Feelings of Despair?

[KyrieVarLee]

I struggle almost constantly with the fear of hell. So many saints have said that so few people make it to heaven and that the vast majority of those who die perish in hell. They say only one impure thought can send you there. I frequently go to confession and I try to make it to mass more than my weekly obligation and I often pray the rosary. I hold on to hope of salvation. But I feel currently that my fear of God and his judgement outweighs my love for him. I pray constantly for an increase in love, but that fear and temptation to despair remains. Any advice??

 

[goout]

I struggle almost constantly with the fear of hell. So many saints have said that so few people make it to heaven and that the vast majority of those who die perish in hell. They say only one impure thought can send you there. I frequently go to confession and I try to make it to mass more than my weekly obligation and I often pray the rosary. I hold on to hope of salvation. But I feel currently that my fear of God and his judgement outweighs my love for him. I pray constantly for an increase in love, but that fear and temptation to despair remains. Any advice??

The Church does not proclaim how many people are in hell or how few will be saved. So you are working from a false assumption.
The “narrow way” is an invitation to walk the way of discipline and detachment rather than that of self indulgence. The narrow way leads to freedom. You have to be free to love. Anxiety and fear cripple that freedom. The Gospel is literally “good news”, the news of God’s love for you in Christ.

 

[KyrieVarLee]

The Church does not proclaim how many people are in hell or how few will be saved. So you are working from a false assumption

Many saints that have had verifiable spiritual experiences have said that the number of souls that descend to hell are numerous and those who are saved are few.

 

[goout]

goout:

The Church does not proclaim how many people are in hell or how few will be saved. So you are working from a false assumption

Many saints that have had verifiable spiritual experiences have said that the number of souls that descend to hell are numerous and those who are saved are few.

And those revelations are not dogmatic. We can use those revelations as guides. If they cause you anxiety you should reconsider the deeper meaning of them.

Anxiety of this type is not of God.

 

[DisorientingSneeze]

I have gone through periods like that. Pretty much my entire childhood/adolescence felt like that.

Things that might help:
Pray an Act of Hope.
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Read the Gospel as often as possible to dwell on the personhood and love of Jesus