Accidentally thinking horrid thoughts?

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Butaperson

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Ok, so I’ve been struggling with this a while. It’s difficult to say, but basically these horrible, sacrilegious thoughts keep entering my mind, not by my consent. I have a bad habit, whenever I think of what I should do, I think of what i shouldn’t do, and then my mind thinks it’s a fun time to imagine what the worst thing I could possibly do would be. Then I’m horrified that I imagined that worst possible thing, and once that happens I’ve focused in on the thought, and now it’s stuck there. Then once it’s stuck there I keep trying to say “Don’t think of that don’t think of that don’t think of that” and long story short that doesn’t work.

So these horrible images are plaguing my mind and, you know, the longer it goes on the more impossible it is not to think of it. So now I’m trying new methods of not trying not to think about it and ect ectect It’s working ok.

I don’t think this is mortal sin, since trust me when I say there are times I feel I would rather slit my own throat than keep thinking these things. But I know it’s offensive, even if I don’t want to do it. Do you think I ought to confess it? Do you think I NEED to confess it? If so, do I need to go into legit detail about what I thought or can I just say you know, “I keep accidentally imagining doing these sacrilegious things”, maybe explain that the reason for this is simply because I try not to.

Please help.
 
Butaperson said:
Ok, so I’ve been struggling with this a while. It’s difficult to say, but basically these horrible, sacrilegious thoughts keep entering my mind, not by my consent. I have a bad habit, whenever I think of what I should do, I think of what i shouldn’t do, and then my mind thinks it’s a fun time to imagine what the worst thing I could possibly do would be. Then I’m horrified that I imagined that worst possible thing, and once that happens I’ve focused in on the thought, and now it’s stuck there. Then once it’s stuck there I keep trying to say “Don’t think of that don’t think of that don’t think of that” and long story short that doesn’t work.

So these horrible images are plaguing my mind and, you know, the longer it goes on the more impossible it is not to think of it. So now I’m trying new methods of not trying not to think about it and ect ectect It’s working ok.

I don’t think this is mortal sin, since trust me when I say there are times I feel I would rather slit my own throat than keep thinking these things. But I know it’s offensive, even if I don’t want to do it. Do you think I ought to confess it? Do you think I NEED to confess it? If so, do I need to go into legit detail about what I thought or can I just say you know, “I keep accidentally imagining doing these sacrilegious things”, maybe explain that the reason for this is simply because I try not to.

Please help.
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Dear OP:

“Freewill” controls our actions, not necessarily our minds. The mind leads your life, and in doing so, moves ahead of the rest of you, body and will included.

In fact, our mind is so made that trying to suppress a thought process brings it forward instead, as you have found. Everybody deals with this; it is part of the great mystery that is the human psychikon soma.

Having such thought patterns is not a sin, particularly as you try to control them but can’t. Mention it in passing to your confessor, but do not be ashamed because of it.

ICXC NIKA
 
It’s not a sin. AT ALL. I still suffer from mild scrupulosity, so I know how you feel. Don’t worry about these thoughts. Tell your confessor about them though, not as in “hey, Father, I have sinned by having these thoughts” but more like “hey Father, sometimes I have these NONSINFUL thoughts. Please give me advice and prayers”.

Pax Christ,
SandwichOrder

I will pray for you.
 
hi,
some one posted this experiment: let’s try it again:
Don’t think of an apple…pause…scroll down please…

so i suppose that is exactly what you thought of-that apple…
sorry to be too pedantic…this is a long shot as a guess, as follows: my old psychology professor said that people’s brain waves begin to match as soon as a crowd gathers, for instance, in a room…that there are alpha and beta waves-then, in theory-perhaps, the crowd matches to the beta waves…(you did say -horror?)
i suspect my professor he knew what he was talking about-backed by research…Is the situation worse around people…? if so, how about this idea to experiment-go alone in the woods-to get away, take a walk-be in nature…perhaps, there is a different nature there to be found…there is a type of prayer called silent prayer…sometimes called centering prayer…it is said to occur and then a person can be at peace/ to feel peaceful…which is your goal, right?in the woods, listen to sounds far away, draw closer,listen to sounds near…a falling leaf; draw your thoughts to the center…rely on your baptism and sacraments-perhaps, the nature of the spiritual heart (and related desires) is like a clock’s pendulum… making one moment to recognize chasing away God…yet, swinging again at the heart’s content to know divine love…so, experiment! thx patrick (and oh-don’t forget to tell God that you love him.)
 
Butaperson said:
Ok, so I’ve been struggling with this a while. It’s difficult to say, but basically these horrible, sacrilegious thoughts keep entering my mind, not by my consent. I have a bad habit, whenever I think of what I should do, I think of what i shouldn’t do, and then my mind thinks it’s a fun time to imagine what the worst thing I could possibly do would be. Then I’m horrified that I imagined that worst possible thing, and once that happens I’ve focused in on the thought, and now it’s stuck there. Then once it’s stuck there I keep trying to say “Don’t think of that don’t think of that don’t think of that” and long story short that doesn’t work.

So these horrible images are plaguing my mind and, you know, the longer it goes on the more impossible it is not to think of it. So now I’m trying new methods of not trying not to think about it and ect ectect It’s working ok.

I don’t think this is mortal sin, since trust me when I say there are times I feel I would rather slit my own throat than keep thinking these things. But I know it’s offensive, even if I don’t want to do it. Do you think I ought to confess it? Do you think I NEED to confess it? If so, do I need to go into legit detail about what I thought or can I just say you know, “I keep accidentally imagining doing these sacrilegious things”, maybe explain that the reason for this is simply because I try not to.

Please help.
Click to expand...
I can relate. I’ve been dealing with the kind of thoughts you’ve described for a decade. Don’t think it’s been a non-stop battle of having horrible thoughts nearly 24/7 and trying to resist them, though. When they started during my late childhood and persisted throughout my adolescence, I struggled for several years but everything became increasingly easier as time went on. A LOT easier.

Have you heard of OCD and scrupulosity? In a nutshell, OCD is a psychological disorder that results in compulsive actions and intrusive/obsessive thoughts and scrupulosity is the religious form of OCD. It’s normal to have “pure O” OCD, which means that you only have intrusive/obsessive thoughts (hence the “O”) and no compulsive actions. It sounds like you may have both or either one of these conditions, and being aware of it is the first step in combating the thoughts.

As for confessing, it’s not absolutely necessary since these thoughts are not mortal sin at all, but you may find it helpful to confess them anyway. I do and it’s a huge relief, both for myself and to say sorry to God that these offenses are happening in me. I would also recommend going to regular confession, if possible.

Above all, fill your days with constructive and absorbing activities. Remember: “idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Pray often, as often as you can, even and especially when you feel ashamed and unworthy. Rely on God’s mercy and love and don’t let Him be limited by scrupulous tendencies. Receive the Eucharist every Sunday as a minimum.

I hope this helps. You’re in my prayers.
 
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