Feeling Inadequate

  • Thread starter Thread starter Austere
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Austere

Guest
As a Catholic, I feel that I am not good enough. I don’t know why I’ve been feeling this way but it just seems to persist with me, like it’s always lingering in the back of mind. I come from a religious family, on my father’s side anyway. My grandaunt is a nun while my granduncle was a priest in Argentina. My grandfather was a very religious men, attended Mass seven times a week and played a crucial role in the parish until his passing. So when I compare myself to them, knowing what I think and how I act, I just feel completely inadequate. Yet, it is not only when I find myself compared to my relatives but in comparison to the Saints and those even on this sight, do I find myself seriously lacking. When I read about the piety, sanctity and faith upon which these people lived their lives, I find myself slightly annoyed, as I wish I could emulate them if not for the fact that I feel incapable. I love the Church and I’d do thing anything for Her, but sometimes it just appears that I stumble far to much despite how many times I may pick myself up.

Please pray for me that I will remove myself from these feelings and that I strive to be a Catholic worthy of Christ.

God bless my friends.
 
Austere said:
As a Catholic, I feel that I am not good enough. I don’t know why I’ve been feeling this way but it just seems to persist with me, like it’s always lingering in the back of mind. I come from a religious family, on my father’s side anyway. My grandaunt is a nun while my granduncle was a priest in Argentina. My grandfather was a very religious men, attended Mass seven times a week and played a crucial role in the parish until his passing. So when I compare myself to them, knowing what I think and how I act, I just feel completely inadequate. Yet, it is not only when I find myself compared to my relatives but in comparison to the Saints and those even on this sight, do I find myself seriously lacking. When I read about the piety, sanctity and faith upon which these people lived their lives, I find myself slightly annoyed, as I wish I could emulate them if not for the fact that I feel incapable. I love the Church and I’d do thing anything for Her, but sometimes it just appears that I stumble far to much despite how many times I may pick myself up.

Please pray for me that I will remove myself from these feelings and that I strive to be a Catholic worthy of Christ.

God bless my friends.
Click to expand...
Buddy. You feel this way because you’re comparing yourself to the wrong people. Compare yourself to me and you’ll feel a lot better.

No one’s perfect. And sometimes the guys who shine the most are just the best at keeping secrets. So do your best. Try hard. And I mean hard. Then you can’t be taken by surprise so much. Then you won’t be sitting here asking these kinds of things and beating yourself up like this.
 
Trident_H said:
Buddy. You feel this way because you’re comparing yourself to the wrong people. Compare yourself to me and you’ll feel a lot better.

No one’s perfect. And sometimes the guys who shine the most are just the best at keeping secrets. So do your best. Try hard. And I mean hard. Then you can’t be taken by surprise so much. Then you won’t be sitting here asking these kinds of things and beating yourself up like this.
Click to expand...
You’re probably right my friend, a wound is only bound to get worse if you pick at it. 😃
 
Austere said:
As a Catholic, I feel that I am not good enough. I don’t know why I’ve been feeling this way but it just seems to persist with me, like it’s always lingering in the back of mind. I come from a religious family, on my father’s side anyway. My grandaunt is a nun while my granduncle was a priest in Argentina. My grandfather was a very religious men, attended Mass seven times a week and played a crucial role in the parish until his passing. So when I compare myself to them, knowing what I think and how I act, I just feel completely inadequate. Yet, it is not only when I find myself compared to my relatives but in comparison to the Saints and those even on this sight, do I find myself seriously lacking. When I read about the piety, sanctity and faith upon which these people lived their lives, I find myself slightly annoyed, as I wish I could emulate them if not for the fact that I feel incapable. I love the Church and I’d do thing anything for Her, but sometimes it just appears that I stumble far to much despite how many times I may pick myself up.

Please pray for me that I will remove myself from these feelings and that I strive to be a Catholic worthy of Christ.

God bless my friends.
Click to expand...
I agree with the other poster. Look at the saints as inspiration - people you can learn from.

I would also read Saint Faustina’s diary. In her visions, Jesus says he has an ocean of mercy much greater than any sin - though we still need to try to repent and do our best. We just pick ourselves up again over and over.

I would also recommend periodic fasting (from food).

There are many good books on overcoming sin or increasing spirituality:
  • The Sinner’s Guide by Louis of Grenada
  • The Seven Deadly Sins by Kevin Vost
  • The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Saint Louis De Montfort
  • The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kepmis
  • Victory over Vice by Archbishop Fulton Sheen
  • How to Fast Successfully by Derek Prince (a non-Catholic)
 
Not everyone is called to religious life. If that’s not your vocation, it’s not your vocation.

In comparing ourselves to others, there will always be those who are better or worse. Compete only with yourself to do the best you can, and then leave it at that.

Praying.
 
Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance, direction, strdngth, fortitude & wisdom in your time of need.
 
Perhaps religious life is not your vocation.

I know it is hard, but try not to compare yourself to your religious relatives.

What is YOUR relationship like with the Lord? (You don’t have to answer here, asking so you can think more about it.)

I have heard that The Introduction to Devout Life by St. Frances de Sales is supposed to be very good. I have it on my Kindle but haven’t read it yet.
 
Austere said:
As a Catholic, I feel that I am not good enough. I don’t know why I’ve been feeling this way but it just seems to persist with me, like it’s always lingering in the back of mind. I come from a religious family, on my father’s side anyway. My grandaunt is a nun while my granduncle was a priest in Argentina. My grandfather was a very religious men, attended Mass seven times a week and played a crucial role in the parish until his passing. So when I compare myself to them, knowing what I think and how I act, I just feel completely inadequate. Yet, it is not only when I find myself compared to my relatives but in comparison to the Saints and those even on this sight, do I find myself seriously lacking. When I read about the piety, sanctity and faith upon which these people lived their lives, I find myself slightly annoyed, as I wish I could emulate them if not for the fact that I feel incapable. I love the Church and I’d do thing anything for Her, but sometimes it just appears that I stumble far to much despite how many times I may pick myself up.

Please pray for me that I will remove myself from these feelings and that I strive to be a Catholic worthy of Christ.

God bless my friends.
Click to expand...
It might help if you studied the “Little Way” of St. Therese of Lisieux. I have read her autobiography many times and am beginning to understand what she meant by her "Little Way:. She wrote:

“You know, Mother, I have always wanted to be a saint. Alas! there is between them and me the same difference that exists between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and the obscure grain of sand trampled underfoot by passer-by. Instead of becoming discouraged, I said to myself: God cannot inspire unrealizable desire. I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to holiness. It is impossible for me to grow up, and so, I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections.”

She was a little soul.

He loves you where you are. Don’t compare yourselves to others. They would not want you to do that.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top