Empathy

[MargaretMae]

You’re good at reading people and making associations. Empathy is something everybody has.

There is a world of difference between empathy and being an empath. You are correct that empathy is an emotion everyone has but unfortunately to widely varying degrees as evidenced by the crime, brutality & war in our world. Being an empath encompasses much more. It is not an emotion but rather who you are. It effects everything in your life from work, to family to at times not even being able to stand everyday things like going to a grocery store. It can be feeling the physical or emotional pain of someone thousands of miles away at the same time they are experiencing it, with no prior knowledge that they are even going thru anything. Yes it is a gift from God to be used as He wills but it can be a very difficult one for some of us as well. It is a huge subject & difficult to explain in a paragraph. Hope this helps a little. God’s blessings to you.

 

[MargaretMae]

That IS wonderful! Like so many things, I think there is a balance to be found with the help of the Holy Spirit - how to manage it for your own sake so you aren’t overwhelmed … and how to use it to help others. What I found for myself (so far) is that there isn’t one “big thing” I’m supposed to do with it, but it’s more a part of who I am within His body and I use the gift for others as He brings them to me. It’s the journey, I guess

I’m SO GLAD you have returned to Mass. The sacraments are an enormous help to me, especially the Eucharist and confession. Does your church offer regular Adoration? Being in the quiet before the LORD regularly has also helped me maintain my peace.

Thank you for taking time to update - you are starting on a wonderful journey and I will pray for you this morning during Adoration!

 

[MargaretMae]

Thank you so much for your prayers. And, for sharing a bit of your journey with me. Your insights have helped. My church does offer adoration & I think it would be so soothing & healing & wonderful to simply sit quietly before the Lord. I used to go to Centering Prayer at a Catholic church & it helped tremendously to just be quiet. I have moved around a lot most of my adult life both around the U.S. & outside of it. Now, at age 61 I have settled into a permanent place. I’m enjoying getting settled in a wonderful church here & getting in a routine of activities like adoration.
Bless you for taking the time to respond.

 

[Semangelof]

One of the things an empath should be mindful of is something that is called soul ties. People who are empathic seem to naturally and unknowingly create them. This especially happens in love relationships.

A soul tie is a one way empathic relationship that is not bound by distance or even contact. They can happen to anyone but empaths tend to create them much more frequently.

A soul tie can last years, even with no contact with the person. If they go through tough times you could find yourself overwhelmed by them no matter where you are. If the other person is involved with evil it can become a nightmare for you.

I don’t know the fine details over them, but if you find yourself overwhelmed by a person you need to break that tie.

The only other things I know about it is that your empathy can work from sounds, hearing someone speak, and even reading a strangers words.

 

[DevotedChild]

One of the things an empath should be mindful of is something that is called soul ties. People who are empathic seem to naturally and unknowingly create them. This especially happens in love relationships.

A soul tie is a one way empathic relationship that is not bound by distance or even contact. They can happen to anyone but empaths tend to create them much more frequently.

A soul tie can last years, even with no contact with the person. If they go through tough times you could find yourself overwhelmed by them no matter where you are. If the other person is involved with evil it can become a nightmare for you.

I don’t know the fine details over them, but if you find yourself overwhelmed by a person you need to break that tie.

The only other things I know about it is that your empathy can work from sounds, hearing someone speak, and even reading a strangers words.

Yes. That explains a lot for me and it is true that some other things of of it. For me I can sense/read people’s thoughts. And i have soul ties with my family members and had one with a guy i know who is also an empath that i had to break that soul tie with but we still have a sort of bond. And distance and location dont hinder my abilities at all.

 

[Semangelof]

Now that we have all these people together. Does anyone have any experiences of their empathy working backwards? I have wondered if it was possible, and it seemed to me that it should follow, but I have no data on the results.

What I mean by backwards is that in the same way that others can paint themselves onto your canvas, can you paint yourself onto theirs? Can your enthusiasm bolster theirs like a silent and hidden charisma?

…obviously there is an evil and a good way to go about this, but it would be interesting if the empathy could be reversed so that you are silently painting the fruits of the Spirit onto people, such as love, joy, and peace.

I know there are people that seem able to suck the life out of a room, so I figure the opposite must be true.

 

[MargaretMae]

Yes. That explains a lot for me and it is true that some other things of of it. For me I can sense/read people’s thoughts. And i have soul ties with my family members and had one with a guy i know who is also an empath that i had to break that soul tie with but we still have a sort of bond. And distance and location dont hinder my abilities at all.

I have ties with my 2 adult children & my husband. I also had a connection with an old school friend who is also an empath. That tie did cause my husband & myself a nightmare situation. We repeatedly prayed & tried to cut that connection and asked St. Michael for help but it kept returning. I don’t know if that person was involved with evil but he was certainly an emotionally disturbed person and seemed determined to not let go. It sounds crazy but it felt like we were being attacked somehow & intruded upon for about a year. Thru the Eucharist we have finally stopped feeling attacked but I do feel a type of bond remains. Maybe I’m being overly concerned since I don’t know much about these things but I do get the impression that although he is blocked for now that he is somehow still hovering around the periphery, has not willingly let go & still wants to connect. I have no idea if this person has been consciously doing this or if he is unaware. I am at a loss as to what to do to get rid of any lingering bond other than to keep putting it in Gods hands. Any advise would be welcome. I do wish to find out about the previous post that empaths can unknowingly create ties. I thought that it was that others can create ties to me without my being aware of it but I assumed that any ties I could create would be with my knowing about it. If so, how do I stop this.

 

[DevotedChild]

I have ties with my 2 adult children & my husband. I also had a connection with an old school friend who is also an empath. That tie did cause my husband & myself a nightmare situation. We repeatedly prayed & tried to cut that connection and asked St. Michael for help but it kept returning. I don’t know if that person was involved with evil but he was certainly an emotionally disturbed person and seemed determined to not let go. It sounds crazy but it felt like we were being attacked somehow & intruded upon for about a year. Thru the Eucharist we have finally stopped feeling attacked but I do feel a type of bond remains. Maybe I’m being overly concerned since I don’t know much about these things but I do get the impression that although he is blocked for now that he is somehow still hovering around the periphery, has not willingly let go & still wants to connect. I have no idea if this person has been consciously doing this or if he is unaware. I am at a loss as to what to do to get rid of any lingering bond other than to keep putting it in Gods hands. Any advise would be welcome. I do wish to find out about the previous post that empaths can unknowingly create ties. I thought that it was that others can create ties to me without my being aware of it but I assumed that any ties I could create would be with my knowing about it. If so, how do I stop this.

I am sorry to hear that. What I did to lessen the bond with my empath friend, which I created accidently and without knowledge, was as a visual person I imagined and brought that bond to mind and made it break and weaken by the power of the mind. That helped me a lot.

Also, another that may help you is ask the Blessed Mother for help. Pray the rosary and see if that helps.

For me, most of the time the ties are created subconsciously but I can make already created bond stronger with my mind consciously. I have done that with a cousin of mine due to the danger she is in from a particularly strong demon.

 

[drz888]

Dearest friends in Christ,

I can relate to all posts here. From my earliest childhood memories until today at 46, God has Blessed me in the many ways you have each described here. Up until reading this thread, I thought no one can relate to anything I feel which is further evidence I do not belong in this world, to be sure, it is a challenging “gift”.

However, I consciously pushed this “gift” away, was concerned it could interfere with my Catholic Faith. For instance, in my mid twenties was turned away as a candidate for Priesthood or Monastic life by every religious person I sought advice from since they all believed I had this “gift” to share with others in a secular vocational role. It just about broke my heart.

So for the past twenty (20) years I tried to run from it, ignore it, even tried to live a more carnal than spiritual life hoping it would go away. Not knowing how to use it or could somehow place my soul and/or other souls in moral dangers scared me spiritually. I was challenged just to enjoy one good night’s sleep when all I most enjoyed doing was reaching out to others physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Then it occurred to me that running from this was running from God, the ultimate wake up call being the one person this “gift” and my love for serving God and others that I was unable to assist or unable to feel, was my Mother, who through depression took her own life in our house one Sunday morning. That happened eight (8) years ago. I could not fathom why I could have such deep empath spiritual connections with people I hardly knew though it failed with the soul I adored most, my Mother. It was like my Mother was not even on the empath radar.

I turned away from God, I became depressed myself, I could not make much sense of life, it has taken this past eight (8) years to find meaning and purpose in life, now the empath gift is stronger than ever. I am still being discouraged from religious vocational calls until I can work more closely with God, though, to be honest, I am not entirely certain what to do even with Spiritual Director guidance. Then of course, at times, the fears haunt me all over including the image of finding my Mother hanging on a rope just before we were about to go to Mass.

Just shared some of my deepest concerns up front, to balance this, I feel at times one of the most blessed souls when God can guide me as an instrument of His Unconditional Love to better serve God and others. I seek the fulfillment of God’s Holy Will in every precious moment of each day, to find others I can relate to on this “gift” here is another extraordinary life blessing, to God be all the Glory.

If anyone can offer any advice or guidance on how best to embrace a life as an empath in the service of God and others, I look forward to your contributions privately and/or or publicly.

God’s Choicest Blessings to you and all your dear ones.

 

[Semangelof]

I am sorry to hear that. What I did to lessen the bond with my empath friend, which I created accidently and without knowledge, was as a visual person I imagined and brought that bond to mind and made it break and weaken by the power of the mind. That helped me a lot.

Also, another that may help you is ask the Blessed Mother for help. Pray the rosary and see if that helps.

I have never tried myself, but these two things, visualization and prayer seem to be the key. Where ever I go on the subject that seems to be the answer.

---

There was one time that I had a soul tie worth breaking but I didn’t. The person was involved with evil, and I suffered for it. I refused to let go of the tie because I could not leave her alone to die, I loved her. It was my hope and belief that in the same way that the evil in her life was able to pass through the soul tie to me, that God in my life would do the same.

I prayed and prayed for her and suffered greatly but after nearly half a year the suffering suddenly stopped. Either God broke the tie, or the evil in her life was gone. There is no way for me to know if my soul tie allowed a reversal. It makes me wonder though. I would not suggest holding onto a bad tie though, it nearly killed me.

I could not fathom why I could have such deep empath spiritual connections with people I hardly knew though it failed with the soul I adored most, my Mother. It was like my Mother was not even on the empath radar.

The following is from a book called “hostage to the devil”. I don’t recommend anyone read it, In fact I ask you not to, so I will quote it here.

There is a real priest given the fake name Fr. Hearty who is also an empath, called here a “receiver” Hearty explains the process here.

The process of receiving “messages” always followed a pattern. The “messages” came as little chunks of knowledge suddenly appearing in Hearty’s Consciousness, always preceded by a short blank period when, it seemed to Hearty, his mind stopped thinking but he remained conscious. Immediately after that, he knew something without knowing what he knew. And then there was a sudden realization of what he knew; images appeared for what he knew; and after that he attached words to the images.

In this real story Fr. Hearty is opaque to another person with the same gift, though the reverse is not true. I don’t know the reasons, but it happens. It’s not your fault. The same author, Fr. Malachi Martin, suggests the gift can, (not must) run in the family. Perhaps there is some “immunity” between two people of the same kind. I don’t know, I just know it happens.

I personally feel that the blank period in the description I quoted from the book is a key element. I think that part can be muddled in familiar relationships. It’s easier with strangers because the blankness is already there. In familiar relationships there is so much more clutter there, your mind is already at work with things, emotions, memories, and purposes.

 

[DevotedChild]

Dearest friends in Christ,

I can relate to all posts here. From my earliest childhood memories until today at 46, God has Blessed me in the many ways you have each described here. Up until reading this thread, I thought no one can relate to anything I feel which is further evidence I do not belong in this world, to be sure, it is a challenging “gift”.

However, I consciously pushed this “gift” away, was concerned it could interfere with my Catholic Faith. For instance, in my mid twenties was turned away as a candidate for Priesthood or Monastic life by every religious person I sought advice from since they all believed I had this “gift” to share with others in a secular vocational role. It just about broke my heart.

So for the past twenty (20) years I tried to run from it, ignore it, even tried to live a more carnal than spiritual life hoping it would go away. Not knowing how to use it or could somehow place my soul and/or other souls in moral dangers scared me spiritually. I was challenged just to enjoy one good night’s sleep when all I most enjoyed doing was reaching out to others physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Then it occurred to me that running from this was running from God, the ultimate wake up call being the one person this “gift” and my love for serving God and others that I was unable to assist or unable to feel, was my Mother, who through depression took her own life in our house one Sunday morning. That happened eight (8) years ago. I could not fathom why I could have such deep empath spiritual connections with people I hardly knew though it failed with the soul I adored most, my Mother. It was like my Mother was not even on the empath radar.

I turned away from God, I became depressed myself, I could not make much sense of life, it has taken this past eight (8) years to find meaning and purpose in life, now the empath gift is stronger than ever. I am still being discouraged from religious vocational calls until I can work more closely with God, though, to be honest, I am not entirely certain what to do even with Spiritual Director guidance. Then of course, at times, the fears haunt me all over including the image of finding my Mother hanging on a rope just before we were about to go to Mass.

Just shared some of my deepest concerns up front, to balance this, I feel at times one of the most blessed souls when God can guide me as an instrument of His Unconditional Love to better serve God and others. I seek the fulfillment of God’s Holy Will in every precious moment of each day, to find others I can relate to on this “gift” here is another extraordinary life blessing, to God be all the Glory.

If anyone can offer any advice or guidance on how best to embrace a life as an empath in the service of God and others, I look forward to your contributions privately and/or or publicly.

God’s Choicest Blessings to you and all your dear ones.

It is wonderful to hear that you have come back. And I am so sorry to hear about your mom.

It is amazing what God can do through us but, like you, I have yet to discover precisely how the Lord wishes to use this gift he gave me. Heck, I have discerned that the religious life is my vocation and that I feel called to both the active and cloistered life, especially I feel called by Our Lady and St. Therese to the Carmelite communities. I will very disappointed if i am turned down because of my gift, which can be used as a religious, especially if I end up in a teaching community.

God Bless you and if your are meant to be a religious it will happen, just keep trying and asking. An empath would very good in situations that deal with people. Being an active Sister or a Parish priest, having the gift of empathy can be very helpful. My spiritual director is an Ghanaian priest at the church down by my school and he is an empath too, which is really helpful for me. He can feel others’ physical pains.

 

[DevotedChild]

The same author, Fr. Malachi Martin, suggests the gift can, (not must) run in the family. Perhaps there is some “immunity” between two people of the same kind.

I would certainly saw that the gift runs in my family. And I wouldnt say that two people with empathy are immune to each other. Rather, in my experiences, it makes the gift all the more strong and makes the people less immune to each other and more attracted to each other.

 

[Semangelof]

I would certainly saw that the gift runs in my family. And I wouldnt say that two people with empathy are immune to each other. Rather, in my experiences, it makes the gift all the more strong and makes the people less immune to each other and more attracted to each other.

I have never had the fortune to meet another person that is the same way, least not that I knew. What is that like?

 

[DevotedChild]

I have never had the fortune to meet another person that is the same way, least not that I knew. What is that like?

A little wierd. It is easy to build a intimate relationship with them without meaning to because it is very easy to connect with person at a deep level. and it makes the bond harder to break.

 

[LPS]

Dearest friends in Christ,

I can relate to all posts here. From my earliest childhood memories until today at 46, God has Blessed me in the many ways you have each described here. Up until reading this thread, I thought no one can relate to anything I feel which is further evidence I do not belong in this world, to be sure, it is a challenging “gift”.

However, I consciously pushed this “gift” away, was concerned it could interfere with my Catholic Faith. For instance, in my mid twenties was turned away as a candidate for Priesthood or Monastic life by every religious person I sought advice from since they all believed I had this “gift” to share with others in a secular vocational role. It just about broke my heart.

So for the past twenty (20) years I tried to run from it, ignore it, even tried to live a more carnal than spiritual life hoping it would go away. Not knowing how to use it or could somehow place my soul and/or other souls in moral dangers scared me spiritually. I was challenged just to enjoy one good night’s sleep when all I most enjoyed doing was reaching out to others physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Then it occurred to me that running from this was running from God, the ultimate wake up call being the one person this “gift” and my love for serving God and others that I was unable to assist or unable to feel, was my Mother, who through depression took her own life in our house one Sunday morning. That happened eight (8) years ago. I could not fathom why I could have such deep empath spiritual connections with people I hardly knew though it failed with the soul I adored most, my Mother. It was like my Mother was not even on the empath radar.

I turned away from God, I became depressed myself, I could not make much sense of life, it has taken this past eight (8) years to find meaning and purpose in life, now the empath gift is stronger than ever. I am still being discouraged from religious vocational calls until I can work more closely with God, though, to be honest, I am not entirely certain what to do even with Spiritual Director guidance. Then of course, at times, the fears haunt me all over including the image of finding my Mother hanging on a rope just before we were about to go to Mass.

Just shared some of my deepest concerns up front, to balance this, I feel at times one of the most blessed souls when God can guide me as an instrument of His Unconditional Love to better serve God and others. I seek the fulfillment of God’s Holy Will in every precious moment of each day, to find others I can relate to on this “gift” here is another extraordinary life blessing, to God be all the Glory.

If anyone can offer any advice or guidance on how best to embrace a life as an empath in the service of God and others, I look forward to your contributions privately and/or or publicly.

God’s Choicest Blessings to you and all your dear ones.

I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother

From reading other posts here, it’s clear to me that though we share the same gift, the way it manifests can be different for each of us. I am like you - my dearest loved ones are not “on my empathy radar” as you put it. So please don’t beat yourself up - that’s just the way it is for some of us.

I have never met another in real life, though I met someone on another messageboard who gave me some guidance. It was such a huge relief to discover I’m not alone!

You are not alone either. :grouphug: Hang in there, make use of the many tools the Catholic church gives to us - the Eucharist, Adoration, reconciliation. For me, God has been leading me into a much deeper prayer life and I think empathy is a help when praying for someone else - I don’t offer a vague “praying for her!” prayer, but can send a heartfelt plea.

Remember that Jesus showed a great deal of empathy. As he approached the tomb of Lazarus, He knew very well what He was about to do and how tears would be turned to rejoicing. But first wept with those who were weeping, sharing their sorrow.

God knows it is a difficult gift, but it is also a wonderful one and I encourage you to continue praying and seeking His guidance about how He would use you. God bless you!

 

[MargaretMae]

Dearest friends in Christ,

I can relate to all posts here. From my earliest childhood memories until today at 46, God has Blessed me in the many ways you have each described here. Up until reading this thread, I thought no one can relate to anything I feel which is further evidence I do not belong in this world, to be sure, it is a challenging “gift”.

However, I consciously pushed this “gift” away, was concerned it could interfere with my Catholic Faith. For instance, in my mid twenties was turned away as a candidate for Priesthood or Monastic life by every religious person I sought advice from since they all believed I had this “gift” to share with others in a secular vocational role. It just about broke my heart.

So for the past twenty (20) years I tried to run from it, ignore it, even tried to live a more carnal than spiritual life hoping it would go away. Not knowing how to use it or could somehow place my soul and/or other souls in moral dangers scared me spiritually. I was challenged just to enjoy one good night’s sleep when all I most enjoyed doing was reaching out to others physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Then it occurred to me that running from this was running from God, the ultimate wake up call being the one person this “gift” and my love for serving God and others that I was unable to assist or unable to feel, was my Mother, who through depression took her own life in our house one Sunday morning. That happened eight (8) years ago. I could not fathom why I could have such deep empath spiritual connections with people I hardly knew though it failed with the soul I adored most, my Mother. It was like my Mother was not even on the empath radar.

I turned away from God, I became depressed myself, I could not make much sense of life, it has taken this past eight (8) years to find meaning and purpose in life, now the empath gift is stronger than ever. I am still being discouraged from religious vocational calls until I can work more closely with God, though, to be honest, I am not entirely certain what to do even with Spiritual Director guidance. Then of course, at times, the fears haunt me all over including the image of finding my Mother hanging on a rope just before we were about to go to Mass.

Just shared some of my deepest concerns up front, to balance this, I feel at times one of the most blessed souls when God can guide me as an instrument of His Unconditional Love to better serve God and others. I seek the fulfillment of God’s Holy Will in every precious moment of each day, to find others I can relate to on this “gift” here is another extraordinary life blessing, to God be all the Glory.

If anyone can offer any advice or guidance on how best to embrace a life as an empath in the service of God and others, I look forward to your contributions privately and/or or publicly.

God’s Choicest Blessings to you and all your dear ones.

I am concerned at your mention of “evidence you do not belong in this world”. I want you to know that there are many, many people who can relate to you. I think it is a blessing you have found this site where you can share with others who understand. Regarding your mother, you did not fail in any way. It is the way these things work sometimes. I hope you continue to be a part of this site, a part of the journey we are all on.

 

[drz888]

Amazing responses everyone, will take some time to absorb, assimilate and synthesise them before responding with the quality your responses deserve.

Just for further clarity before I do, a few quick questions:

1. How do you manage your concerns that most of the online material about empaths seems to diverge away from our Faith in Jesus Christ into more New Age areas?
2. If what we experience is a gift from God, what are those other empaths with online websites who have no conscious connections with Jesus experiencing?
3. Do you consciously ask God how best to use your gift daily or let it subconsciously flow by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you with when and where to be?

Blessings and peace.

 

[Semangelof]

1. How do you manage your concerns that most of the online material about empaths seems to diverge away from our Faith in Jesus Christ into more New Age areas?
2. If what we experience is a gift from God, what are those other empaths with online websites who have no conscious connections with Jesus experiencing?
3. Do you consciously ask God how best to use your gift daily or let it subconsciously flow by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you with when and where to be?

Great Questions, but I’m afraid I don’t have great answers because I have the same ones as you. What I do say is a work in progress, it’s the best I have been able to develop regarding those questions which I wonder about myself.

1. As soon they get into the crazy I get out of there. There is more nonsense to weed through than sense, it’s very difficult. The more a person sounds like an “authority” the more crazy stuff they tend to say. The few things I have learned have come from honest stories of people pouring their heart out like here.
2. For me I have had 2 events in my life where this gift could have been given. I also have no control over it. Sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn’t. I suppose the only bit I do have control over is that silent phase. When Fr. Martin suggested it could run in the family it meant that one does not have to be a Christian.

Other authors have hinted at the same concept. They call it psychic when it is outside Christianity. I could never call my gift psychic because it exists beside me. To call oneself psychic means to take ownership of that ability as if you were some wizard. In our case we seem to be at the service of it. The output may be the similar but the machine is different.

There are other subtle differences. The wild rabbit holes that you see online from some of these psychics is one difference. One other difference I think is that in our case these things come with a sense of “knowing”. Psychics tend to ask questions and say things like “I’m getting a feeling”. They don’t say “I know”. We get packets of knowledge, they don’t come with doubt or uncertainty. When they come they come with the feeling of knowing. What we get is plain as day, not a spidey sense.

1. I have prayed while alone that He would show me more, and that I would use His gift effectively. Let it flow, don’t try to make it work. As I understand it we don’t own it, so we can’t push it. We work in service of it.

 

[DevotedChild]

Amazing responses everyone, will take some time to absorb, assimilate and synthesise them before responding with the quality your responses deserve.

Just for further clarity before I do, a few quick questions:

1. How do you manage your concerns that most of the online material about empaths seems to diverge away from our Faith in Jesus Christ into more New Age areas?
2. If what we experience is a gift from God, what are those other empaths with online websites who have no conscious connections with Jesus experiencing?
3. Do you consciously ask God how best to use your gift daily or let it subconsciously flow by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you with when and where to be?

Blessings and peace.

For one I avoid anything new age, bad stuff and a temptation for me. I only talk with others in our faith about it.

I think that it is both a gift and something that be inherited. It runs in my family but I think that in any case that the gift can only be fully realized through baptism. What these people who don’t have a connection to Jesus could be experiencing a blessing from God that was bestowed upon the family a very long time ago. Or they could also be a long time descendant of the Nelliphem, creatures/people who were half human and half angel/demon. But that last idea is a long shot.

For me I just let it flow, so to speak when I am not guarding it. The Lord has been training me in control over the gift, because my is very strong and can be very harmful to me if I dont learn to guard it at times. Partially this is because my empathy ties into my gift of Discerning of spirits, where I must protect myself from the demons that have been chasing me since I was baptized as a baby or atleast for as long as I can remember into my childhood. For some reason I am a threat to them and I have five, not just one, guardian angels protecting and guiding me. From it sounds of it, I am the only one here on the forum that is able to control the gift most of the time and use it at will. But dont feel bad about that, because it is something that the Lord has taught me over time through my experiences.

I may not have been able to give wonderful answers but they are what I have to give. I hope they help in explaining.

God Bless.

 

[LPS]

Amazing responses everyone, will take some time to absorb, assimilate and synthesise them before responding with the quality your responses deserve.

Just for further clarity before I do, a few quick questions:

1. How do you manage your concerns that most of the online material about empaths seems to diverge away from our Faith in Jesus Christ into more New Age areas?
2. If what we experience is a gift from God, what are those other empaths with online websites who have no conscious connections with Jesus experiencing?
3. Do you consciously ask God how best to use your gift daily or let it subconsciously flow by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you with when and where to be?

Blessings and peace.

1. I haven’t read online material at all. Part of it is that I am borderline paranoid about being deceived and led down the wrong path. I used to obsess over it and was very fearful until I realized that God doesn’t want me to be deceived either. I am no longer afraid, but do pray daily that God protect me from being deceived.

That, I think, is where the tools of the Catholic church come in - frequenting the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist, spending time in Adoration, and daily reading scripture.

I would recommend that you plug into those, and stay away from other sources. We are so easily carried away!

1. I don’t know. I suspect they are being used/deceived by the enemy. Even if it seems they are “right” or “doing good,” as long as people are looking/seeking/asking somewhere other than God, the enemy is winning because he holds their attention and God does not.
2. I don’t consciously ask daily about the gift itself. It is simply part of who I am, and I daily pray and ask for guidance; I ask for help in knowing what emotions are mine and which are not; and how I can help someone God has placed before me.

Again, my gift seems to be different from others here. I don’t have any extra knowledge about others; I feel deeply and painfully what they are feeling.

The way I see it, my “job” is to take on the heavy burden of those emotions from them, to lessen the pain for them, and to carry them to the foot of the cross. I feel very keenly anger, despair, desperation, depression, hatred, etc. to the point where it is enormously painful to me; I want to hide. But instead I stay with the person, and my presence always has a calming influence to them. Then, I can go to God in prayer and visualize the act of leaving those destructive feelings at the foot of the cross.

Of course I can’t entirely remove their pain, but I can reduce their burden. I think of St. Therese of Liseaux who prayed for missionaries and she herself would physically suffer their weariness, painful feet, etc. while missionaries reported healings from those pains.

That is my experience As I said earlier, I am also being led into a deeper prayer life and am learning how to lift others up in prayer; that is certainly the best gift I can offer anyone.