Building Self-Mastery?

[waanju]

Does anyone have advice for building self-mastery?
Most of my sins (that don’t go back to pride) stem from this- just being to lazy to exert the effort to resist temptation. I don’t even think about what I’m doing most of the time?

Right now, I’m thinking of three things to help me out:

1. prayer- duh (but any suggestions for specific prayers)
2. fasting one day a week (people seem to suggest this helps with self-control… I’m not sure)
3. More ordered and organized schedule for the day (I just finished making this- realized I actually DO have time for mass and the rosary every day) because I noticed that I waste most of my time in ways that don’t benefit anyone (including myself) and open the door for temptation.

Do these sound likely to work? Do you have any suggestions for other things to do?

 

[ProdglArchitect]

Does anyone have advice for building self-mastery?
Most of my sins (that don’t go back to pride) stem from this- just being to lazy to exert the effort to resist temptation. I don’t even think about what I’m doing most of the time?

Right now, I’m thinking of three things to help me out:

1. prayer- duh (but any suggestions for specific prayers)
2. fasting one day a week (people seem to suggest this helps with self-control… I’m not sure)
3. More ordered and organized schedule for the day (I just finished making this- realized I actually DO have time for mass and the rosary every day) because I noticed that I waste most of my time in ways that don’t benefit anyone (including myself) and open the door for temptation.

Do these sound likely to work? Do you have any suggestions for other things to do?

Prayer is excellent, and I can attest to the fact that fasting one day a week really does help. I fast on Fridays and when I am it is a reminder that I can control myself, and that giving up something for God isn’t too hard to do!

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Mortify your emotional triggers. They are like strings that play our emotions like puppets and handout to everyone and everything – including our enemies – control over our feelings.

Try reading Rom 7 for some ideas from St. Paul about dealing with sinfulness inside of him.

The whole chapter (as well as the chapters before and after ) is good but I’ll toss out a sample:

[BIBLEDRB]rom 7:14-25[/BIBLEDRB]

Alan

 

[waanju]

Mortify your emotional triggers. They are like strings that play our emotions like puppets and handout to everyone and everything – including our enemies – control over our feelings.

Try reading Rom 7 for some ideas from St. Paul about dealing with sinfulness inside of him.

The whole chapter (as well as the chapters before and after ) is good but I’ll toss out a sample:

Alan

Thanks for the reading suggestion!

 

[Cadian]

Does anyone have advice for building self-mastery?
Most of my sins (that don’t go back to pride) stem from this- just being to lazy to exert the effort to resist temptation. I don’t even think about what I’m doing most of the time?

Right now, I’m thinking of three things to help me out:

1. prayer- duh (but any suggestions for specific prayers)
2. fasting one day a week (people seem to suggest this helps with self-control… I’m not sure)
3. More ordered and organized schedule for the day (I just finished making this- realized I actually DO have time for mass and the rosary every day) because I noticed that I waste most of my time in ways that don’t benefit anyone (including myself) and open the door for temptation.

Do these sound likely to work? Do you have any suggestions for other things to do?

You are off to a good start. For prayers I would try to get in the habit of praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. If you can get beyond the vocal prayer and be taken up into the meditative prayer ( thinking about the mysteries (for the Rosary) and God’s Mercy (Divine Mercy) ) that helps a lot.

If it is possible for you to go spend a holy hour at your church, do so at least once a week and spend time with Jesus.

Regular confession, at least weekly while you are attempting to get started on changing a particular habbit. Ask your priest about spiritual direction. I would also consider counceling but make sure you get a councelor that is catholic and orthodox in their faith.

Also through out the day if you are ever tempted, immediately as the temptations enter your mind say: “Jesus I love you, I do not will these thoughts, please help me resist these temptations”. Then say a Hail Mary and ask Our Lady in her devotion as the Mother of Purity to pray for all of us then you specifically. I can tell you that this helps.

One last thing. Do not beat yourself up if you stumble. Just get back up, run to Jesus and tell him you are sorry. He is there with arms open wide waiting to welcome you back. For proof of that just look at a cruicifx.

:knight1:

 

[waanju]

You are off to a good start. For prayers I would try to get in the habit of praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. If you can get beyond the vocal prayer and be taken up into the meditative prayer ( thinking about the mysteries (for the Rosary) and God’s Mercy (Divine Mercy) ) that helps a lot.

If it is possible for you to go spend a holy hour at your church, do so at least once a week and spend time with Jesus.

Regular confession, at least weekly while you are attempting to get started on changing a particular habbit. Ask your priest about spiritual direction. I would also consider counceling but make sure you get a councelor that is catholic and orthodox in their faith.

Also through out the day if you are ever tempted, immediately as the temptations enter your mind say: “Jesus I love you, I do not will these thoughts, please help me resist these temptations”. Then say a Hail Mary and ask Our Lady in her devotion as the Mother of Purity to pray for all of us then you specifically. I can tell you that this helps.

One last thing. Do not beat yourself up if you stumble. Just get back up, run to Jesus and tell him you are sorry. He is there with arms open wide waiting to welcome you back. For proof of that just look at a cruicifx.

:knight1:

Thanks. All of that makes sense, and I’ll probably try most of it (except the counselling bit- I don’t really have a need for that).