Confused and scared

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elohimrules

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Please pray for me. I left Protestantism about a year ago and became a Catholic. I now feel so confused between the two. Ive stopped going to mass Im just not feeling close to God there. I feel scared to death of going to hell. I can’t shake my fear and feel no assurance of salvation in my Catholic faith. Please pray for me. part of my fear is due to a psychological experience I had where I was in hell and its scared the pants off of me. Please pray that i can live more by faith and find my way to peace.
 
Praying to the Lord for your heart and intentions.

(I was Protestant Evangelical for about 30 years and Spring of 2015 was confirmed into the Catholic Church. Try to find a spiritual director in your Church (like I did) or speak with the priest. Meet regularly with him/her to hash out your concerns and spiritual issues. This helped me greatly.)
 
Praying for you, dear one. Be at peace.

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

– St. Teresa of Avila
 
May our Blessed Mother Mary wrap her mantle of love around you.

May you be immersed in the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
 
Lord, please grant this soul much grace for faith, hope, love, joy, and much temperance. Quell the evil spirits of discouragement that turn your faithful away from your holy light. Help elohimrules always walk by faith and not by sight with the help and guidance of holy and wise angels. Instill in elohimrules a great zeal and confidence in your love through the hand of Our Lady. Have mercy, Lord. Our Lady, angels, and saints, pray with us. Amen.
 
Praying for the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Go to Adoration if possible and pray. I was a convert too and was faced with issues that came up, but I am still a Catholic.
 
7_Sorrows said:
Praying for the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Go to Adoration if possible and pray. I was a convert too and was faced with issues that came up, but I am still a Catholic.
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Why did you convert and what issues did you have a hard time with. I only ask because I am torn between the two right no?
 
Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance, direction, strength, fortitude & wisdom in your time of need.
 
I’m so sorry you are going through this. :console:

I’ve had times I’ve felt the same way, wanting assurance and fear of “not making the cut” somehow, although I hadn’t the extra stress of your hell experience. :eek: It was after I really started to take my faith seriously and studied more about the realities of hell and mortal sin and all. I went to a priest and told him I wanted to see my scorecard! I wanted reassurance I was going to make it.

I think for many people their journey in faith begins with a kind of scrupulosity and fear in the beginning. I believe it was a starting place for St. Therese of Lisieux. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but it has to grow into a more trusting relationship.

I realized this while examining the words of the Act of Contrition:
I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they have offended thee my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love.
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So I needed to grow in my relationship from one of fear to one of trusting love.

I’ve come to fully place my trust in Jesus for my salvation. I have complete confidence in this now (so it must be a gift of grace). He knows my heart and knows that I desire nothing more than to be a saint and live with Him forever. I know He won’t let me down and will come get me if I ever stray like one of the 99. He will provide me the grace if I place all my trust in Him.

I’ve also come to understand that Purgatory is truly a mercy. I realized the only way I would go to hell would be if I persisted in mortal sin with the three conditions necessary and didn’t repent in my heart and get to confession asap. Although I’m still a sinner (which scares me sometimes) each time I fall I make a sincere Act of Contrition and go back to confession with resolve that I’ll never stop until I’m dead.

Now I am confident that if I persevere in prayer and try to grow closer to Him a little more each day with all the tools the Church provides, my Jesus will most assuredly not let me down. :crossrc:

So, will I be saved? It is my HOPE! It is the reason for my existence! I place all my trust in the most merciful Jesus!

BTW: I Believe in Love is a great book about St Therese that is super helpful for dealing with this very subject. Highly, highly recommend!!! 🙂

As for not “feeling” close to God at mass, all of the saints have had times like this, so you are not alone. It’s completely normal to have spiritual dryness at times and not “feel” God at all. It’s part of how He tests our love. The feelings will come and go in any relationship but true love perseveres even when the feelings aren’t there.

It can be super hard, and satan wants you to quit. It seems he’s throwing quite a lot your way right now. He loves to pick on new converts especially! Just remember that fear (the kind that scares you away, not the kind that makes you grow in proper respect) is never from the Holy Spirit.

Ask St. Michael to escort you to confession and to mass as soon as possible and I will pray for you during my rosary now.
 
I don’t think your in danger of Hellfire if you are confused. You are not deniying your faith, but just need some time for things to settle out. It happens to many converts in the first year. Unless you have an epiphany/sudden leap of unshakable faith, it is OK to have a little confusion. Your former Protestant religion is deeply ingrained and it is hard to shake loose of it at times. The poster who suggested that you find a spiritual director or speak to a priest gave good advise. We will pray for you.
 
Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

Prayer to Our Lady of Mental Peace

O Lady of Mental Peace,
Mother of Tranquility
and Mother of Hope,
look upon elohimrules in this time
of weakness and unrest.

Teach her searching heart
to know that God’s Love
for her is unchanging and
unchangeable, and, that
true human love can only
begin and grow by touching
His Love.

Let your gentle Peace -
which this world cannot give
  • be always with her.
    And, help her to bring this
    same Peace into the lives
    of others.
Our Lady of Mental Peace,
  • Pray for us!
    Amen.
Jesus, Help Me!

In every need let me come to You with humble trust,
saying:
Jesus, help me!
In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations:
Jesus, help me!
In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials:
Jesus, help me!
In the failure of my plans and hopes, in disappointments,
troubles and sorrows:
Jesus, help me!
When others fail me, and Your Grace alone can assist me:
Jesus, help me!
When I throw myself on Your tender Love as Savior:
Jesus, help me!
When my heart is cast down by failure, at seeing no good
come from my efforts:
Jesus, help me!
When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates me:
Jesus, help me!
When I am ill, and my head and hands cannot work and
I am lonely:
Jesus, help me!

Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls and short-
comings of every kind:
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me and never forsake me!

Amen

†
 
Will pray to Mary for you and cannot suggest you do so, especially through the rosary, enough.
 
**A Prayer for Trust and Confidence in God’s Mercy **

O Lord,
we ask for a boundless confidence
and trust in Your divine mercy,
and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings
which bring immense goodness
to our souls and that of Your Church.

Help us to love You
with a pure and contrite heart,
and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross,
as we climb the mountain of holiness,
carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory.

May we receive You with great faith
and love in Holy Communion,
and allow You to act in us
as You desire for your greater glory.

O Jesus, most adorable Heart
and eternal fountain of Divine Love,
may our prayer find favor
before the Divine Majesty
of Your heavenly Father.

by St. Pio of Pietrelcina​
 
I will pray for your comfort and strength in faith. Do not fear, God loves and is always with you.
 
Oh my dear, I have been exactly where you are. In fact, it was a fear of Hell that caused me to reject Catholicism altogether and convert to Christian Universalism for a time (I attended non-denominational Christian churches). Take a deep breath and know that Jesus loves you, and Hell isn’t a place He will allow you to end up in easily. Do not give in to scrupulosity and a morbid fear of Hell; it’s a temptation from Satan to kill your joy and disturb you spiritually. You are in the same place that Martin Luther was; scrupulous and fearful, to the point of rejecting Christ’s church in favor of creating his own. I’ve been there.

Relax! The fact that you are so concerned about this is proof that you are not heading to Hell. It’s all those souls who don’t give two straws about eternal judgement that we should be worried about. 👍

My conversion to Catholicism involved careful study of the Bible, as well as using common sense. Ultimately, Protestantism was too divided on every significant theological issue. I wanted to know the truth. Not my truth, or what Martin Luther said was true. I wanted to know what Jesus said was true. Only the Catholic Church claimed that Jesus had founded a church that would last so that we could know what was true. Only Catholicism–out of all world religions–was unified and consistent. For 2000 years. Further, the Protestant claim that Christianity is founded on the Bible doesn’t really make sense since the Bible as we know it wasn’t even compiled until the end of the 4th century. I could go on and on!

Study it out. Do not be Catholic because of feelings or impressions or inclination. Convert intellectually and you will be converted for good.

As to Hell, Protestantism doesn’t make things any easier. You are only saved if you sincerely believe. What is the test of that? Does saying the Jesus prayer guarantee that you have sincerely believed and accepted Jesus? Even Protestants will admit that it is possible for someone to verbally accept Jesus, but not accept Him in their heart. How can you know? The Catholic sacraments provide us with tangible benchmarks to know that we are on the right path.

Further, the Bible warns us against false prophets and dissenters. How do you know which Protestant sect is the right one? Jesus says that He is the bread of life, and that those who eat his flesh and drink his blood will have eternal life. As a Protestant, how would you explain that teaching, since many Protestant churches do not regularly practice communion? And if they do, how do you know they are blessing it properly?

By what authority do they do and know anything?

Protestantism is much more frightening than Catholicism. In Catholicism, there is clarity rooted in history, the Bible, and apostolic authority; there is also the opportunity to covenant with God in Baptism and receive sure absolution in Confession. In Protestantism, there are only endless unknowns. If you are afraid of eternal punishment, Protestantism is surely not a comfort when you really think about it!

Now, as for fear of Hell in Catholicism. I’ve been there, believe me. You may want to consider reading the writings of the saints on scrupulosity. There is an excellent book called “Scruples and Sainthood: Overcoming Scrupulosity with the help of the Saints” by Trent Beattie.

That book will help you to calm down. Make sure you’re not making mountains out of molehills. Catholic moral theology is reasonable. Let grave matter be what it sounds like: grave matter. There is liberty in doubt, so if you’re not sure something was gravely sinful, move on. Don’t be obsessive. God doesn’t want you getting stuck. He wants you to learn how to use your own better judgement and not make mountains out of molehills. Catholicism is a test in intellectual discipline and overcoming your fears. Above all, though, it is a test in trusting in God.

What I finally came to understand after working through my own fears is that the goal of discipleship is not to be certain, it’s to trust. The Church teaching is that, due to the brokenness of human nature, it’s hard for us to be objective about anything, including our own salvation. So in a sense, let that demand of knowing exactly where you stand, go. I know that sounds like a huge thing to let go of, but you have to do it. It’s an exercise in trust. Demanding to know your salvation status–or really anything–is ultimately pride. We weren’t created by God to know things with certainty, we were created to trust in Him like little children. Become a little child. Tell God that you want to be with Him forever. If you are aware of a serious sin, confess it. For those things you’re unsure of, just trust that God will guide you to confession if and when you need to go. And remember this: God wants your salvation even more than you do. He loves you. You are His child. He died for you. He has a plan for your spiritual development. He wants you to not be afraid. He won’t send you to Hell on a technicality or something that was unclear. Hell is a place you go because you definitely reject God. If you are someone who is concerned about your salvation, prays regularly, and participates in the sacramental life of the Church, rest assured that your life is bearing good fruit and you are one of the blessed people on the ark heading to Heaven.

I wish I could somehow help you feel better, I have so been there!!

Just stop! LOL

Just stop worrying and start loving your Catholic faith! Love life, Jesus, and your Catholic faith and trust in God that everything is going to work out just fine. 👍
 
Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

Prayer to Our Lady of Mental Peace

O Lady of Mental Peace,
Mother of Tranquility
and Mother of Hope,
look upon elohimrules in this time
of weakness and unrest.

Teach her searching heart
to know that God’s Love
for her is unchanging and
unchangeable, and, that
true human love can only
begin and grow by touching
His Love.

Let your gentle Peace -
which this world cannot give
  • be always with her.
    And, help her to bring this
    same Peace into the lives
    of others.
Our Lady of Mental Peace,
  • Pray for us!
    Amen.
Jesus, Help Me!

In every need let me come to You with humble trust,
saying:
Jesus, help me!
In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations:
Jesus, help me!
In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials:
Jesus, help me!
In the failure of my plans and hopes, in disappointments,
troubles and sorrows:
Jesus, help me!
When others fail me, and Your Grace alone can assist me:
Jesus, help me!
When I throw myself on Your tender Love as Savior:
Jesus, help me!
When my heart is cast down by failure, at seeing no good
come from my efforts:
Jesus, help me!
When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates me:
Jesus, help me!
When I am ill, and my head and hands cannot work and
I am lonely:
Jesus, help me!

Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls and short-
comings of every kind:
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me and never forsake me!

Amen

†
 
Praying for you!

Maybe, just a suggestion, find another parish where you feel welcomed.
But most of all, perhaps, develop a relationship with Christ, through the Blessed Sacrament. I know that when the outward signs of Christ’s love - the church, seems unwelcoming, cold, distant, or even pushy, I look to Christ in the sacrament, and remind myself that He is there for me, even if the people around me are not.

Another small suggestion, is if there is a small group ministry, (bible study, Legion of Mary, prayer, or service group) perhaps join it, where you can be discipled and led by people of great faith. If you are surrounded by people of faith, it helps heal your hurt heart.

God bless you, sweet one, for coming here, where you can also be nourished by people of faith. Keep on coming here, even if right now you are struggling with the Church. It’s here too, (in a smaller way)

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.
 
†

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen. †

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the Fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.

Amen. †

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle,
be our defense against the wickedness and snares
of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray.
And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the
power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other
evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen. †

St. Thérèse of Liseux Prayer From “Story of A Soul”

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Amen. †

Lord, thank you that you are with me right now.
Your love surpasses all fear.
I give you the anxiety I feel.
I surrender all my worries to you.
Clear my mind;
Calm my heart;
Still my Spirit;
Relax my being, that, I may
always glorify you in everything
I write, speak and do.

Amen. †

Jesus, Help Me

In every need let me come to Thee with humble trust, saying,
Jesus, help me!

In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations,
Jesus, help me!

In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials,
Jesus, help me!

In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles and sorrows,
Jesus, help me!

When my heart is cast down by failure, at seeing no good come from my efforts,
Jesus, help me!

When others fail me, and Thy grace alone can assist me,
Jesus, help me!

When I throw myself on Thy tender love as Father and Savior,
Jesus, help me!

When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates me,
Jesus, help me!

When sickness and loneliness overcome me,
Jesus, help me!

Always, in weakness, falls and shortcomings of every kind,
Jesus, help me and never forsake me.

Thank You, dear Lord Jesus.

Amen. †

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.
Sweet Heart of my Jesus, grant that I may always love You more.
Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, set our hearts on fire with love of You.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like Your Heart.

Thank You, dear Lord Jesus.

Amen. †

:signofcross: :blessyou:
 
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