Being sorry for one's sins

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pieman333272
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Pieman333272

Guest
When one is sorry for their sins, is it more often experienced as just wanting to change and knowing you went against God’s will, or with emotional sorrow for committing such an act against God? The reason I ask is, I always feel like the former but think I should also be feeling the latter.
 
Feeling emotional sorrow for your sins is certainly a good thing, however what is more important than your emotional state is your will. Repentance is an act of the will, a turning away from sin and turning to God. We cannot always control our emotions and while it would be nice if one could will themselves into deep sorrow every time a sin has been committed this just isn’t the case. This can be especially true with habitual sins which weaken our conscience/sensitivity to sin.

So what I’m trying to say with all that babbling is this: the most important thing is to be sorry for having sinned against God and to honestly and firmly resolve to change your ways. Follow this with the Sacrament of Reconciliation and you will do well. God makes up for what is lacking in us in the Sacrament.

If you still desire to feel more sorrow for your sins then my suggestion would be to kneel before a crucifix and contemplate our Lord’s Passion and death. You might also wish to watch (or re-watch) The Passion of the Christ.

There is a great pamphlet written by Saint Padre Pio titled The Agony of Jesus: A Meditation on Our Lord’s Agony in the Garden that might be helpful to you as well. As the title suggets, it only covers Christ’s agony in the garden, but it certainly packs a spiritual punch.
 
Pieman333272 said:
When one is sorry for their sins, is it more often experienced as just wanting to change and knowing you went against God’s will, or with emotional sorrow for committing such an act against God? The reason I ask is, I always feel like the former but think I should also be feeling the latter.
Click to expand...
you start with the first one, and will repentance, and eventually the feelings would come. But it’s the will that counts here… 🙂 the more you will it, the better. It’s good to know that our will is free so you decide what you choose: to be sorry or not. (when with feelings, we don’t always decide).

God bless
 
When one is sorry for sin he must have true contrition and put in an effort to avoid sin in the future.Without a real determination to stop sinning confession is of little value.I went to confession offf and on all through grade school but now I see that I sinned more than ever.
 
Pieman333272 said:
When one is sorry for their sins, is it more often experienced as just wanting to change and knowing you went against God’s will, or with emotional sorrow for committing such an act against God? The reason I ask is, I always feel like the former but think I should also be feeling the latter.
Click to expand...
Interesting question. I think that it can be both, but not necessarily. It depends on the maturity of ones faith.
Let me propose a couple of questions to you that might help you to focus.
Do you Love God?
Do you Love your neighbor?
Is there someone special you Love? (spouse, parents etc)

Now - consider the love you have for the special people in your life. If you sin against them, hurt them, cause them distress, let them down, do you only feel a “desire” to change, or do you feel an emotional sorrow for committing such an act against them?

Now - If you say you feel emotional sorow when you hurt a loved one, but do not feel this when you sin against (hurt) God, then perhaps you need to examine how, and how much, you Love God.

Peace
James
 
valentino said:
When one is sorry for sin he must have true contrition and put in an effort to avoid sin in the future.Without a real determination to stop sinning confession is of little value.I went to confession offf and on all through grade school but now I see that I sinned more than ever.
Click to expand...
OK. I do really want to change, but I simply feel indifferent towards my sins. I’m going to confession this Sunday Evening, but I want to make sure I am truly sorry and honest about it first.
 
Pieman333272 said:
OK. I do really want to change, but I simply feel indifferent towards my sins. I’m going to confession this Sunday Evening, but I want to make sure I am truly sorry and honest about it first.
Click to expand...
You are on the right track…👍
You already know that confession is not like “punching a timeclock” or having parking validated…
You recognize the seriousness of the situation and are examining it. Good for you. Many graces will flow from this effort. I can assure you of that.

Peace
James
 
Pieman333272 said:
OK. I do really want to change, but I simply feel indifferent towards my sins. I’m going to confession this Sunday Evening, but I want to make sure I am truly sorry and honest about it first.
Click to expand...
One can only see the seriousness of sins when they know Christ.To know Christ is a gradual process.The more we pray,meditate,read the Bible or other good religious books,recieve Our Lord the more we learn to love Him.We begin to see and feel His life and passion more deeply.Without prayer and meditation we cannot grasp His deep love.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top