ever have that absolute faith where I believe 100% and have absolutely no doubts.

Well if you ever DO reach that 100%, write and share it with me will ya…Heck I have doubts nearly every day…

I don’t know if I can become a Christian “Pollyanna” with the sort of unfailing faith that prevents any and all of life’s blows from effecting me.

I hope you never do either. Life’s blows are suppose to effect us. We are suppose to grow.
Mother Angelica tells a story in the little bood of life lessons that a wise older lady said to her, “When the Lord sends you tribulations, He expects you to Tribulate!”
How wise this is!! God sends us these things to perfect us. If we have the courage.

If that is not good enough for the Church, perhaps I don’t belong in it. What’s the point of trying if it’s not good enough? Why not just forget about everything and join the rest of the all-out sinners?

Who has told you it’s not good enough…God?
Ever hear of the Boston Marathon? Ever seen the beginning of that race?
Huge numbers of people heading off down the 25 mile course. Of course they don’t cross the finish all bunched up like they start…No they stagger in one, two, four, at a time…And even hours after the winner crosses the finish line there are still folks coming in, trotting, staggering, walking, even some in wheelchairs, on prostetics, sometimes even crutches or braces of some kind. Did these win? The record books might not say so, but they know they won. They know that they persevered. They know that their effort was not in vain. If you finish the race, then the effort is good enough.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

I don’t know what happened with the priest-- I’ve never experienced anything like it, though I’ve encountered a number of priests with a number of different personalities. He really was saying that I shouldn’t be struggling with this and shouldn’t “keep coming back week after week” (the last time I went to confession with that priest was a month ago and with totally different matters…I don’t think it is abuse of the Sacrament on my part). It may actually be more of a personal issue with him. I went to the Mass he said last week and got something of a negative vibe-- the homily was extra long and he went off on something of a fire-and-brimstone rant (I believe I know the difference between a firm message in that vein and crossing the line). I don’t think I will be back at that particular Mass nor will I be seeking Reconciliation at that parish in the future.

Appreciate your update on this. It is true that it can take some time and experimentation to find a priest who is a good fit. Glad taht you will be looking around for a confessor who is a better fit.

I’m a bit calmer now that I’ve stepped away from the situation and am trying not to let recent bad experiences with fellow Catholics get me down too much. It’s been a rough week spiritually and emotionally and this was icing on the horribleness cake…please pray for me, I will try Mass at a new parish tomorrow (still seeking one in my new city).

Consider yourself prayed for.
Keep in touch.

Peace
James

 

[Carlan]

Heres is the thing. God does not Love “the worst sinners most of all”. God loves all equally. Saints and sinners…But what He really loves is our efforts.
I mean think about it for a minute…Not even saints are perfect. Yet God loved them. Why? Christ speaks in the Gospels of the rejoicing that occurs in heaven over the repentance of a single sinner? Why?
The answer is the same in both cases…Not due to some aspect of their particular station or circumstance, but because of their effort and desire to repent and improve. It is the effort, and the improvements that flow from that effort, that pleases God and also helps us avoid “lukewarmness”.

Well if you ever DO reach that 100%, write and share it with me will ya…Heck I have doubts nearly every day…

I hope you never do either. Life’s blows are suppose to effect us. We are suppose to grow.
Mother Angelica tells a story in the little bood of life lessons that a wise older lady said to her, “When the Lord sends you tribulations, He expects you to Tribulate!”
How wise this is!! God sends us these things to perfect us. If we have the courage.

**Who has told you it’s not good enough…God?
Ever hear of the Boston Marathon? Ever seen the beginning of that race?
Huge numbers of people heading off down the 25 mile course. Of course they don’t cross the finish all bunched up like they start…No they stagger in one, two, four, at a time…And even hours after the winner crosses the finish line there are still folks coming in, trotting, staggering, walking, even some in wheelchairs, on prostetics, sometimes even crutches or braces of some kind. Did these win? The record books might not say so, but they know they won. They know that they persevered. They know that their effort was not in vain. If you finish the race, then the effort is good enough.

Peace
James**

Great analogy James:thumbsup:! Peace, Carlan

 

[CB_Catholic]

There is no such thing as a “Super Catholic”. We are all–and I mean every single one of us–sinners. Even the most devout. Even the Pope. And we all are struggling with something. The only exceptions are Jesus and His Mother.

You are not expected to be perfect. You are expected to be faithful, and to make the effort to grow in your faith. Growth takes time. And when you’ve conquered one thing, there is always something else that needs worked on. A priest once gave me some very good counseling when I discussed a problem of a similar nature with him. He told me that God is not comparing me to others. His plan for me is unique and I need to follow His will for me, and not compare myself to others.

The Grace of God is what helps us overcome our struggles. Pray for that Grace. We cannot conquer things under our own power–we need God’s Grace. Keep praying for it, and keep on being faithful. And give yourself time to grow in holiness.

 

[iwillrisenow]

Thank you to all who’ve responded to this post. Just to give a little update…I went to Mass at the new church last week and it was wonderful…just the right vibe, good mix of young, old (seems like plenty of twenty-somethings, my age group), families and singles…I’m looking forward to returning there for Easter Mass tomorrow Also, I met someone along the way who came along after having been away from church for a while…I don’t know if I will see him again, but…please pray for J.

Back on the subject of superCatholic…it’s funny, but I met something of that sort on the way home just this evening…there was an older man who was carrying a Catholic study bible and a rosary and eagerly trying to minister to people on the bus (most of whom shifted uncomfortably or ignored him). Then he came over to me and starting going on about the Church and what we have that Protestants don’t (he knew I was Catholic b/c he asked where I was going to church on Easter and I told him…awkwardly…I’m not very good with these types of random encounters ), not being shy and Jesus said proclaim the gospel and that sort of thing. Now, being an introvert, I’ve always felt like people (American culture, Christians from any denomination who are really into extroverted evangelization, etc.) think something is wrong with you if you’re not expressing yourself in an extroverted manner. For anyone reading…what has been your experience of this? Does Jesus call us all to be extroverts, evangelizing on buses, quoting Bible verses, etc…or are the more introverted ways of living out our faith (e.g.- adoration, Mass, smaller group bible studies and ministries) enough for Him?

Happy Easter! :heaven:

 

[JRKH]

…
…For anyone reading…what has been your experience of this? Does Jesus call us all to be extroverts, evangelizing on buses, quoting Bible verses, etc…or are the more introverted ways of living out our faith (e.g.- adoration, Mass, smaller group bible studies and ministries) enough for Him?

Happy Easter! :heaven:

God calls different people to different ministries. We are all called to share the Gospel, but in different ways. The first and best way in by living our faith in Love.

Peace
James

 

[marica_mandic]

I was recently praying on a vocation-related issue and my eyes have been opened with regards to some problems that lie deep in my heart. I struggle with some issues of pride/jealousy (e.g.- I can’t sincerely be happy for other people when they are blessed with something that I hope for, like a sturdy job or spouse and always feeling in competition with others for recognition and love) and realize that I cannot be good for another person in a relationship until I work it out. The trouble is, I’m not sure what to do in order to improve in this area. These feelings have been with me for as long as I can remember. A Bible verse about “carnal Christians” came up which has called into question my conversion-- why do I still struggle with these things? Why can’t I be like all the others who can really truly feel another person’s joy as a “win” for the Body even in their own sufferings? Alternatively, it could be a call for me to reexamine some worldly views on love and relationships.

Has anyone else struggled with this particular issue? What has helped?

Please pray for me if you can. Thank you and God Bless.

I have the same problem.
I now try to change my thoughts, I try to rise my confidence in myself, and try to be glad when another rise also.
For example,now you think about your sin,you are in the way to resolve your sins forever, and I am glad. With that you will solve your fear also.
Happy Easter1