Does anyone ever experience this?

[Lady_Love]

Sometimes, I feel a ache in my heart. It feels like a plunge of sorrow. I want to cry out and wail as though all is lost. It happens often and I don’t know what it is. I wonder if it is Jesus warning me that a soul is in danger, possibly mine, I don’t know. Prayer does seem to relieve it. Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

It has never happened to me, but it used to happen to my soon-to-be ex-wife. It was often occompanied by a premonition of death of a family member, but only 30% of the time did anyone actually die (she had premonitions of my death several times).

If I were you I’d seek out a medical explanation before pondering a spiritual one. My soon-to-be ex had several compelling medical issues that I used to attribute at least some of it. Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder was chief among them, but also anxiety and depression.

I have much compassion for you. I’d suggest a doctor appointment. Peace.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Sometimes, I feel a ache in my heart. It feels like a plunge of sorrow. I want to cry out and wail as though all is lost. It happens often and I don’t know what it is. I wonder if it is Jesus warning me that a soul is in danger, possibly mine, I don’t know. Prayer does seem to relieve it. Does this happen to anyone else?

This only happens when I’ve committed a grave sin.

However, after confession, Jesus brings me peace and forgiveness, not despair

Could you be scrupulous ?

Jim

 

[Sirach2]

Lady Love,

Since you did not go into detail about your spiritual life, it is very difficult for any of us to discern the source of your travail. It could be the result of either natural or supernatural affliction. I have read descriptions of this, and it could be a manifestation from the Holy Spirit that is sometimes given to a soul of rather advanced spirituality. Since none of us knows your spiritual state, I think you should see a spiritual director who knows you.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Yes, but more of a heaviness and it has been completely unrelated to anything else as far as I know because I had medical exams, etc. Do that. It could be blood sugar, hormones, lack of iron, all sorts of possibilities. It was on and off for a few years but not so much anymore.

It was humbling and helped me to understand the suffering of others. It helped to realize that it is temporary and God is allowing it. I even thought it might be like a spiritual infection. Perhaps I encountered someone oppressed by a dark spirit or something.

The Jesus prayer helped me through it.

 

[Nabooru]

I get the same sensation… When I’m off my meds.

I would suggest seeing a doctor. I have depression and anxiety, and that’s one of the worst symptoms, because that heaviness just sits there. Even if you try to cheer yourself up, that leaden-heart feeling just drags you down.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I have depression and anxiety, and that’s one of the worst symptoms, because that heaviness just sits there. Even if you try to cheer yourself up, that leaden-heart feeling just drags you down.

Getting ourt and taking a walk helped also if I could muster the energy. I also thought ping-pong would help. Starting out slow and shifting focus to the game rather than self, getting involved in it with body and mind.

 

[Seira]

Getting ourt and taking a walk helped also if I could muster the energy. I also thought ping-pong would help. Starting out slow and shifting focus to the game rather than self, getting involved in it with body and mind.

I would play Tetris.

 

[jimmy]

I have felt despair before. As if I was bound to failure, and that no matter what I did I would continue to make the same mistakes over and over until I die. That thought did occur to me in that state a few times. In other words, utter hopelessness. It is about the worst feeling in the world.

What I tend to do when I feel like this is get up and force myself to do something to try and further myself, because I usually feel like that if I am not making any progress. Or even just cleaning and getting things in order or working out can help. Usually it has happened either when I am going to sleep or when I just wake up.

 

[Lady_Love]

Just to be clear. I’m not asking for a diagnosis. I’m asking if this has happened to anyone else.

When I was in a convent discerning religious life 15 years ago, it used to happen to me once in a great while, but it in the past few years it has been a more common occurrence. I have committed no mortal sins, unless maybe I forgot to confess something from years ago but I have been to confession numerous times and even received the sacrament of the sick twice.

p.s. thank you to those who have shared their experiences.