Experience with visions or divine intervention?

[Maeris]

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone who reads this has experienced visions while praying or undoubtedly divine intervention in some other way. Do these things happen often? An angel appeared to my cousin and I as a young children while praying and we ran away in shock, and recently (I’m a young adult) I asked God a question while praying and I had a vision, it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, even more strange than the angel. It was nothing bad, it actually was teaching me about why something was wrong, but I don’t want to talk about it in detail unless I know from Him it’s okay, no sure answer so far. I also hear that sometimes the devil will trick you and do these things to win your trust. I’m not a very good person in my mind, I always do wrong things so I know it’s not that I’m anything close to a saint. So what your thoughts and experiences with these things? Does God choose to reveal Himself in these ways to your average person often? Has it happened to you?

 

[Maeris]

And if this is the wrong place to post then what category should this be in? I really need to know other people’s insight an experiences on this topic because I’m too scared to go to anyone I know. The priests know me too so I really don’t want to do that if this is all wrong.

 

[karebear92]

I truly believe I have. I was praying one day and was thinking of what it must have been like to be Mary and watch the crucifixion. All of the sudden, I kind of like dozed off and was picturing it in my head, but it looked similar to the mini series “Jesus of Nazareth,” so I don’t think at that point it was really divine intervention or a vision, maybe it was, but I can’t say it was for sure. Anyway, I began focusing on clouds, particularly the clouds that I pictured came just prior to and immediately following His death . All of the sudden, seemingly out of nowhere, I either heard a voice or these words came into my head: “Focus not on the clouds of his death, but on the clouds that came after.” At the time I couldn’t figure out what it meant, so I began to read the New Testament, particularly the later chapters of the gospels and the beginning of Acts. When I read Acts 1:9 it made sense. I believe this was a message from God telling me to focus on the resurrection and ascension, rather than the crucifixion (this was during Lent). Also, yesterday something bizarre happened. I have a few medical problems that requires me to use medical supplies. Well, my medical supply company made a mistake and I didn’t have enough supplies, which makes my life pretty much miserable (miserable is an exaggeration and it is only for a few days, so I feel blessed seeing as people in third world countries are lucky to get 1/10th of the supplies I get). To make it worse, I was sick, which not only makes me more miserable, but it also makes my lack of supplies worse. I was praying two nights ago to many saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and God ( obviously). Well, I went to bed that night and was doing my best to make due. The next day I went to get some other supplies, and in the usual spot there was enough supplies to get me through the weekend. I have no idea where they came from, but I am almost positive I could not have overlooked them. I essentially destroyed my house searching for some and couldn’t find any, and I am sure I would have looked in that spot, seeing as that is where they always are. Plus I get all of my supplies from the same spot, meaning that I am in there three to five times a day and they are in plain view, so I am almost certain I would have noticed. To make this even more bizarre, I was going to post something very similar to what you posted and was afraid people would think I was crazy. I also should add that as a young child I was very, very sick (I will go further into my medical history if anybody wants, but it is kind of irrelevant). My parents claim that when I was in this condition I claimed to see angels all of the time. When I was three I claimed to have angels (I believe it was four) with me as I was life-flighted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the angels now. This is just my experience. Everybody, please don’t think I am crazy!

 

[svid2]

Never. Not even close. I’m so jealous!

 

[Maeris]

Thank you so much for the replies! And thank you especially karebear92 for sharing. I believe you and I’m glad others have similar experiences. It makes me feel a bit more comfortable knowing someone else is going through the same thing. Thank you!

 

[Bob_Crowley]

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone who reads this has experienced visions while praying or undoubtedly divine intervention in some other way. Do these things happen often? An angel appeared to my cousin and I as a young children while praying and we ran away in shock, and recently (I’m a young adult) I asked God a question while praying and I had a vision, it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, even more strange than the angel. It was nothing bad, it actually was teaching me about why something was wrong, but I don’t want to talk about it in detail unless I know from Him it’s okay, no sure answer so far. I also hear that sometimes the devil will trick you and do these things to win your trust. I’m not a very good person in my mind, I always do wrong things so I know it’s not that I’m anything close to a saint. So what your thoughts and experiences with these things? Does God choose to reveal Himself in these ways to your average person often? Has it happened to you?

I’ve had a number of things happen. I’ve often mentioned my father turning up in my room the night he died, starting with an apology, followed by a discussion and recrimations, and finishing with one almighty scream from him, then he disappeared.

I’ve had very clear “voices” cut right across my thoughts on a couple of occasions eg. once when I was mentally belly aching about a young lady I had a fixation about, and this voice just cut clear across my thoughts and said, “Bob! Is (young lady) SUITED to you??”, with the emphasis as noted. On another occasion, i was complaining about my lack of vocational choices and again a voice just cut right across everything, and siad, “Bob! What’s WRONG with being a writer??”, again with the emphasis as noted.

I had an old pastor who could almost read minds. He was extremely accurate when it came to prophetic predictions. I’ve mentioned some of these too from time to time.

He’s turned up briefly in a couple of talking visions, namely saying -

(1) “Watch out for (certain lady)! Your father’s paying fot it, believe me! You don’t want to join him!.” Then he repeated, “Watch out for (certain lady)” (Nothing’s happened so far I might add, but I think there might be some future problem). This was a reflection of a warning he gave me about the same lady when he was still alive.

(2) “We’re (Protestants) are not in heaven. We’re all in Purgatory. Oh, we’re not suffering any pain - in fact it’s pretty good around here. But we’re not in heaven.” Again this was a reflection of a comment he made when he was still alive - viz. “I sometimes wonder if Protestants get to heaven” (unusual for a Protestant pastor to admit that wouldn’t you say?).

I’ve often had heavy pressures at night, and other demonic effects, “tingles” etc. These are usually demonic. It’s irritating, but I’d be a lot more concerned if I fell into the hands of the devil’s human servants in this life. I’d rather cop some irritating tingles at midnight than be thrown into a tyrant’s torture chamber if you get my drift. Physically evil spirits can only really hurt a person in the next life. In this life God won’t let them go beyond certain limits - He restrains them.

So, yes, I have had certain experiences. My visions and experiences however are rather prosaic - I don’t get caught up to the third heaven as Paul did, or levitate like Saint Theresa or bilocate like Padre Pio, or get thrown around the room by demonic forces as he did.

I’m not good enough for that. Those sorts of things are reserved for the real saints.

 

[Maeris]

Thank you for your reply! I’m glad God plays an active role in your life and I’ll pray that you continue to trust Him completely through your ups and downs based on what He has already revealed to you. You have more reason to have faith than many that I know of. Be thankful and stay strong in faith! I hope your night spooks go away too! God bless!

 

[Bohm_Bawerk]

Never. Not even close. I’m so jealous!

I’ve read a lot of experiences of those who have had authentic spiritual experiences like visions. From what I’ve gathered, those who tend to experience them more are often also more open to the devil’s attacks. If not that, then they often have a heavy cross to bear of some sort, such as physical or mental disability.

I think God allows this so as to be “fair”. I’ve never had a vision, but I’ve also never had my bed rocked by the Devil. If I wanted to have a vision, I would also have to accept that the Devil would taunt me in some way. In other words, “you can’t have your cake and it eat it too”.

When I see you see it like this, you are less likely to be envious of the gifts these people have.

 

[puzzleannie]

and recently (I’m a young adult) I asked God a question while praying and I had a vision, it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, even more strange than the angel. ?

these are things to take to your priest or spiritual director for discernment
in general they can be disregarded, are nothing to seek out or encourage but if they are from God, simply accepted as gifts. always discern such an event with the help of a priest if it seems to be giving instruction or teaching.

 

[fhansen]

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone who reads this has experienced visions while praying or undoubtedly divine intervention in some other way. Do these things happen often? An angel appeared to my cousin and I as a young children while praying and we ran away in shock, and recently (I’m a young adult) I asked God a question while praying and I had a vision, it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, even more strange than the angel. It was nothing bad, it actually was teaching me about why something was wrong, but I don’t want to talk about it in detail unless I know from Him it’s okay, no sure answer so far. I also hear that sometimes the devil will trick you and do these things to win your trust. I’m not a very good person in my mind, I always do wrong things so I know it’s not that I’m anything close to a saint. So what your thoughts and experiences with these things? Does God choose to reveal Himself in these ways to your average person often? Has it happened to you?

None of us are perfect but God’s purpose is to lead us all to sainthood so, yes, He’ll do such things as He deems it important. OTOH, we must always use discernment, of course.

 

[midori]

Only had one big thing happen once to me. Smaller things, many times. Often? No.

I generally keep things to myself— I’ve only talked about stuff with close people who had their own stories to tell, and wanted to let them know I didn’t think they were crazy or alone.

Sister? Yes. Mom? Yes. Multiple great-grandmas? Yes. All of them had varying kinds of Stuff Happen.

If you need to talk to a priest about it, be careful that you choose someone who’s got the background, experience, and training to handle that kind of discussion. I know one person who tried talking to a priest for help with guidance and discernment, and pretty much got brushed off as having an overactive imagination or whatever. It damaged them for years. Eventually, they found a priest who was better-trained to deal with spiritual direction and that sort of thing, but a lot of suffering and harm had taken place in the meantime.

Good luck!

 

[Maeris]

@Midori: Thanks for the reply and it’s nice to hear you comfort others in that way. I think it would be so much easier if people were more open about it. I don’t see anything wrong with hoping for the best, but being quite pleased with the usual. If God blesses us with responses or gifts I don’t think it should be disregarded, I think it should change you forever and cause you to appreciate His love for you even more so! I believe people who are blessed by God with proof of His existence are also held at higher standards. For example, if one person who never experienced proof chose to disobey a commandment, then that would be one thing, but a for a person who is sure God exists to choose to betray Him, then it would be more severe a sin and God would be more dissappointed. So while it’s an amazing blessing it comes with extra responsibility. And I suppose God has blessed me in many other ways, He’s healed three of my loved ones temporarily of terminal illnesses, He gave me the gift of seeing into the future as a child (I only used it for good, like helping people find lost pets or warning of someone’s upcoming death), and He also allowed me to communicate with the deceased. I have no doubt that was from God because I was able to help many people and it gave me meaning in life. I no longer have that ability at all, but I am forever grateful for all of the blessings He has given me, and I’m sure anyone who knows what it’s like feels exactly the same way.

 

[thistle]

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone who reads this has experienced visions while praying or undoubtedly divine intervention in some other way. Do these things happen often? An angel appeared to my cousin and I as a young children while praying and we ran away in shock, and recently (I’m a young adult) I asked God a question while praying and I had a vision, it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, even more strange than the angel. It was nothing bad, it actually was teaching me about why something was wrong, but I don’t want to talk about it in detail unless I know from Him it’s okay, no sure answer so far. I also hear that sometimes the devil will trick you and do these things to win your trust. I’m not a very good person in my mind, I always do wrong things so I know it’s not that I’m anything close to a saint. So what your thoughts and experiences with these things? Does God choose to reveal Himself in these ways to your average person often? Has it happened to you?

The person to talk to is your priest.

 

[Maeris]

Thanks. Got that reply a few times, but thanks anyway. I’m not one for peer pressure so the answer’s pushing me away a bit lol, but If God tells me to then I will.

 

[WoundedIcon]

Well… I was thinking about how much I wanted a girlfriend once and a bunch of prophetic interior locutions happened (they came true after several years had passed) and an inaudible voice (almost like another person’s thoughts) said to me “There will be one”, and one day while I was freaking out about whether I was going to make it to Heaven or fall away and wind up in Hell a cool breeze hit me and I saw myself sitting dressed as a Franciscan friar in on a bench in a beautiful place awaiting my judgment. There were a bunch of symbols on me too, like a Tau cross with eyes for stigmata on its hands, a flaming tongue, and a dove on the robe where my heart would be with olive colored vines stretching out over my torso. That was when I was still Protestant. Naturally, I chose St. Francis as my patron when I converted.

 

[ringil]

If I did I would make an appointment with a psychiatrist. Rule that out first right?

 

[Maeris]

If I did I would make an appointment with a psychiatrist. Rule that out first right?

I think that’s terrible advice for anyone. Never immediately jump to a psychiatrist. If you really wish to seek help and don’t have proof that your experiences are based in reality then see a psychologist, not psychiatrist who’s paid to give you pills. I’m studying to be a pharmacist right now, I don’t agree with giving everyone pills, of course some people need them, but it’s a fad right now! That’s why I’m in pharmacy school! I’m taking advantage of all the silly people seeking help from pills instead of confronting their problems or taking care of their body properly. So don’t give the old argument that I’m overlooking the people who need medication, I’m very aware that it helps people, but is overused by many others. I don’t care though, if I’m paid to do it then I’ll do it, it’s their decision to see a psychiatrist or medical doctor and believe them, so I’m just doing what those naive people want me to do.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone who reads this has experienced visions while praying or undoubtedly divine intervention in some other way. Do these things happen often? An angel appeared to my cousin and I as a young children while praying and we ran away in shock, and recently (I’m a young adult) I asked God a question while praying and I had a vision, it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, even more strange than the angel. It was nothing bad, it actually was teaching me about why something was wrong, but I don’t want to talk about it in detail unless I know from Him it’s okay, no sure answer so far. I also hear that sometimes the devil will trick you and do these things to win your trust. I’m not a very good person in my mind, I always do wrong things so I know it’s not that I’m anything close to a saint. So what your thoughts and experiences with these things? Does God choose to reveal Himself in these ways to your average person often? Has it happened to you?

Yes I have had a vision. VERY quick and vibrant. It was me as a priest saying my Father’s Funeral Mass. Got my attention as I didn’t appreciate him as much as God wants me too. REAL long story but Reader’s digest version was that our family was out for our own selves. I changed that instant. Another thing that I experienced was at the seminary where I HOPEFULLY will be going, during consecration I felt the bread turn into Jesus and wow that was totally undescribable only that Jesus allowed me such Intimacy that words can’t describe. It was the most intense love I ever felt that I almost fell to my knees. I have had things happen to me I can’t explain. I think it happens more than we realize. I think the more you seek him and try to please him and try to not commit mortal sin the more he will be intimate with us. Total intimacy with Christ is something that I want!!! Visions happen so fast and it is only seconds if that long. For me and only had one. It did it’s job let’s just say that. Visions are rare gifts but work!!! and most of the time I would think would change a heart so fast. Scoob.

 

[Nasir_Anashim]

So, it either came from God, from the Devil, or from yourself. If it’s a message that brings you closer to God, it’s probably not from the Devil, so it’s either from God or your own imagination.
It’s difficult to interpret which because human nature possesses a desire for a supernatural experience with God. Yet, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not real. Just because you *want *to believe something doesn’t mean it’s *not *true. It just means that you have to keep a check on your personal desires and beliefs.
Luckily, a gift we can always be sure of is grace, God’s life within us. He constantly tells us everything we need to know, but our own passions, desires, and fears constantly drown out His voice. Because of free will, we choose not to hear Him.
To find the truth behind these experiences, you need to find God within you because God is Truth. That means you need to pray for the answer, making a conscious effort to let go of all of your desires, including your desire for a supernatural experience. Remember, God will always give you what you need when you need it (including Knowledge, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit), so desires are pointless and will only distract you from His voice.

I had an imaginary friend when I was little who told me he was my guardian angel who was tasked with guiding and protecting me. Anytime I was scared or confused, he would reassure me of God’s love and talk me through the problem.
I still don’t know whether he was real or not. He might have been just a projection of my thought process when I was too young to make sense of them.
But I think this ignorance is just God’s way of telling me that I don’t *need *to know, that it doesn’t matter whether he was real or not. What matters is that God was able to help me, through an angel or through a figment of my imagination. (Or one in the same.)

 

[fhansen]

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone who reads this has experienced visions while praying or undoubtedly divine intervention in some other way. Do these things happen often? An angel appeared to my cousin and I as a young children while praying and we ran away in shock, and recently (I’m a young adult) I asked God a question while praying and I had a vision, it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, even more strange than the angel. It was nothing bad, it actually was teaching me about why something was wrong, but I don’t want to talk about it in detail unless I know from Him it’s okay, no sure answer so far. I also hear that sometimes the devil will trick you and do these things to win your trust. I’m not a very good person in my mind, I always do wrong things so I know it’s not that I’m anything close to a saint. So what your thoughts and experiences with these things? Does God choose to reveal Himself in these ways to your average person often? Has it happened to you?

Yes. They’re profound and very rare, I believe, totally out of ones control and obviously-to the receiver-within the control of another being. By a vision I was once granted insight into the molestation of a young girl which led to the exposure of the perpetrator and a whole bunch of healing- more than ten years after the fact. God was surrounding me during a several- month- long period while I dealt with the various players involved- her family, the other party and his spouse-offering His forgiveness as the truth finally came to light for this young woman. Other experiences, such as locutions, were part of a series of such experiences I was granted over about a one week period, all related, directly or indirectly, to this same matter. I felt sort of like a pawn, but in a good way.