Adjusting to a new life

  • Thread starter Thread starter lovedance4ever
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lovedance4ever

Guest
Hi everyone. I’m trying really hard to stay positive, and I actually shouldn’t be having as much trouble with it as I am right now…so I could definitely use some words of encouragement/advice.

Maybe a month or so ago, I asked for prayers regarding my faith. I reached a point where I was so angry at God for my loneliness and the constant bad that seemed to happen, that I found it nearly impossible to pray and attend mass. So one day, I was driving alone in the car and starting crying and yelling at God. Maybe that sounds stupid, but that is how it played out. Anyway, after this outburst, within five minutes, I received a text from my cousin (a second cousin, or something…don’t know her too well). I hadn’t heard from her in months, so you could have knocked me over with a feather when she contacted me. She asked if I wanted to hang out; again, something I rarely, if ever, hear someone else say to me.

From there, I’d say a good three or four times per week, she texts me and asks me to go to movies, lunches, dinners, etc. In addition, she’s introduced me to her friends, who have started exchanging numbers with me and inviting me places. These are good, Christian people too. So different from the immoral college environment I have been forced into. The blessings didn’t stop there, either. I also recently got a job working alongside some really lovely people.

At any rate, while I realize how much of a blessing this is from God, I am having a much more difficult time adjusting to it than I thought I would. I used to think it would be so easy to suddenly have friends. But having been so cooped up in my house, and limited to mostly family interactions, it’s almost like I have forgotten how to act with other people. I also have a very difficult time trusting others. The first thing that came to mind when my cousin started asking me to go here and there with her, was…“Why would she want me around? What’s the catch?” I guess there is no catch, but that’s very hard for me to accept.

Every outing causes me a great deal of anxiety, and there are times when it is almost unbearable. I don’t know how to handle such nice people. I wish I could just take it for what it is and finally be happy. I should be grateful to God for this incredible change in my life. But nevertheless, I still can’t trust. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, because from my experience, happiness is only temporary, and the happier I am, the more loss hurts. Why do I still feel absolutely miserable and alone, when in reality, I’m the furthest thing from it?

I have been seeing a counselor, so I definitely will continue to discuss these issues with her. But I’d like to hear a Catholic perspective. If you have any advice, I’d very much appreciate it. Prayers are always welcome as well…I’m still struggling a lot with my faith. I don’t want to feel numb toward Our Lord anymore.
 
Praying for you now. Keep praying about this, even when you don’t “feel” your prayers, just do it out of trust and obedience that God loves you so much that a poorly-said prayer from you is still precious to Him. Remind yourself that “We fight not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities”. You are in a spiritual battle. You were lonely, so people are reaching out to you, and the evil ones want you to go back to being lonely so you can hear their ruinous voices better. Pray as you get ready to go out. Pray the St. Michael prayer, too. Pray while you are out. If you are too troubled think of how to pray, you can repeat silently, “Jesus, have mercy on me.” or “Jesus, I trust in you.” Trust Him to help you through your troubled thoughts, He can and will even though you can’t see your way out of it while you are in it. “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.” Also ask Him to heal your heart. He heals hearts! :hug1:
 
It seems to me that you don’t know how to “be a friend”. You feel guilty because others are treating you as a friend when you don’t deserve it. But rejoice, those friends are a gift from God, so stop waiting for the other shoe to drop and BE a friend.

Call them and ask them to do something special. Take them out for ice cream. Text them and tell them what a great time you had the last time you were together. Do something to BE a friend. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel about yourself. Giving IS better than receiving.

In short Love is an action - not a feeling. It’s taken me a lifetime to figure that out. I always felt Love for my children, but without action, it is nothing to them.

I hope this helps. I thank God that He put those friends into your life. Rejoice and Be glad!

Peace,
John Marie Philomena
 
It seems to me that you don’t know how to “be a friend”. You feel guilty because others are treating you as a friend when you don’t deserve it. But rejoice, those friends are a gift from God, so stop waiting for the other shoe to drop and BE a friend.

Call them and ask them to do something special. Take them out for ice cream. Text them and tell them what a great time you had the last time you were together. Do something to BE a friend. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel about yourself. Giving IS better than receiving.

In short Love is an action - not a feeling. It’s taken me a lifetime to figure that out. I always felt Love for my children, but without action, it is nothing to them.

I hope this helps. I thank God that He put those friends into your life. Rejoice and Be glad!

Peace,
John Marie Philomena
👍
 
40.png
lovedance4ever:
Every outing causes me a great deal of anxiety, and there are times when it is almost unbearable… I still can’t trust. …because from my experience, happiness is only temporary, and the happier I am, the more loss hurts. Why do I still feel absolutely miserable and alone…?
Lovedance,
Just want you to know I am praying for you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top