Embarassingly seeking answers

[saylo]

The devil and his minions are real and they roam on the earth to inject doubt . I have experienced thoughts in the COMMUNION LINE and they were “otherworldly.”

Sometimes I think these things come at you because of your progress toward God. They never come when you have already fallen out of grace but only when your spirit is connected with God.

I read sometime ago (don’t remember the author but it was a Catholic theme) that if we were equpped with eyeglasses that would allow us to see the spirit world we will see there are spiritual beings everywhere…including demons.

 

[byers]

317 - What you describe seems to come under the description of what is known as spiritual attack. The ONLY solution is prayer. You must start praying immediately when it starts and not stop until it is over. It will lessen greatly in time if you do this…

The rosary is the best for this. Our Lady will come and help you.
God bless.

 

[Dusan]

Dear byers, I like 317, have experienced the same situation for many years, and I have finally found out that it is attributed to medication that I must take, or face a slow process of dying, which I faced for over 25 years.The priest told me that it is not my fault as long as I do not submit to what I am tempted. I have prayed without ceasing, about every conceivable prayer for many years.I have been faced with these and health problems that prevent me from attending mass at times.The health problems are not major, but things that make me fearful of driving or doing something that I fear could be dangerous for me or others.I am a devout catholic, and believe without doubt, that my Lord Jesus Christ is permitting me to be tempted to prove my love for him, to prove to satan, after many years of devotion, that I will not abandon my Lord. I still feel my Lord’s presence and love. When I pray, these attacks are distant from me, so I know that Jesus is near. Our Lord utilizes things and methods that we do not comprehend, but they are used to strengthen us in our faith. As days, weeks, months and years pass by, these things lessen, but I must be consistent in my faith. As the saying goes,“you can not understand something until you experience it”. Your (name removed by moderator)ut is a great quality and virtue, but sometimes the same answer does not apply to others.We must remain strong and persistent in our faith. Being tested is part of our being and faith, and it will not cease as long as we are on this earth.

 

[byers]

Dusan,
I absolutely agree with you and your situation is quite different due to the medications. It also sounds like you are doing a very beautiful job of dealing with it. God bless you.

I also agree these unbidden thoughts and things are not in themselves sinful, but are tortuous temptations that we must fight. Yours is a very unique cross.

My answer was just meant as a general help to those undergoing such ordeals and in those cases, concerted intense prayer is the answer. No offense and I’m glad you brought up another aspect most would not even think of…I sure didn’t

 

[vocatio]

I disappointed to have seen several people pawn this off as “scrupulosity”. I’m not convinced. In each case it is someone that is growing closer to God spiritually after some sort of conversion experience. I was perfectly fine too as a practicing Protestant. Then suddenly I start getting bombarded with all sorts of temptation in thoughts. Thankfully, I’ve mastered self control of the body, but thoughts are easilty provoked. I too struggle with rediculous thoughts that just pop up in the middle of my prayers. As a practicing Protestant I prayed constantly too without the problems. But now as a practicing Catholic, I find my spiritual battle increased with the burdens of Satan constantly picking on me…us. I believe its really part of the spiritual battle that is taking place - Not scrupulocity. I find that to be a view held by those that do not truly trust in God and they do not realize the intensity of the battle for our immmortals souls. You see, when we begin to grow truly close to God, Satan targets us. This is very true. Read the life of Padre Pio. Many of the Saints had similar struggles with demons beating and taunting them. I’ve had similar experiences…even seen them and felt their power. But God and his angels are more powerful.

The real question is why does God allow this to happen. I believe its part of the Plan. It’s part of some big picture that actually serves God. It’s either that or we’re crazy…but not scrupulous. i firmly believe its part of our spiritual battle. No noe ever said it would really get easier. Just say your prayers and take time ot meditate on the mysteries thoroughly. Offer up the struggles and if you feel compelled bring it up to your spiritual director, confessor.

 

[byers]

Well said vocatio!

The devil often appears to especially target and torment Catholics. Most protestants do not know this…but once they have become Catholic, like you, they do!

 

[Dusan]

Yes Byers, satan tempts and torments catholics more-so than other religions, or denominations, because he knows that they belong to the one true catholic church, the one true faith established by Jesus Christ through Peter. Did He not say,“on this rock I will build my church”, referring to Peter, the first Pope and major apostle.No other church has these doctrines or foundation than the holy catholic church. If you want to be tempted constantly, with viciousness by satan, just be or become a catholic.It is something we should be extremely proud of, being a catholic. We may be tempted, weakened, battered and bruised, but we, catholics and the catholic church will not be destroyed.Other religions, or denominations seek what the catholic church possesses, through hatred and jealousy. I firmly believe others, deep in their souls seek what we catholics have and that is the one true faith and church and all its splendor. All other denominations are splinters of the catholic church, because they did not possess the hunger for true faith and catholic church and its Petrine doctrine, which taught that the catholic church was founded by Peter, the first pope and successor of Jesus. We must fight more, because we possess more. Do not other religions and denominatinions hate the catholic church, therefore they are the allies of satan, because they also seek to destroy the catholic church. The one thing that amazes me is that many search out information to destroy the catholic church, but in doing so they find the truth, and become catholics, and very good catholics. I have met many priests, very good priests, that were previously baptist,and they seem to know more than the priests that have been catholics all their life.
So we must be thankful and grateful that we were chosen to be catholics. I do not say proud, because pride is not a virtue.I do pray that more catholics and the catholic church would return to more humility, such as receiving communion on the knees and kneeling instead of standing at moments when we use to kneel. I had an experience, when I was about to receive communion, I heard the voice of our Blessed Mother,(I assume it to be her voice,because it was a beautiful woman’s voice), speaking to my heart or soul," my Son wants you to receive Him on your knees". I have been faithful to Her request by falling on my knees without pain or feeling. I was fortunate enough, with my wonderful wife to go to Rome, and climb the Scala Sancta,(holy steps that Jesus climbed to appear before Pontius Pilate).I have excellent and healthy knees. There are 31 steps,(originally 28), that I had to climb on my knees only, which is required. I never, in all my life, felt so much pain as I knelt on the first step.I was ready to quit on that first step.I was determined to climb those steps, which I did with so much pain, as I prayed the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be on each step, to reach the crucifix at the top.My wife, with bad knees, made it up with no pain. I often wonder, was my Lord Jesus showing me some of the pain He endured,but not as extreme as His.
That is what it means to be a Catholic,to be tempted, suffer and endure.
God bless you and all catholics, and our Holy Catholic Church!