Blah, something I need help with :(

[twosweetgirls]

I feel so embarassed for posting this, but I’ve never had a problem with it before and do now, and I hate it.

It’s taking the Lord’s name in vain, during anger or short-temperedness.

May I ask, what you did to break yourself of this? I’ve tried the Lord’s Prayer and a Hail Mary in reparation for this sin, every time I fall in this way, and yet I still profane His Name. Any help you might provide would be much appreciated. I want to be DONE with this nasty habit.

 

[MSParrott]

First let me tell you are not alone. Unfortunately I have done this same thing. I first would whisper I’m sorry Jesus, after saying His name in vain, but then I remember my sister telling me years ago that she felt when we say this, it makes Jesus cry - that helps me not to take His name in vain. I certainly never want to make Him cry! I’ve also heard people say that when they either say or hear His name being said in vain they say something to the effect of Blessed be the Name of Jesus forever.

Hope that helps.

 

[Ancilla]

May I ask, what you did to break yourself of this? I’ve tried the Lord’s Prayer and a Hail Mary in reparation for this sin, every time I fall in this way, and yet I still profane His Name. Any help you might provide would be much appreciated. I want to be DONE with this nasty habit.

I know how you feel. The best thing I’ve found is to start praying when you take his name - I don’t know how this is happening for you, but for example:

You’re upset or frustrated and you exclaim God Almighty!! If you then turn to praise Him and ask Him to work in your life, it will help you not have taken his name in vain. I’ve found that I really don’t feel as upset as I did in the first place, either. Sometimes I say “The Jesus Prayer”,

Generally speaking, when we are upset we are trying to reach out to Our Lord, but through our sin this gets mixed up.

I’ve had people tell me that experiencing a trauma (such as a violent crime, or even minor surgery) can make this problem harder to counter. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I’m with you in the fight.

 

[twosweetgirls]

^Ancilla, that “trauma” would certainly make sense: last month I was diagnosed with some nasty post-partum depression. Would that make sense?

 

[Ancilla]

Sorry to hear about your post-partum depression. My heart goes out to you - both in joy for the new baby , and in sadness for your suffering.

Giving birth certainly counts as a trauma - at least in the medical sense of the word. I"m sure most of the Moms would agree about that.

You should check with your doctor about this - even though there may be no cure for this outside of prayer. Your problem might even relate to PPD. I asked my sister (she’s the one who told me about the swearing side-effect after trauma) where she heard it. It was from one of our cousins who had broken her leg, and then started swearing a blue streak - she told her doctor, and he said it was related to the trauma of breaking her leg, but it doesn’t always happen right away. Watch though, they might turn around and say “I’ve never heard of such a thing”.

The good news - my cousin, my sister, and myself are all “practically” cured. It does get better - especially when you’re actively working on it.