Feeling Anxious in Reconciliation

[TCamp0]

I had a good confession with a priest and then all of a sudden I started feeling anxious in the confessional and asked the priest to absolve me and he prayed over me. I said my penance prayers afterward in the church and he sat with me because I was still feeling anxious in the church. This happened almost a year ago and I still haven’t stopped feeling anxious since. Did God not forgive me? Why do I feel this way? Any insight? Anyone feel like this before? I love reconciliation and Jesus and I have no clue why this happened.

 

[ZelkonRodz]

Greetings in Christ,

It is normal to feel anxious and nervous when going to confession. Don’t let your feeling hold you back!

From my own experience, I have realised that I tend to feel very anxious because I am ashamed of my sins. It can be difficult to admit to someone (for example a priest) the sins we have committed, especially if you think the sins are “taboo”.

This is how I managed to overcome anxiety when going to confession:
I highly suggest going as regularly as you can so that over time you’ll get used to the feeling you might get. Additionally, if you find a priest you like, try going to him each time you receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, as you will be in a similar environment with the same person each time you go (that way you feel less anxious).

The number one thing to keep in mind is that in the Sacrament of Reconciliation God judges your heart, not your words. If you’re truly contrite of heart, God will forgive your sins even if you fail to mention them (so long as you don’t purposely hold back any sins). It is best to confess mortal sins first and if you find that you forgot to mention something, you are still forgiven. However you should confess what you forgot to mention the next time you receive the sacrament. Hope this helps! I’ll keep you in my prayers that your next confession goes well.

God Bless

 

[TCamp0]

I feel I started getting nervous because my contrition of heart wasn’t as pure or sorrowful as it was in a previous confession, but I definitely WAS sorry at the time. I know that for sure. I hope what I am saying makes sense and I appreciate your response! God bless you and thank you for your advice and prayers it helps!

 

[Tis_Bearself]

It’s simply a nervous response/ reflex. I have had it off and on for years. I also occasionally have anxiety outside the confessional. In my case it can be triggered by a number of things including lack of sleep, lack of food especially protein, stress at work or in my personal life, poor air circulation, etc.

If you have been having anxiety for a year, I would suggest you see a doctor and/or a mental health professional and get their recommendations.

If you are only having anxiety attacks when you go to confession, I would recommend that you simply go to confession frequently (like once a month) and get so used to going that it is no longer a big deal. Take a deep breath, remind yourself that Jesus loves you, and then do something nice to reward yourself afterwards.

Anxiety does not mean you don’t love Jesus. It’s a physical or mental health condition.

 

[TCamp0]

Thank you for your reply! I feel a lot better being a part of this community and sharing/asking questions I typically have trouble expressing. Merry Christmas!