Feelin overly anxious and trying to find peace

[hopeforfaith]

I had confession two weeks ago but I am starting to feel more pressured than relaxed. I start to worry about whether I let myself being tempted, or was it my fault that these temptations appeared though I have been trying to avoid them as much as I could to not think sinful thoughts. But this became like a self-fulfilling prophecy: everytime I said to myself not to think about this and that that I was thinking thinking about them. But everytime they arise, I dismissed them. But I would start worrying whether I did succumb to them, which again made me thinking thinking about them and I start he entire process again. Somehow I still feel sinful as if I am finding faults with myself. Since I made a promise to God not to think about these thoughts of a temptation nature. I felt I have somehow failed to do that. But the entire time I was thinking how not to do that. And ion some occasions where I wasn’t honking not to think about then and they arised, I distracted myself once it appeared. But I still feel so insecure and it feels like I cant do anything right.

I read somewhere that temptations henselves aren’t sinful unless “we bring it upon ourselves due to carelessness and overconfidence” how can I qualify that I wasn’t doing it out of carelessness?

So I didn’t receive the Euhaurist today because I think I have a mortal sin(though I am not totally sure if it was) that I forgot to confess, and I am very confused about the temptations thing. I couldn’t remember clearly if recieving the Euhaurist was okay if I had something that I forgot to confess, and I thought if there’s doubt, I shouldn’t receive it.

One more question, I made that promise a long time ago and didn’t know we shouldn’t make them hastily. If temptations are almost inadvoidable in a sense that you can only dismiss them once they appear, then can I undo that promise I made when I was 14?

 

[JNdoum]

You seem to be incredibly anxious by nature. I implore you not to worry - I once had similar problems. There is no sin in making a promise, I promise you. Temptation is no sin either. You don’t need to take back the promise you made, unless it’s something horrible like promising to cover up a murder, in which case you should proabably tell the secret. My own process to more calm and peace was a lengthy one, and it all banked on God’s love. One thing that helps me is crossing myself whenever I am tempted, and to make active use of the holy water font in my home. I just feel more confident in avoiding sin when I have these physical reminders about me. Constant prayer is invaluable. I am eternally imploring the Lord to help me with my sin and for the Virgin Mary to intercede on my behalf. Dedicate yourself to daily prayers or the rosary. Another great help is to seek support from your family. I know that when your sins seem so horrible that it may seem impossible to ever tell anyone about them, but your family and friends love and care for you, and will be a font of love and help for you throughout your trials. Pray often and ask for others to pray for you - I promise that I shall. Focus on God’s love and forgiveness. Think of the how he loves you, and his love is greater than all sin. Remember that Jesus died for all sins, including yours. And please, please, get some rest. Sleeplessness cannot help your anxiety. Find article of faith which you feel could help you, such as the brown scapular, or a medal. If you feel you need it, and I sense you may, please seek counseling. May the Lord be with you always. I also implore you to continually partake of the Eucharist. It is a source of great help and healing to all Christians.

 

[christofirst]

I’ve heard it said that the examined life is the only life worth living, but sometimes I think we can overdo it!

I also tend to be a worrier by nature, second guessing my every action and motive.

At some point, I find I just have to trust in God’s infinite mercy! I know He has not made me to live a life of confusion and anxiety. Do what you can to follow the teachings of the Church as best as you can, and then place your life, everything, in God’s loving care!

May God grant you peace.

 

[hopeforfaith]

Here’s a little update: I’ve been feeling better after realizing that if I worry about temptations, I actually will be much more sensitive to them and so I will tend to see everything that I shouldn’t be thinking of and then warning myself about them. This really creates unnecessary worry. So what I’m doing is to change my mindset not thinking “I won’t think about…” to “I want to have a pure, peaceful mind” which really helps.

Still, if there are temptations that made me feel sexually aroused for just a tiny period of time before I distract myself, is that a mortal sin? But I believe that as long as my intention was not to deliberately break a promise to God, then he’ll understand and appreciate my fight against it?

Also, I want to know if I have any forgotten moral sins during confession, I can still receive the Eucharist right?

 

[sweetpetunia]

Here’s a little update: I’ve been feeling better after realizing that if I worry about temptations, I actually will be much more sensitive to them and so I will tend to see everything that I shouldn’t be thinking of and then warning myself about them. This really creates unnecessary worry. So what I’m doing is to change my mindset not thinking “I won’t think about…” to “I want to have a pure, peaceful mind” which really helps.

Still, if there are temptations that made me feel sexually aroused for just a tiny period of time before I distract myself, is that a mortal sin? But I believe that as long as my intention was not to deliberately break a promise to God, then he’ll understand and appreciate my fight against it?

Also, I want to know if I have any forgotten moral sins during confession, I can still receive the Eucharist right?

Yes, if you have forgotten (not deliberately concealed) mortal sins during confession, than they are forgiven and you may receive the Eucharist. However, if you remember them at your next confession, you are supposed to mention them then. But remember this is supposed to be a sacrament of peace and forgiveness, not stress and anxiety Anxiety as a medical condition can manifest itself as religious scrupulosity, in which case medical treatment by a qualified professional is necessary. Remember that Christ loves you and He desires that you be saved Also, be gentle with yourself, and seek out the counsel of a wise spiritual director.

 

[hopeforfaith]

Here’s another update: I think I have OCD in the scrupulous form. Well, I do know that I do sound scrupulous asking this, (and actually I’m starting to worry about asking this) but I want to ask is taking advice from something on a Jewish Website on scrupulousity okay?It’s pretty general, like psychology sites. Also, there’s an online group for people dealing with scrupulosity, but it’s ran by Lutherans, so maybe their advice won’t be suitable for Catholics?

I’ve also read that scrupulosity is a sin, but I’ve also read that OCD isn’t something that happens deliberately.

 

[JNdoum]

If you think the Jewish one would be beneficial, I don’t think there’d be anything wrong with reading it, and getting help from it, so long as you hold to your faith. However, as a Catholic, I find that Catholic sites are more useful to me personally for any issues I have.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

There are scrupulous Jews??

I thought we Catholics had the lock on that.