Afraid of committing a Mortal Sin

[DoxieMama]

I’ll try to make this short. I’ve been having chest pains for awhile, but my cardiology test results all came back normal last week, thank goodness. I’m also losing weight and exercising.

But, what I’m worried about is this…I think that not getting medical help is a sin. I’m afraid that I’m going to have heart attack symptoms, not recognize them, and die without getting help in time. I went to the ER a few times, before receiving my test results that all was normal.

What I’m afraid of is…what if I’m having chest pain, and I assume it’s my baseline pain, without realizing it’s a heart attack, and I don’t get help…is that a Mortal Sin? I’m afraid God would consider it suicide.

 

[DevotedChild]

I’ll try to make this short. I’ve been having chest pains for awhile, but my cardiology test results all came back normal last week, thank goodness. I’m also losing weight and exercising.

But, what I’m worried about is this…I think that not getting medical help is a sin. I’m afraid that I’m going to have heart attack symptoms, not recognize them, and die without getting help in time. I went to the ER a few times, before receiving my test results that all was normal.

What I’m afraid of is…what if I’m having chest pain, and I assume it’s my baseline pain, without realizing it’s a heart attack, and I don’t get help…is that a Mortal Sin? I’m afraid God would consider it suicide.

No no no. You have it all wrong. It is not suicide when have pain and not sure it is a heart attack or not and die from it. Suicide is when you willingly take one’s own life. What you are describing is not suicide but concern for your health. Not taking care of oneself is not a mortal sin but more of a venial sin and you are doing what you can to take care of your body and health and so you are doing nothing wrong.

Are you sure that what you are feeling isn’t sever heart burn? When I get the sever case of heart burn if feels like i might be having a heart attack because it is so painful but I know that I am not having a heart attack.

God Bless

 

[R_C]

You should ask a priest so that he can give you a final answer that will give you peace.

All I can say is: sin is a deliberate offense to God. Mortal sin, furthermore, requires, beside grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent.

If you were to be sure that the pain is a heart attack and decide still not to be treated, then it would be sinful But if in doubt, it would not.

However, you may want to speak to your doctor to find out more, otherwise it must be very anxious to feel something and never know whether it is meaningless or terribly important. There must be at least a few other ways to be able to clarify the symptom. I guess, or rather, hope, since I am no doctor.

Let us pray to the Almighty, that in honor of the pierced hearts of the Lord and of the Blessed Virgin He may give you a special blessing and make your burden lighter, if it be His will

 

[oldcatholicguy]

I’ll try to make this short. I’ve been having chest pains for awhile, but my cardiology test results all came back normal last week, thank goodness. I’m also losing weight and exercising.

But, what I’m worried about is this…I think that not getting medical help is a sin. I’m afraid that I’m going to have heart attack symptoms, not recognize them, and die without getting help in time. I went to the ER a few times, before receiving my test results that all was normal.

What I’m afraid of is…what if I’m having chest pain, and I assume it’s my baseline pain, without realizing it’s a heart attack, and I don’t get help…is that a Mortal Sin? I’m afraid God would consider it suicide.

Based on your comment, I would say no. However, your best bet for a completely correct answer is to ask a priest.

 

[DoxieMama]

Thanks, I’m going to talk with a priest next week. I did get a reply from an apologist who stated that if I’m NOT SURE I’m having a heart attack, then I don’t have FULL KNOWLEDGE, which is a requirement of mortal sin. That makes sense.

 

[teachccd]

I am NOT a physician by any stretch of the imagination but I do have generalized anxiety and panic disorder. Just something you may want to inquire about since you are having chest pains, test results are normal and the “what ifs” of your post… God bless…teachccd

 

[DoxieMama]

I do have OCD. Something I forgot to mention. But I’ve had it for over 20 years and the pains just started a couple months ago.