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Melvin
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Hermione,
I struggle with scrupulosity to some extent. It is a daily battle. Sometimes you think you’ve just about got it beat, then you get hit with a real whammy.
All I can say is don’t give up. Sometimes you will be tempted to believe that if you just give up the fight, it will all go away, but that is not true.
I’m not a priest, a religious, or a Catholic therapist, so I may be talking out of turn here, but I believe that scrupulosity is or could be, at least in part, a manifestation of spiritual warfare. We have an enemy that does not want us to enter God’s kingdom or, if we enter it, to remain in it. Of course we also struggle with our own corruptness and the constant bombardment of the world’s continuing drumbeat and advocacy for the sinful life.
But there is help. After discussing a horrible problem with blasphemous thoughts with my priest, he gave me simple words that have been a great comfort during these trials: “It’s what you do with them (the thoughts) that counts.” Refuse to entertain the thoughts, even if you have to repeat over and over in your mind (or even outloud if you are somewhere private where others won’t think you’re crazy) that you refuse them and will not allow them, even if they continue to try to flood your mind even as you refuse them.
If you have a copy of the Catechism, read the section on sin, especially mortal sin and the requirements for a sin to be mortal. Section 1859 reads in part, “Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. It also implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin.” Section 1859. Remember that part about “sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice.”
I have also pasted the link for the Father Santa’s article “Ten Commandments for the Scrupulous.” If you’ve never read it, read it. It has been an incredible help to me.
mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupulosity.htm
Take heart and do not be discouraged. Receiving the sacraments for the first time (at the recent Easter Vigil) helped more than you can imagine. I still struggle, but there is much more peace. Receiving God’s continuing grace through Confession and the Holy Eucharist strengthens me every time.
Finally, don’t forget the Holy Spirit. Ask for His help to protect your mind. You might be surprised.
And for what it’s worth, I will remember you in my prayers on a continuing basis and whenver I have time to spend with the Holy Eucharist, I will pray for you as well.
The Lord be With You.
I struggle with scrupulosity to some extent. It is a daily battle. Sometimes you think you’ve just about got it beat, then you get hit with a real whammy.
All I can say is don’t give up. Sometimes you will be tempted to believe that if you just give up the fight, it will all go away, but that is not true.
I’m not a priest, a religious, or a Catholic therapist, so I may be talking out of turn here, but I believe that scrupulosity is or could be, at least in part, a manifestation of spiritual warfare. We have an enemy that does not want us to enter God’s kingdom or, if we enter it, to remain in it. Of course we also struggle with our own corruptness and the constant bombardment of the world’s continuing drumbeat and advocacy for the sinful life.
But there is help. After discussing a horrible problem with blasphemous thoughts with my priest, he gave me simple words that have been a great comfort during these trials: “It’s what you do with them (the thoughts) that counts.” Refuse to entertain the thoughts, even if you have to repeat over and over in your mind (or even outloud if you are somewhere private where others won’t think you’re crazy) that you refuse them and will not allow them, even if they continue to try to flood your mind even as you refuse them.
If you have a copy of the Catechism, read the section on sin, especially mortal sin and the requirements for a sin to be mortal. Section 1859 reads in part, “Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. It also implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin.” Section 1859. Remember that part about “sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice.”
I have also pasted the link for the Father Santa’s article “Ten Commandments for the Scrupulous.” If you’ve never read it, read it. It has been an incredible help to me.
mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupulosity.htm
Take heart and do not be discouraged. Receiving the sacraments for the first time (at the recent Easter Vigil) helped more than you can imagine. I still struggle, but there is much more peace. Receiving God’s continuing grace through Confession and the Holy Eucharist strengthens me every time.
Finally, don’t forget the Holy Spirit. Ask for His help to protect your mind. You might be surprised.
And for what it’s worth, I will remember you in my prayers on a continuing basis and whenver I have time to spend with the Holy Eucharist, I will pray for you as well.
The Lord be With You.
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