Complex question of arousal

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brotherjoe

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Although I have been an ardent Catholic all my life, I have never been internally clear on this issue: What defines involuntary arousal and when is it wrong or how wrong is it. This is something that never bothers me when I snuggle with my wife, but it also occurs when I rough house with the kids or wrestle with the dog. I suspect many or most men experience this, and I find it more of an inconvenience than anything else. I feel like abstaining from such physical play would rob my kids and my dog from a blessing that they are meant to have in good measure (it gives them GREAT joy), and rob me of a joy that should be natural for dads & masters. I’m still uncomfortable because an argument could be made that the excitement I feel is reserved in adults for the conjugal relationship and I only experience it elsewise from the Fall. But it’s not my primary motive for interacting playfully with others and I do not will for it to occur. Sometimes I make vagure references to it in the confessional, but I’m still not sure that under the circumstances it involves sin anyway. Very confusing…
 
2 cor 10:9,10 I would rebuke the devil for trying to steal your joy for you are under attack by enemy and must be confronted to stop this kind of warfare
 
Hey this happens to me too. I used to think I was a weirdo for that happening and didn’t know why. I don’t think arousal is a sin. This is where you don’t have full consent. As long as you aren’t entertaining thoughts I wouldn’t think this is a sin at all. I’d like to see what others have to say on this.
 
To be honest, this can happen at the most innocent times to any guy. As long as it is not willed or causes one to get really aroused, I say ignore it and ofer it up to God. Playing with kids and the dog arent bad things (heck we need more fathers to play with their kids).
 
2 cor 10:9,10 I would rebuke the devil for trying to steal your joy for you are under attack by enemy and must be confronted to stop this kind of warfare

I would be glad to hear more about this - email me if you wish. Thanks.
 
Yeah it is very annoying. Sometimes I can get it to go down, but a lot of the times I just keep it from showing. It happens to everyone. It has never embarrassed me because I know my heart. I just keep it on the downlow so noone gets any funny ideas.
 
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