Did I Give The Evil One An Opportunity?

[DeniseNY]

In Church last night, I lit a candle before Liturgy and remembering saying as part of my prayer that I’m afraid to look forward to things with hope, because it seems that when I do, things go wrong. Well, during the Liturgy, when I was trying to focus, my mind kept going back to all the things that could go wrong in 2017. And my tinnitus got really loud. One of things I had lit the candle for was to be healed of this affliction. Did I express doubt/lack of faith, and as a result, let Satan in?

By the way, I have seen specialists about the tinnitus (Cleveland Clinic). Had an MRI and CAT scan, and both came back ok.

I know Satan looks for opportunities to get to us. But, in Church?

 

[Gertabelle]

My experience with my very mild tinnitus (I don’t notice it in a noisy setting unless I really focus on it) is that the volume increases with stress. So sitting there thinking about all the things that could go wrong in 2017 likely turned up the volume. This is a physical, not spiritual, response.

As for your mind focusing on all the negative… it happens to all of us from time to time. And I can think of no better place to bring your concerns and fears than to Our Lord!

“Take refuge in God, all you people.
Trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him
for God is our refuge.”
~ Ps. 62:9

I think faith is not the absence of doubts and worries. Rather, it is a choice to trust God in the face of those doubts and worries.

Be at peace. And I will keep your intentions in my prayers.

 

[DeniseNY]

My experience with my very mild tinnitus (I don’t notice it in a noisy setting unless I really focus on it) is that the volume increases with stress. So sitting there thinking about all the things that could go wrong in 2017 likely turned up the volume. This is a physical, not spiritual, response.

As for your mind focusing on all the negative… it happens to all of us from time to time. And I can think of no better place to bring your concerns and fears than to Our Lord!

“Take refuge in God, all you people.
Trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him
for God is our refuge.”
~ Ps. 62:9

I think faith is not the absence of doubts and worries. Rather, it is a choice to trust God in the face of those doubts and worries.

Be at peace. And I will keep your intentions in my prayers.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful response! I greatly appreciate it, and your prayers.

I will also remember you in my prayers as well, I hope you and yours have a blessed and happy 2017!