Excaliber,
Since I’ve known you longer than anyone else on here, I felt I should give you some of my thoughts and responses to your statements.
Conversion from one religion to another is the hardest thing I have ever attempted. Conversion to a religion that is such the opposite of JW seems ALMOST impossible.
This I do not doubt. Knowing what I know about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, I would think that this would be one of the more difficult religions to convert from. (I suppose Islam might perhaps be more difficult, but certainly the JW’s present some unique challenges.) Just remember that you have a support team both here and on Catholic Community Forums.
Conversion to a religion that’s the opposite of everything you were raised to believe…while going through a MAJOR depression IS IMPOSSIBLE.
I feel like I used everything I had trying to be a good Jehovahs witness…pioneered…went to bethel…etc…etc
I read this and immediately had a thought. You are still very new to Catholicism, and have much to learn. Once more, you’re still finding your OWN place within the religion. Now, as a Jehovah’s Witness, much of your time was spent
witnessing to other people. However, before you get back into the swing and start teaching other people about your faith, you need to rediscover what your OWN faith is and what it means to you in its new context first. Further, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are very good about diverting people from ANYTHING but their work, since the Final Judgment is imminent. For Catholics, while it is
great to devote yourself to your religion 100%, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to actively do religious things 24 hours a day. Part of your conversion should also entail
socialization. You should find some new friends, since I imagine most of your former ones are JW’s. They don’t have to be Catholic either, I might add. Try getting involved in some things that would NOT have been permitted by the JW’s. Go and volunteer for a charity. Take a history class. Get a hobby. Do some things that get you out and
enjoying the world with people, rather than confining yourself and preparing for the end of days. This will go a long way toward changing your mindset.
Now that Im on empty…I find out that I need to convert to another church…and I pray until Im blue in the face…for things god would want…just a lil strength to read some of my bible( depression for me is the lack of any strenght to do ANYTHING) or I pray for little things like that. And its bad because I will wake up feeling worse then before…like if I could get up…Id jump of my house…LoL.
Remember that God
always hears our prayers, and he always answers them. However, it’s entirely possible that the answer might not be what we want to hear. It is
easy to pray to God during good times. What is important, however, is to know that he gives us the strength to get THROUGH the bad times. Jesus prayed at Gethsemane just before he was to be crucified, and he certainly didn’t receive any relief. That doesn’t, however, mean that God stopped loving him or watching over him. It simply had to be.
Praying is not helping…when you pray for help…you expect it…when nothing at all slightly good happens…you feel that its impossible for God to care…and yet answer no to a prayer for a little strength to read a bible…or go to mass…or a little faith or somethin.
Another thing, with regard to my comments about getting out and meeting people, and getting some non-church related hobbies. God also intends for us to help ourselves. I know I’m going to murder this story, but it goes something like this…
Two men were trapped in a tree during a flood, and one of them was very religious. A boat went by in the distance, and one of the men said, “If we can just swim to the boat, we’ll be saved!” The other said, “I know that God will protect me and rescue me, just wait and see!” So, they waited. Next, a helicopter flew by. The first man yells, “We’re saved!” The other said, “Just wait! I will pray to God and he will provide a miracle to save us!” Finally, some driftwood floated by in the water. The first man says, “That’s it, I’m done waiting!” He jumps in the water, and grabs the driftwood and swims away. The second man says, “Just wait and see! God will save me!” Soon, the water rose so high that the second man died. He now stood before God. Somewhat frustrated, he asked, “God, why on
earth didn’t you save me! I prayed and prayed for a miracle!” God said, “Weren’t you paying attention? I sent a boat, helicopter, and even driftwood! Did you expect me to do
everything for you! You need to help
yourself too!”
its like the devil has me in a checkmate…I ofcourse am not married have no kids…just the absence of everything.
How on earth am I supposed to convert under these conditions?
This aint even fair…its the devil hitting me…the me hitting the floor. then he just keeps kicken so I can never get back up.
I honestly think that a large part of your problem is that you simply haven’t met very many people yet from your new faith. I realize that that can be hard. Catholicism tends to be much more of a personal religion in many ways, where the JW’s are much more social, at least with each other. Many Catholics DO socialize at their church, but for Catholics, the church is just one of many
other social outlets in their lives. Does your church have coffee and doughnuts after Mass? Why not go there and ask father to introduce you to some people. Explain your situation. Be sure to talk about religious AND non-religious matters. Beyond that, look for other opportunities to socialize. That should help alleviate some of the isolation that you feel. You will probably also want to limit your contact with anything JW, at least for now. Instead of worrying how to convert them to the true faith, spend a little time on
yourself and your own faith first. That is
not a sin.
One of the great things about Catholicism is that there is SO much to know. You can learn about it for your whole life, and there is always some other aspect of it that you can learn about. Catholic faith can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. That said, it is possible, sometimes, to overthink things. As long as you’re going to Mass, you believe in the Trinity, you’re not committing any mortal sins, and you’re continuing on your path to conversion, you’re in good shape!
Finally, I’m sorry that you went to pray at your church and that the doors were locked. Usually that is not the case, but sadly, with theft in some cities a problem, some churches do now lock their doors. That said, you can pray anywhere. A good project for you might be to set up a small home shrine or prayer corner where you can pray right at home. They can be simple or elaborate, but most contain a crucifix, rosary, Bible, a couple of candles, and some pictures or statues of your favorite saints. Any other religious books you have might find a home there too.
Hopefully, that helps! WB if you want to talk!
