Doubts about my faith

[Julie_de_Sales]

In the last period of time I started to doubt my faith a lot, still believing that there is a God, but struggling with the majority of the dogmas and morals of the Catholic Church. It even makes me angry at God, because I get the impression that He is covered in every situation: for example, if someone prays to obtain a good thing and he doesn’t, the response is that maybe it’s not for now, or later, or that God has something better in-store. Or maybe you haven’t prayed hard enough, or with enough faith or purity of intention, etc. It’s never God’s fault, but always the person’s. It seems that we always have to justify our beliefs. Sometimes when I pray or go to Mass I feel like I’m faking it, that what we do is nonsense. So many mysteries, questions left unanswered, “things we will only understand in heaven”. When it comes to our moral conduct, there are some actions I don’t do 90% because they are a “sin” but not because I can clearly see why they are forbidden.
What makes things worse is that I’m also considering a religious vocation, I have felt a call since childhood, but, especially when I want to make a step towards it, I’m struggling so hard that not only I can’t stand anymore the idea of becoming a nun but even practicing my faith altogether.
If you have had doubts about the faith before, how did you overcome them? I’m sure some of you will advise me to go talk to a priest of SD, but I don’t know if he could give me answers…maybe it will just boil down to “it’s a mistery”…

 

[LethalMouse]

What sins do you struggle with? I haven’t found sins that are contrary to reason outside of the scrupulous

 

[Neithan]

When it comes to prayer, sometimes God says, “No.” I think it’s really that simple. Jesus did say, whatever we ask for in His Name, he will grant; but to ask for something in His Name would be something for which we need to invoke him - something that will glorify God, and of course that will be given in time, according to his will. Prayers of petition, which are always for some “good thing,” are not granted just because we pray for them.

The point of prayer is not to get what you want from God, but to gradually understand that God gives you everything you need to live a good and holy life. Not to conform God to your will, but your will to Him.

As for moral conduct, it’s important to understand why sins are wrong - according to natural law - rather than just to avoid them because they are a sin. Basically, sins lead to addictions (“slavery to self”), destroy relationships and generally cause unhappiness. You can post your doubts and questions here; there are some knowledgeable Catholics here who might help clear away some of your confusion.

God bless

 

[Longing]

I am a Catholic, and have recently been plagued by many questions about God. “Is he really so good?..Why does he do that…Why does he allow that?” In recent weeks, God has started to reveal the answer to some of my questions…though they were not in a way I would have suspected.
I have also come to realize that a lot of church services and religions over-exaggerate things. The Catholic church is no exception. Are all the props and countless prayers really necessary? If they were, God would have told us in the bible, wouldn’t he?
Anyway, I guess what it comes down to is your desire to have some sort of relationship with God. I personally - and don’t let this change your decision at all - don’t see why God would have a closer relationship with, say, a priest than a regular married or single person.

 

[Julian0404]

Suggest you begin reading the lives of the saints, as it sounds very much that you are on the same path.
If you are true in your statements about considering a vocation, then it may be that satan is attacking you, through your faith, to destroy your vocation before it begins. Many saints have had very serious challenges with their faith, but persevered, through their doubt with HOPE. Not with understanding, just HOPE.

Suggest you read about HOPE. Study what the Church teaches about HOPE. And also, begin praying the St. Michael the Archangel prayer against satan, every time you begin to doubt.

HOPE in GOD, do not try to diagram or flow chart HIS WAY’s.

“…those who seek, shall find ME…”

 

[Used2beSherryG]

I am a Catholic, and have recently been plagued by many questions about God. “Is he really so good?..Why does he do that…Why does he allow that?” In recent weeks, God has started to reveal the answer to some of my questions…though they were not in a way I would have suspected.
I have also come to realize that a lot of church services and religions over-exaggerate things. The Catholic church is no exception. Are all the props and countless prayers really necessary? If they were, God would have told us in the bible, wouldn’t he?
Anyway, I guess what it comes down to is your desire to have some sort of relationship with God. I personally - and don’t let this change your decision at all - don’t see why God would have a closer relationship with, say, a priest than a regular married or single person.

We believe in everything the Catholic Church teaches, because it is the church that Jesus started. The Bible was promulgated long after Jesus started his church, hundreds of years, in fact! Your thinking that everything must be in the Bible sounds very protestant. The Bible is a teaching tool, and the letters of the new testament were written to the churches to clear up disputes and misunderstandings. The writings that are included in the Bible, were selected by the Councils of the Catholic Church with the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us his church to guide us, apostolic succession to insure that the Church would not fall into error. As St John’s gospel tells us, not everything that Jesus told us is in the Bible John Chapter 21, v. 24.

 

[Longing]

We believe in everything the Catholic Church teaches, because it is the church that Jesus started. The Bible was promulgated long after Jesus started his church, hundreds of years, in fact! Your thinking that everything must be in the Bible sounds very protestant. The Bible is a teaching tool, and the letters of the new testament were written to the churches to clear up disputes and misunderstandings. The writings that are included in the Bible, were selected by the Councils of the Catholic Church with the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us his church to guide us, apostolic succession to insure that the Church would not fall into error. As St John’s gospel tells us, not everything that Jesus told us is in the Bible John Chapter 21, v. 24.

Firstly, it is verse 25, not 24. Secondly, the verse is speaking about the things Jesus DID, not the things that he SAID. You can’t use these words interchangeably as you please. To do something, and to say something are completely different things.
Also, what you’re saying is that God wrote a book, through people, but that book alone doesn’t hold all the necessary information to fully serve and praise God?

John verse 25: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which,
if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world
itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

 

[johnnyc176]

Firstly, it is verse 25, not 24. Secondly, the verse is speaking about the things Jesus DID, not the things that he SAID. You can’t use these words interchangeably as you please. To do something, and to say something are completely different things.
Also, what you’re saying is that God wrote a book, through people, but that book alone doesn’t hold all the necessary information to fully serve and praise God?

Scripture is what Scripture says it is…

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Tim 3:16-17

But it is not Bible alone

Christ founded the Catholic Church. The Church in turn gave us the Bible.

God’s Word comes to us through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the teaching Authority of the Catholic Church.

 

[ynotzap]

In the last period of time I started to doubt my faith a lot, still believing that there is a God, but struggling with the majority of the dogmas and morals of the Catholic Church. It even makes me angry at God, because I get the impression that He is covered in every situation: for example, if someone prays to obtain a good thing and he doesn’t, the response is that maybe it’s not for now, or later, or that God has something better in-store. Or maybe you haven’t prayed hard enough, or with enough faith or purity of intention, etc. It’s never God’s fault, but always the person’s. It seems that we always have to justify our beliefs. Sometimes when I pray or go to Mass I feel like I’m faking it, that what we do is nonsense. So many mysteries, questions left unanswered, “things we will only understand in heaven”. When it comes to our moral conduct, there are some actions I don’t do 90% because they are a “sin” but not because I can clearly see why they are forbidden.
What makes things worse is that I’m also considering a religious vocation, I have felt a call since childhood, but, especially when I want to make a step towards it, I’m struggling so hard that not only I can’t stand anymore the idea of becoming a nun but even practicing my faith altogether.
If you have had doubts about the faith before, how did you overcome them? I’m sure some of you will advise me to go talk to a priest of SD, but I don’t know if he could give me answers…maybe it will just boil down to “it’s a mistery”…

Did you ever have an encounter with Christ I noticed you haven’t mentioned Him once, although you mentioned God. Jesus is the Gate to real Faith, He is the One that gives the Holy Spirit that instills the Cardinal virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, and He is also God. No one goes to Christ unless the Father calls him or her, and no one goes to the Father except through Jesus. Sounds like you need to be evangelized, Jesus is the Good News! It is His Spirit that will turn you “ON” Doctrines will mean more to you then, and all Catholic teaching. Of course the first requisite is turning to Christ, and turning away from sin, a vocation is a calling from Christ to follow Him. We don’t choose Him, He chooses Us. It’s the Father’s will that all come to Him through His Son who merited salvation for us, it is onlly right and just. Pray for this encounter sincerely, and you will receive it. You can’t really love someone you do not know. I pray that you receive this encounter, it makes all the difference, it’s no mystery.

 

[Rbaker]

I kinda sorta went through the same thing a few months ago. I would question everything the Catholic Church taught, from the authenticity of the Bible, to God’s existence. It got so bad that I didn’t even feel like praying, and I too was a little mad at God. But with great resources like this website and EWTN, I was able to get the answers I needed. I recommend writing all your questions down, and then looking them up on the internet. I think the common theme you will find online is that many of the websites ran by other Christians will not be consistent. But sites like EWTN and this site will offer solid answers that can answer any comeback questions from others or yourself.

OnceI realized that God was allowing me to go through this phase for my own benefit, it gradually went away. It lasted about 2 weeks. I too was thinking about my vocation at the time and want to become a high school religion teacher, so it also could be satan trying to discourage you. Don’t let him win, there is nothing wrong in testing out the waters of the religious life if you feel even the slightest calling.

I will pray for you

 

[ricmat]

In the last period of time I started to doubt my faith a lot, still believing that there is a God, but struggling with the majority of the dogmas and morals of the Catholic Church. It even makes me angry at God, because I get the impression that He is covered in every situation:

God is perfect, we are not. God always wants what’s best, we do not.

This isn’t about “who’s at fault.”

for example, if someone prays to obtain a good thing and he doesn’t, the response is that maybe it’s not for now, or later, or that God has something better in-store. Or maybe you haven’t prayed hard enough, or with enough faith or purity of intention, etc. It’s never God’s fault, but always the person’s.

How could it be God’s fault? Really. This isn’t about “who’s at fault.”

It seems that we always have to justify our beliefs.

Well, you could just always agree with God. Then no justification is required

Sometimes when I pray or go to Mass I feel like I’m faking it, that what we do is nonsense.

That’s actually a good start. Fake it until you make it. But keep searching and trying to understand. Seeking God is seeking Heaven.

So many mysteries, questions left unanswered, “things we will only understand in heaven”.

If we understood it all, we’d be God. As it is, we’ll understand it all in Heaven because we’re not ready for, or capable of understanding everything right now.

When it comes to our moral conduct, there are some actions I don’t do 90% because they are a “sin” but not because I can clearly see why they are forbidden.

That’s really good. That’s what faith is all about. God tells us not to do stuff as we tell our children, “don’t play in the middle of the street.” The children don’t understand why, but when they obey us, it’s a good thing.

What makes things worse is that I’m also considering a religious vocation, I have felt a call since childhood, but, especially when I want to make a step towards it, I’m struggling so hard that not only I can’t stand anymore the idea of becoming a nun but even practicing my faith altogether.

If you have a call, and can actually sense that you have a call, and are willing to even consider that you have a call, you are blessed indeed!!

Perhaps the evil one is very anxious for you not to heed the holy call, and is planting all kinds of doubts in your mind?

 

[dtiggs]

Praying for you to discern God’s will and have clarity in your thoughts and prayers.
God Bless

 

[Graceful_Lamb]

I have been reading the Diary of St. Faustina, and so far, it is a very good read. You might consider purchasing it or borrowing it from your parish library. I also have on my reading list Confessions of St. Augustine.

 

[Used2beSherryG]

Firstly, it is verse 25, not 24. Secondly, the verse is speaking about the things Jesus DID, not the things that he SAID. You can’t use these words interchangeably as you please. To do something, and to say something are completely different things.
Also, what you’re saying is that God wrote a book, through people, but that book alone doesn’t hold all the necessary information to fully serve and praise God?

John verse 25: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which,
if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world
itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

Yes, that is what I am saying. That is what the Church teaches. are you seriously saying that Jesus ONLY said the words recorded in the Bible during his ministry? What Jesus DID generally includes a few words here and there, wouldn’t you agree?