Could these be temptations away from marriage?

[JMKC]

So, last week my wonderful girlfriend and I got engaged. Prior to this, I felt 100% certain about my vocation to marriage. I had considered the priesthood in the past, but these thoughts would always disappear. A few days before proposing, I started worrying that I might be disobeying God by getting married if He is actually calling me to be a priest. Now, I do have a respect for the priesthood and don’t see it as being impossible that I could be a priest, but when it comes to thinking about my future, what will bring me joy and what will be best for my soul, and when I look at the course of my life, marriage makes the most sense and (I know this is not necessarily the right approach) it’s what I desire the most, not just for my sake but for the sake of my future wife and children. Thinking about these vocations questions has been very stressful because I keep going in circles, justifying my decision to get engaged, demonstrating to myself why these worries aren’t necessarily a call from God, and then going back to the start to make sure, just in case I’m trying to fool myself. I feel like I’m not truly attracted to the priesthood but merely thinking about it out of a worried obligation to do so because I don’t want to disobey God.

When it comes to me and my fiancée, things are amazing. She is the woman of my dreams and has so often challenged me to be a better Catholic, and amazed me by her faith and knowledge. When I think about what attracts me to marriage, an important part is the duty to deny myself to serve her and (God willing) our children.

It came to my mind that, given my complete certainty about my vocation to marriage, the fact that I had these worries right before proposing could be an indication of a temptation away from my vocation. So, to get to my question, is it possible that these thoughts could be temptations from the devil? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[FrenzyJen]

Less from the devil, more just run of the mill thoughts for a life changing event like an engagement. It’s always normal to consider the what-ifs, especially with something this life changing.

Congrats on your engagement

 

[frizzgrig]

Maybe, maybe not. You are the only person who will eventually be able to answer that question.

A vocation to the priesthood is a good thing, but so is a vocation to marriage. Neither is necessarily disobeying God. You need to take the time necessary to discern what it is you are being called to. Talk with your fiancee, parish priest and diocesan vocations director.

More than likely it is a case of “cold feet” wondering “what if” so now is the time to figure it out.

Sorry this is not more help - you can not get an easy answer to this question from a stranger.

 

[Petaro]

Probably not the devil. He doesn’t want more priests. More likely the vacillations our mind normally make on or immediately after a big decision. Pretty normal I would think.
Give yourself a big shake, recognize the pearl of great price you have just won. As a man of honour how would it be if you texted your fiancee stating that you had decided on the priesthood? See how ludicrous in reality this sounds? Now get back to reality and realise that God calls most good men to marriage and even has a sacrament for this most natural of all vocations. God bless and stop thinking silly and go ring your girl.

 

[david_patrick]

hi,
some one already mentioned ‘cold feet.’ i was not going to say anything though

still you seek something…from the good catholics from the forum…what might that be?

the devil temps-an avalanche bumps-a printing press stamps-and marriage never limps-as empowered to persevere and endure…

the should be groom will earn an identity and persevere …the same identity will endure…
although marriage begins with "I do…)
Identity can discovered with the words “I am…”

THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAYS ABOUT ME, THEREFORE I BELIEVE IT AND MAKE IT MY REALITY

I am not an orphan; I have been adopted into God’s family through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5)
I overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Rev. 12:11)
I have been redeemed, forgiven, cleansed, justified, sanctified by the Blood of Jesus (Eph. 1:7; 1 Jn. 1:7; Ro. 5:9; Heb. 13:12)
I have been delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred into God’s Kingdom (Col. 1:13)
I am born again (Jn. 3:5)
I am a new creation because I am in Christ; the old has passed away (2 Cor. 5:17)
The Lord is doing something new in my life (Isa. 43:19)
The Lord has amazing plans for my life (1 Cor. 2:9)
I am not anxious about my life (Matt. 6:25)
I have been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3)
I am an Ambassador for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20)
I am seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6)
I am a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19)
I have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witness (Acts 1:8)
I am not timid, for the Spirit I have received is a Spirit of power and love, and self-control (2 Tim. 1:7)
I can hear His voice (Jn. 10:27)
I can prophecy (1 Cor. 14:31)
I can heal the sick (Matt. 10:8)
The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me (Ro. 8:11)
I have the power of life and death in my tongue (Pro. 18:21)
Greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world (1 Jn. 4:4)
I can go boldly before the throne of grace to receive His help (Heb. 4:16)
When I am weak, then I am strong because of His grace (2 Cor. 12: 9, 10)
I am being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Ro. 8:29)
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am more than a conqueror through Him (Ro. 8:37)
The Lord is my Shepherd and I lack nothing (Ps. 23:1)

---

contributed by Luz Maria of the catholic forum

 

[Linusthe2nd]

So, last week my wonderful girlfriend and I got engaged. Prior to this, I felt 100% certain about my vocation to marriage. I had considered the priesthood in the past, but these thoughts would always disappear. A few days before proposing, I started worrying that I might be disobeying God by getting married if He is actually calling me to be a priest. Now, I do have a respect for the priesthood and don’t see it as being impossible that I could be a priest, but when it comes to thinking about my future, what will bring me joy and what will be best for my soul, and when I look at the course of my life, marriage makes the most sense and (I know this is not necessarily the right approach) it’s what I desire the most, not just for my sake but for the sake of my future wife and children. Thinking about these vocations questions has been very stressful because I keep going in circles, justifying my decision to get engaged, demonstrating to myself why these worries aren’t necessarily a call from God, and then going back to the start to make sure, just in case I’m trying to fool myself. I feel like I’m not truly attracted to the priesthood but merely thinking about it out of a worried obligation to do so because I don’t want to disobey God.

When it comes to me and my fiancée, things are amazing. She is the woman of my dreams and has so often challenged me to be a better Catholic, and amazed me by her faith and knowledge. When I think about what attracts me to marriage, an important part is the duty to deny myself to serve her and (God willing) our children.

It came to my mind that, given my complete certainty about my vocation to marriage, the fact that I had these worries right before proposing could be an indication of a temptation away from my vocation. So, to get to my question, is it possible that these thoughts could be temptations from the devil? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

You are engaged now. You should consider that God’s will for you. We need upright Catholic married couples as much as we need upright priests. Just make certain you will be an exemplary married couple. Good luck.

Linus2nd

 

[Jeremyah]

So, last week my wonderful girlfriend and I got engaged. Prior to this, I felt 100% certain about my vocation to marriage. I had considered the priesthood in the past, but these thoughts would always disappear. A few days before proposing, I started worrying that I might be disobeying God by getting married if He is actually calling me to be a priest. Now, I do have a respect for the priesthood and don’t see it as being impossible that I could be a priest, but when it comes to thinking about my future, what will bring me joy and what will be best for my soul, and when I look at the course of my life, marriage makes the most sense and (I know this is not necessarily the right approach) it’s what I desire the most, not just for my sake but for the sake of my future wife and children. Thinking about these vocations questions has been very stressful because I keep going in circles, justifying my decision to get engaged, demonstrating to myself why these worries aren’t necessarily a call from God, and then going back to the start to make sure, just in case I’m trying to fool myself. I feel like I’m not truly attracted to the priesthood but merely thinking about it out of a worried obligation to do so because I don’t want to disobey God.

When it comes to me and my fiancée, things are amazing. She is the woman of my dreams and has so often challenged me to be a better Catholic, and amazed me by her faith and knowledge. When I think about what attracts me to marriage, an important part is the duty to deny myself to serve her and (God willing) our children.

It came to my mind that, given my complete certainty about my vocation to marriage, the fact that I had these worries right before proposing could be an indication of a temptation away from my vocation. So, to get to my question, is it possible that these thoughts could be temptations from the devil? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Quit being stupid and get married. Once you are married, it IS the vocation you are called to.

Take it if you have the chance. Not doing so is the stupidest thing you could ever do.