F
felipetrm
Guest
Hi,
First, some context:
I’m F, in my early twenties, I’ve been a practicing catholic for the past three years more or less. Before my conversion of heart I had a short-lived dating relationship in High School, and it was, to be short, worldly. That relationship together with my other sins against chastity scarred me. Ignoring one incident earlier this year, it has been two years since I sinned against chastity alone (thanks be …)
Now to my current struggles. Since my conversion I have struggled with temptations, the intensity of which fluctuated over the years, but now I face a slightly different situation. After deeming myself too immature and not ready for relationships for a couple years (focusing on my prayer life, and discerning married life), I have just started dating with a reasonably catholic gal. I postponed asking her out and second guessed my feelings multiple times, afraid that I could be risking my advances in my spiritual life. But now that’s in the past and I believe that it’s possible that our relationship will help us both in our spiritual lives. The only thing is that, as I said, I have a past and this past comes to haunt me again and again, or at least that’s how I’ve been reading this situation.
Simple affectionate gestures such as holding hands, non-passionate-hugging or sitting near her while we watch a movie promote changes in my body. These are accompanied by spurious thoughts, which, despite being annoying and making me angry with myself (as I’d rather not even be presented these suggestions), I haven’t had a hard time dispelling. [Mind you I wasn’t raised in the US; I was raised in a warmer culture; where hugs and kisses on the cheeks are common place and not sensual at all.] So, I was hoping that someone would be able to help me fighting these undue changes. Since these, thankfully, have not been cause for me to sin and I believe to be, by the Grace of our Lord, firm in my faith, decided not to sin and that my feelings towards my S.O are all but impure and that my part in this relationship was built upon my desire to help her to Heaven, I don’t believe I’m exposing myself to proximate occasions of sin, but I’d like to hear your thoughts on this as well whatever they are.
First, some context:
I’m F, in my early twenties, I’ve been a practicing catholic for the past three years more or less. Before my conversion of heart I had a short-lived dating relationship in High School, and it was, to be short, worldly. That relationship together with my other sins against chastity scarred me. Ignoring one incident earlier this year, it has been two years since I sinned against chastity alone (thanks be …)
Now to my current struggles. Since my conversion I have struggled with temptations, the intensity of which fluctuated over the years, but now I face a slightly different situation. After deeming myself too immature and not ready for relationships for a couple years (focusing on my prayer life, and discerning married life), I have just started dating with a reasonably catholic gal. I postponed asking her out and second guessed my feelings multiple times, afraid that I could be risking my advances in my spiritual life. But now that’s in the past and I believe that it’s possible that our relationship will help us both in our spiritual lives. The only thing is that, as I said, I have a past and this past comes to haunt me again and again, or at least that’s how I’ve been reading this situation.
Simple affectionate gestures such as holding hands, non-passionate-hugging or sitting near her while we watch a movie promote changes in my body. These are accompanied by spurious thoughts, which, despite being annoying and making me angry with myself (as I’d rather not even be presented these suggestions), I haven’t had a hard time dispelling. [Mind you I wasn’t raised in the US; I was raised in a warmer culture; where hugs and kisses on the cheeks are common place and not sensual at all.] So, I was hoping that someone would be able to help me fighting these undue changes. Since these, thankfully, have not been cause for me to sin and I believe to be, by the Grace of our Lord, firm in my faith, decided not to sin and that my feelings towards my S.O are all but impure and that my part in this relationship was built upon my desire to help her to Heaven, I don’t believe I’m exposing myself to proximate occasions of sin, but I’d like to hear your thoughts on this as well whatever they are.