Can God forgive me? Am I worthy?

[JayMot]

I have recently been diagnosed with a life threatening condition. I was raised Catholic but when I reached adulthood, I abandoned the Church.

I am now struggling with my return to the Church. I am not at ease with myself and have been beating myself up as not worthy of returning. I want to believe that God wants me to be saved and that He will forgive me, but I have a real hard time believing it. As I deal with my life threatening diagnosis, I feel that I am cheating God, only wanting to return when I need Him the most. Why would He have me return under such circumstances? I feel ashamed and embarrassed in the face of God that I let this happen.

Is there hope for me?

 

[katpants]

There is always hope .

The priest said at mass that God has a bad memory, and he doesn’t look back to our past. Ask forgiveness of your signs, and move on.

When I got my diagnosis for erosive lichen planus…it was a wake up call to me for my faith. I have gotten closer to God and I could be closer still.

Ever stop to think God used this to bring you back to him?

Pray and start talking with a priest, it’ll do you a world of good! Praying for your health!

Kat

 

[Genesis315]

You’re not worthy. None of us are on our own–but that’s the point of returning to God and the Church. He loves us while we are unworthy and calls us to Himself. We confess our unworthiness and He forgives us and truly makes us worthy.

As for returning to God late in life, Jesus has some parables about that. For example, in one about the prodigal son, one son takes his inheritance and squanders it, while the other works diligently for the father all his life. When the son who strayed returns one evening, the father receives him with a great banquet. In another, the laborers that only worked a little at the end of the day got paid the same as the ones who worked all day. God is generous that way

 

[Della]

I have recently been diagnosed with a life threatening condition. I was raised Catholic but when I reached adulthood, I abandoned the Church.

I am now struggling with my return to the Church. I am not at ease with myself and have been beating myself up as not worthy of returning. I want to believe that God wants me to be saved and that He will forgive me, but I have a real hard time believing it. As I deal with my life threatening diagnosis, I feel that I am cheating God, only wanting to return when I need Him the most. Why would He have me return under such circumstances? I feel ashamed and embarrassed in the face of God that I let this happen.

Is there hope for me?

Welcome home! :extrahappy: The angels are rejoicing at your return, as are we!

We are all poor sinners in need of God’s mercy no matter if our sins are great or small. God judges our hearts more kindly than we do. He is full of mercy and compassion. Don’t be afraid. Go to confession, receive the sacraments, and be at peace.

 

[Avila123]

As everyone has said “God forgives” and none of us are worthy but He never ceases to love us. Why don’t you see if you can have a private face to face meeting with a priest? Tell him what you told us (and more) as he will be able to help you take the steps you want and need to, at your pace.

May God bless you.

 

[MT1926]

I have recently been diagnosed with a life threatening condition. I was raised Catholic but when I reached adulthood, I abandoned the Church.

I am now struggling with my return to the Church. I am not at ease with myself and have been beating myself up as not worthy of returning. I want to believe that God wants me to be saved and that He will forgive me, but I have a real hard time believing it. As I deal with my life threatening diagnosis, I feel that I am cheating God, only wanting to return when I need Him the most. Why would He have me return under such circumstances? I feel ashamed and embarrassed in the face of God that I let this happen.

Is there hope for me?

The prodigal son returns. Welcome home. We missed you. :extrahappy:

You might have abandoned God in your adulthood, but he never abandoned you. I would recommend going to confession and speaking with your priest. To be able to talk through the shame and embarrassment will take away so many of your worries.

I would also thank God for your illness. It sounds like it was the only thing capable of giving you this wake up call.

The only ones not worthy of returning are the ones that never take the time to knock on his door.

Pray to him he is always listening.

God Bless

 

[Johnny_Local]

Think about this.

When Christ was crucified, nearly all of the apostles–some of his closest friends in the world–abandoned him. Peter, himself, even denied him 3 times. So, in Luke’s Gospel, what were the first words Jesus spoke to the apostles in the upper room after the resurrection? "Peace be with you." (See Luke 24:36)

We are all sinners, and in our own ways, we all abandon Christ as some point in our lives through our sins. The important thing is, that when we realize this, we return to him through the sacrament of reconciliation, trusting in his perfect mercy.

I’ve heard it said that God doesn’t love us because we are good; God loves us because He is good. Nothing we can do on our own will make us worthy. It is only through the gift of God’s grace that we are justified.

You are probably already familiar with the story, but I suggest that you read the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Read it carefully and prayerfully, and really take time to reflect on what Jesus is trying to tell you. Here’s a link if you want to read it online: usccb.org/bible/luke/15.

And above all, remember that God loves you more than you can ever comprehend and is waiting to welcome you home.

 

[MaryHelp777]

It doesn’t matter when you return, but that you Do return.

Remember the Prodigal Son story Jesus told?
A son asked his father (God) For his inheritance, he left home (the church) and lived a sinful life, famine struck (an illness in your story) and he ran out of money, and decided to go home (to the true church) and apologise to his Dad (the Father).

What did his dad do?
His dad was standing out waiting on the road (something he had done all the years his son was gone), waiting for the day to welcome him back and hug him,

Go home to the True Church!!!
God is waiting for you to give you a big hug!!!

 

[JayMot]

Thank you all for your kind words. Although I feel better, I am still human and have my doubts and fears. I am hopeful that I can turn the corner in my mind and find some peace. You have helped me believe there is hope for me!

 

[Pilsen]

You have received some good advice here. Thank the Lord for giving you this illness, because through it He has given you the grace to return to Him. It is a grace and blessing.

Your post tells me one thing: That God is pursuing you, with His infinite and relentless love. Please do not feel ashamed or embarrassed, God does not think or act like us humans. You are His Dear child, whose worth cannot be measured as His love and mercy for you is incomprehensible. When you get closer to Jesus (through the Sacraments, Adoration and lots of prayer), you will notice that Jesus always has His arms stretched out wide for you. Go to Him, He is gentle and He understands you through and through.

If you can, please make an appointment with a priest for confession. Pour out your heart because Jesus is physically present there.

Have you read St Faustina’s Diary, Divine Mercy in my soul? I think it is a treasure for your situation. Here are some quotes of Jesus’ words:

I am love and Mercy Itself. There is no misery that could be a match for My mercy, neither will misery exhaust it, because as it is being granted – it increases. The soul that trusts in My mercy is most fortunate, because I Myself take care of it. 1273

Today the Lord said to me, ‘Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of Mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrent of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls. 1602

My daughter, look into the abyss of My mercy and give praise and glory to this mercy of Mine. Do it in this way: Gather all sinners from the entire world and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. I want to give Myself to souls; I yearn for souls, My daughter. On the day of My feast, the Feast of Mercy, you will go through the whole world and bring fainting souls to the spring of My mercy. I shall heal and strengthen them. 206

Lastly, I just want to repeat what ‘MaryHelp777’ last sentence said
“God is waiting for you to give you a big hug!!!”

 

[guanophore]

I have recently been diagnosed with a life threatening condition.  I was raised Catholic but when I reached adulthood, I abandoned the Church.

I am now struggling with my return to the Church.

Sometimes God allows such things to happen to give us a wake up call.

I am not at ease with myself and have been beating myself up as not worthy of returning. I want to believe that God wants me to be saved and that He will forgive me, but I have a real hard time believing it.

Don’t go by your feelings. Go by what is true.

5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; 7but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5–10

Go to confession and get a fresh start. Don’t let the devil rob you of your birthright.

Satan will try to convince you that you are not “worthy” and it is a lie, because none of us are. Overcome the Accuser through the Blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony.

10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, **for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. **11And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:10–11

As I deal with my life threatening diagnosis, I feel that I am cheating God, only wanting to return when I need Him the most. Why would He have me return under such circumstances? I feel ashamed and embarrassed in the face of God that I let this happen.

Is there hope for me?

It is normal to feel ashamed and embarrassed, but don’t let that hold you back from reconciling with God. Follow your conscience, which calls you to throw yourself upon His Mercy.

Of course we always return to God when we need Him most! Better late than never!

 

[Bill_Martin]

I have recently been diagnosed with a life threatening condition. I was raised Catholic but when I reached adulthood, I abandoned the Church.

I am now struggling with my return to the Church. I am not at ease with myself and have been beating myself up as not worthy of returning. I want to believe that God wants me to be saved and that He will forgive me, but I have a real hard time believing it. As I deal with my life threatening diagnosis, I feel that I am cheating God, only wanting to return when I need Him the most. Why would He have me return under such circumstances? I feel ashamed and embarrassed in the face of God that I let this happen.

Is there hope for me?

I have felt this thought too and wanted to address it in my post. Take that thought and throw it away. It’s utter garbage designed to make you feel guilty for doing the right thing.

Think about these words “when I need Him the most” and apply them to other situations.

Would you be cheating the doctor by only going when you’re sick and need treatment the most?

Are you cheating the mechanic by only returning to him when your car needs a repair?

Are you cheating the dentist by only going when you need a root canal?

Are you cheating the gas station by only going back when your tank is empty?

Are you cheating your friends by turning to them when you need their support the most?

If you need something now more than ever, then trying harder than ever to find it is the only thing that makes sense. Don’t feel guilty. You have acknowledged a need for God and are doing the only logical and sane thing to do by returning to Him.

 

[Myst]

You can always come home. God always brings good out of evil circumstances (take THAT devil!), and maybe you coming home is the good he is making out of the sickness.

 

[littlestsouls2]

“You may have done evil enough to lose the souls of a whole parish, and if you confess, if you are sorry for having done this evil, and resolve not to do it again, the good God will have pardoned you.”

• St. John Vianney

“Write then that I make the most beautiful masterpieces with the most miserable subjects, provided they will let Me. When a soul repents of her faults and deplores them, thinkest thou I am so hard as to not receive her? If so, thou knowest not My Heart. *My most loving Heart has such a thirst for the salvation of souls, that when they return to Me I cannot contain My joy; I run to meet them.” *
– Jesus to Sr. Benigna Consolata Ferrero

 

[AttendeDomine]

As I deal with my life threatening diagnosis, I feel that I am cheating God, only wanting to return when I need Him the most.

Someone else mentioned the Prodigal Son.

One of the key features of this story is that it lets us know exactly how God responds to our repentance. I would recommend you read it in Luke 15 and, indeed, read the whole of that chapter, since it deals exclusively with this theme.

God is the Good Shepherd who leaves His 99 sheep to find the one that was lost. “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

He is like the woman who lost one of her ten coins, and then swept the whole house to find it. “And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.’”

He is like the father whose son deserted Him and who lived for pleasure and who found his life miserable. But this son, when he came to his senses, returned home and begged his father to make him one of his servants, since even being a servant was better than sleeping with the pigs. “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’”

You would not want to return to God, illness or not, if the Spirit of God were not moving you to do so. This work is not your own, it is God’s. Therefore, don’t be afraid to be found by God, who has been calling for you for so many years. None of us are worthy of anything. All of us are mere trash. But we can be God’s trash.

 

[JayMot]

I never thought of it that way, that God is calling me back with this illness. It actually comforts me to think that He has a plan for me.

I have purchased the Catechism of the Catholic Faith thru the US Council of Bishops and have begun reading it to try to learn more about the Catholic Faith. For someone like me, that has many questions, I find it so informative and a solid basis for going forward.

My new journey has begun. I now know that I will find what I am searching for.

Thanks to all who have offered their support and guidance.

JayMot

 

[guanophore]

I never thought of it that way, that God is calling me back with this illness. It actually comforts me to think that He has a plan for me.

I have purchased the Catechism of the Catholic Faith thru the US Council of Bishops and have begun reading it to try to learn more about the Catholic Faith. For someone like me, that has many questions, I find it so informative and a solid basis for going forward.

My new journey has begun. I now know that I will find what I am searching for.

Thanks to all who have offered their support and guidance.

JayMot

You will be in my prayers.

 

[Della]

You will be in my prayers.

Indeed, mine too.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

My new journey has begun. I now know that I will find what I am searching for.

I met a lady who had been drinking all night, she said, she gets in fights and beats people up, will God forgive her?
I said you are probably asking the wrong question, and the question you need to ask is this, next time I am angry and want to beat someone up, can I search in my heart for a way to forgive that person? If you can find a way to forgive that person, you will come to understand how God can forgive you.

On a practical note, let go of all the hurt people have caused you, pray for them, and their salvation. A wonderful hymn to help you do this is…The peace by Graham Kendrick, as you listen to the hymn, think of all the names of the people you need to forgive

Now may the peace of the Lord be with you, be with you
Now may the peace of the Lord be with you, be with you
Now and always

May the Lord bless you
May the Lord keep you
And may God’s face shine upon you always
And give you peace
And give you peace

http://www.mp3tunes.tk/download?v=7dTmdu_8yMM

 

[Eric_Hyom]

I never thought of it that way, that God is calling me back with this illness. It actually comforts me to think that He has a plan for me.

A few years ago, I had tests done for cancer, about a month later the doctor phoned and said he urgently wanted to see me, it was non – Hodgkin Lymphoma, this was a name I recognised, our friend had this cancer, and died a few months later. I prayed for the wisdom, strength, peace and serenity to do God’s will, whether the cancer was a death sentence, or just an inconvenience. I can only say that from the moment of making this prayer, I have experienced a profound sense of peace, and the thought of cancer has never troubled me for a moment.

Cancer can be a truly worrying process, you wait a month or two for tests, you wait for the results, and you wait for more tests, but the prayer to do God’s will sort of handed the problem to God, and I have never had to worry. At the age of 66, the prayer for healing was too complicated, and I have never once prayed for healing, it might or might not be my time to go, I can imagine people praying for healing, and many still die.

I could not imagine this sense of peace without a faith and trust in God.
My prayers are with you on your journey.