Am I overdoing things?

[MauBell]

Hey guys,

I recently returned to the faith about 2-3 months ago, and I’ve never been happier with it. I sincerely have fallen back in love with God and the Church and I’ve been having a wonderful experience…words really can’t describe it!

However, I’m concerned that I might be going too quickly or that maybe I’m overdoing things. With the religion I previously practiced, there was a lot that I did and I think that I’m keeping in step with what I used to do. I immediately jumped into discerning my vocation (not just as a potential religious, but also as a potential wife or potential single and how I can use my skills for God), as well as being invested with the brown scapular and saying the requisite devotions as well as others I was saying. It leads to praying often but not so often that it interferes with my daily life- maybe 20-30 minutes, 4 times daily? I don’t do more than I can handle. I stop into church at least once and I attend weekly mass and confession (I’d go more often but I don’t want to approach the sacrament for communion without confession). I’m going on a week-long retreat in October (most likely, if I keep my numbers good at work) in the silence to help myself get a bead on where all this is going and to discern a little more what God wants from me. I am also working on reforming my moral attitude more in keeping with what the Church teaches (which has been interesting concerning my past relationship habits, let me tell you.)

I am a religious person by nature and take the religion I practice very seriously. I love God and I have a deep respect for all faiths. I want to serve God first and foremost in my life. However, I don’t want to be fanatical in my beliefs and I don’t want to hurt myself or my relationship with God by being over-zealous and then succumbing to burnout later.

This forum has often been helpful in searching for answers, so I was hoping posting would be of help. Thanks for reading, and God bless all of you.

 

[Brandall]

Burnout is my fear too. Spirituality has a tendency to have an ebb and flow.

Now Faith, in the sense in which I am here using the word, is the art of holding on to things your reason 'has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.

CS Lewis

 

[Lasting_faith]

Maybe you are. What do you think, honestly? God does not measure us by the length of a prayer or how often we confess our sins. Before you go to confession, think it thru, have you really commit a sin? It is important to confess, but it is also important to search the inner of our soul. Many things may look or sound like a sin, but are in fact wrong at all. And about praying, you pray to often if it interfere with your daily life, and if you feel that if you don’t pray “all the time” something terrible will happen. Morning, mid day and evening + the Rosary once each day is enough, in my way of thinking. Instead, make every day a “prayer”, do Gods will, and each step you take will be a “prayer”. What is pure is what God want, not empty words just because. And of course you can do what I do, if you feel it is OK. I “talk” to Christ and Our Blessed Virgin often, many times a day. It is not so much a prayer, I just “talk”.

 

[Phil_Marinus]

Well I don’t pray every day… nor do I go to church every week…
I think so much depends on the individual… as to weather your over or under doing it…
and I still feel filled with the holy spirit…

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Hey guys,

I recently returned to the faith about 2-3 months ago, and I’ve never been happier with it. I sincerely have fallen back in love with God and the Church and I’ve been having a wonderful experience…words really can’t describe it!

However, I’m concerned that I might be going too quickly or that maybe I’m overdoing things. With the religion I previously practiced, there was a lot that I did and I think that I’m keeping in step with what I used to do. I immediately jumped into discerning my vocation (not just as a potential religious, but also as a potential wife or potential single and how I can use my skills for God), as well as being invested with the brown scapular and saying the requisite devotions as well as others I was saying. It leads to praying often but not so often that it interferes with my daily life- maybe 20-30 minutes, 4 times daily? I don’t do more than I can handle. I stop into church at least once and I attend weekly mass and confession (I’d go more often but I don’t want to approach the sacrament for communion without confession). I’m going on a week-long retreat in October (most likely, if I keep my numbers good at work) in the silence to help myself get a bead on where all this is going and to discern a little more what God wants from me. I am also working on reforming my moral attitude more in keeping with what the Church teaches (which has been interesting concerning my past relationship habits, let me tell you.)

I am a religious person by nature and take the religion I practice very seriously. I love God and I have a deep respect for all faiths. I want to serve God first and foremost in my life. However, I don’t want to be fanatical in my beliefs and I don’t want to hurt myself or my relationship with God by being over-zealous and then succumbing to burnout later.

This forum has often been helpful in searching for answers, so I was hoping posting would be of help. Thanks for reading, and God bless all of you.

Keep yourself centered on Jesus Christ, first and foremost. Remember that faith and religion are two different things, although they are very much connected.

Faith is a gift and it involves a relationship with Jesus, who dwells within you. Learn to practice the presence of God, who is with you 24/7.

Your religious fervor will begin to dry up, I can guarantee it. Being centered in Christ is your anchor and He will bring you to deeper levels of understanding in the riches of the Church. This takes grace and God’s time, not ours.

Your decision to go on a retreat is a good one. use this time to build on your relationship with Jesus Christ. You are called to be his disciple of Jesus Christ, He is the reason for everything you do.

Jim

 

[wcknight]

Be in it for the long haul… it is a long race, a marathon not a sprint. BUT Jesus also say not to be luke warm. God must always be primary.

As far as regular confession goes, unless you are having problems with specific sin(s), once a week is too much I think. Once a month is plenty IMHO. Of course after any serious sin is a must. We are only required twice a year, which may not be enough. The problem with most folks is that they rarely go even once a year. I think once a quarter should be the minimum.

Praying at least a couple of times a day should be a minimum. I don’t pray continuously, but whenever I am aware of it I try to say a short prayer or two. On long drives, I try to start a rosary with a goal of completing one or at least a few decades…

We need God to be a major part of our lives, not just a once in a while thought. Most of us, including myself get distracted with everyday living. That is fine most of the time, but we need to keep God in the picture as much as we can. Once a week is not enough. A few minutes per day morning and before bedtime should be the minimum.

 

[fred_conty]

Hey guys,

I recently returned to the faith about 2-3 months ago, and I’ve never been happier with it. I sincerely have fallen back in love with God and the Church and I’ve been having a wonderful experience…words really can’t describe it!

However, I’m concerned that I might be going too quickly or that maybe I’m overdoing things. With the religion I previously practiced, there was a lot that I did and I think that I’m keeping in step with what I used to do. I immediately jumped into discerning my vocation (not just as a potential religious, but also as a potential wife or potential single and how I can use my skills for God), as well as being invested with the brown scapular and saying the requisite devotions as well as others I was saying. It leads to praying often but not so often that it interferes with my daily life- maybe 20-30 minutes, 4 times daily? I don’t do more than I can handle. I stop into church at least once and I attend weekly mass and confession (I’d go more often but I don’t want to approach the sacrament for communion without confession). I’m going on a week-long retreat in October (most likely, if I keep my numbers good at work) in the silence to help myself get a bead on where all this is going and to discern a little more what God wants from me. I am also working on reforming my moral attitude more in keeping with what the Church teaches (which has been interesting concerning my past relationship habits, let me tell you.)

I am a religious person by nature and take the religion I practice very seriously. I love God and I have a deep respect for all faiths. I want to serve God first and foremost in my life. However, I don’t want to be fanatical in my beliefs and I don’t want to hurt myself or my relationship with God by being over-zealous and then succumbing to burnout later.

This forum has often been helpful in searching for answers, so I was hoping posting would be of help. Thanks for reading, and God bless all of you.

Congratulations on your return and I am thrilled for the graces Jesus has showered on you.
It is wonderful to experience that special love of the good shepherd. As Jesus said, the angels rejoice and so do we.

At such a reunion, initially a person has tremendous joy and happiness over the peace they have been given. It is a special thrill not to be forgotten. It is a reward for coming to him as well as a strengthening for the difficulties which lie ahead. For being one with Christ has its’ reward but also its’ hardship.

Enjoy all the goodness Jesus gives you now, and remember how good this was when the cross grows heavy later. This will give you courage.

There is just one danger, and that is, when and if this blessed time of consolation ends, do not confuse this with your relationship with Jesus coming to an end. Be aware that tho consolations are great and due to the goodness of God, when they pass, it is not a sign that God has deserted you. He is just testing to see whether you still love him when it is hard and when he seems no where around. It is best to be aware of this in advance so that your faith and love will not be shaken. At those times, faithfulness to prayer, is important even if dry and unappealing. For grace dosen’t depend on our consolations, but on what we do and in doing his will with love.

You may want to deepen your union with him throughout the day. This site explains it in a down to earth way and is not that long to read. It is a wonderful way to be united to Jesus even more.

dunedin.elim.org.nz/uploads/1/2/7/8/12786940/brother_lawrence_-_the_practice_of_the_presence_of_god.pdf

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and continue to give you peace.