Finding it hard to sacrifice…

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Annunciata

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For those who are finding it hard to sacrifice during this holy season of Lent please post here…
 
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jrabs:
I am doing well on some and horribly on others.
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I’m failing miserably…I fear:o
 
Its not whether you win or lose; just how you play the game. This may not work with say, playing in the Super Bowl, but it works in just about every other aspect of life.

Those who persevere shall reap a great reward.
 
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Annunciata:
I’m failing miserably…I fear:o
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But ya know what? Don’t despair. This is like a spiritual diet. You can fail one day and start right up the next. No need to feel really bad.
If you feel bad, I think that is the devil riding on your shoulder mocking you and trying to convince you of your failure.

But YOU are not a failure. You do have the ability to pick things up and start a new. You dropped your cross, now simply pick it back up. You can do it!!!

Go Annie, Go Annie - you can do it, you got it!
 
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jrabs:
But ya know what? Don’t despair. This is like a spiritual diet. You can fail one day and start right up the next. No need to feel really bad.
If you feel bad, I think that is the devil riding on your shoulder mocking you and trying to convince you of your failure.

But YOU are not a failure. You do have the ability to pick things up and start a new. You dropped your cross, now simply pick it back up. You can do it!!!

Go Annie, Go Annie - you can do it, you got it!
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Thanks Jen…
It seems like most of the things I intended to do…I’m not doing…😦 Then again, there are others that sort of came my way and I’m going w/ those…Anyone else experiencing this???:confused:
 
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Annunciata:
Thanks Jen…
It seems like most of the things I intended to do…I’m not doing…😦 Then again, there are others that sort of came my way and I’m going w/ those…Anyone else experiencing this???:confused:
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Maybe the Holy Spirit brought you the new ones. Maybe The Holy Spirit decided He liked His ideas a tad bit more than yours. It worked because you are doing those new ones. Just possibly all is working according to His will.
 
I am doing some fasting and it is killing me…not really killing but makeing me really hungry…and I fell asleep during my rosary last night an woke up with rosary rapped around my shoulder (I don’t know how it got there). Other than that plugging along…
 
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jrabs:
Maybe the Holy Spirit brought you the new ones. Maybe The Holy Spirit decided He liked His ideas a tad bit more than yours. It worked because you are doing those new ones. Just possibly all is working according to His will.
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Yes…I try to do things according to His will…I’m always getting in my own way though…:rolleyes:
 
Tyler Smedley:
…plugging along…
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This is what we have to remember…
Mother Teresa said, “We are called to be faithful not successful”…
so plugging along is good. The key is to try…
 
i gave up cokes and i HATE HATE HATE fish so yea im havin a hard time, also having a hard time gettin up for mass EVERY sunday, doin better than before. and Hubby and i kinda fell off of praying together and reading the bible or church literature together, but last night we got back on that. we’re gonna pray a rosary together tonight for the Pope and for Terri Schiavo.
 
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TarAshly:
i gave up cokes and i HATE HATE HATE fish so yea im havin a hard time, also having a hard time gettin up for mass EVERY sunday, doin better than before. and Hubby and i kinda fell off of praying together and reading the bible or church literature together, but last night we got back on that. we’re gonna pray a rosary together tonight for the Pope and for Terri Schiavo.
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Hi Tar,
I just committed myself to a new Leten sacrifice to pray an extra Rosary for Terri…already say one for the Pope each day.
 
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Annunciata:
Thanks Jen…
It seems like most of the things I intended to do…I’m not doing…😦 Then again, there are others that sort of came my way and I’m going w/ those…Anyone else experiencing this???:confused:
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Well, I’m not doing too well at all, but I definitely think you are better to go with the things that “sort of came your way”, and for myself, I like to wait and see what God will send me as Lenten penances, rather than draw up a big list. His “ideas” are always better than mine, not that I take Him up on them always!

I think there’s a danger in making big impressive plans, like fasting on bread and water three times a week, because chances are you will not be able to keep up your strength for your daily work and will fall over flat before a couple of weeks are up, and then you feel a failure.
I question the desirability of telling everyone all the things one is going to do, anyway, as some have. I’m sure they are genuinely generous souls, and I have been both impressed and humbled, mightily, but there’s a wee bit of danger of spiritual pride lurking in the background, possibly??
I reckon it’s better for us to fail in most of what we intended to do for Lent, than be able to pat ourselves on the back and boast a 100% success rate.
 
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ATeNumquam:
Well, I’m not doing too well at all, but I definitely think you are better to go with the things that “sort of came your way”, and for myself, I like to wait and see what God will send me as Lenten penances, rather than draw up a big list. His “ideas” are always better than mine, not that I take Him up on them always!

I think there’s a danger in making big impressive plans, like fasting on bread and water three times a week, because chances are you will not be able to keep up your strength for your daily work and will fall over flat before a couple of weeks are up, and then you feel a failure.
I question the desirability of telling everyone all the things one is going to do, anyway, as some have. I’m sure they are genuinely generous souls, and I have been both impressed and humbled, mightily, but there’s a wee bit of danger of spiritual pride lurking in the background, possibly??
I reckon it’s better for us to fail in most of what we intended to do for Lent, than be able to pat ourselves on the back and boast a 100% success rate.
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Hi ATeNumQuam,
I started this thread to maybe help those who are new at this to show that some of us who aren’t so new struggle as well… Thanks for sharing…🙂
For myself…Spiritual Pride could and has enterred my spiritual life often and have to always keep it in check… However, as you mentioned there are those who are “generous souls” who are just shaing what they hope to do for Lent… Since this is a site for learning and sharing the Faith I think it’s a good thing that some are sharing so that others, especially those new to the Faith or those who were never properly catechised can learn.
God Bless,
Annunciata:)
 
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Annunciata:
Thanks Jen…
It seems like most of the things I intended to do…I’m not doing…😦 Then again, there are others that sort of came my way and I’m going w/ those…Anyone else experiencing this???:confused:
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Precisely my problem. I’m doing well in some areas and not in others. Sheesh! But there is still almost a month to go so I have time to get back on track.

Lisa N
 
The CAF being down was sooo hard:banghead: …I was almost beside myself!! What a test! :eek:
 
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ATeNumquam:
it’s better for us to fail in most of what we intended to do for Lent, than be able to pat ourselves on the back and boast a 100% success rate.
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I was told this very early on in my ‘reversion’ when I agonized over failing and ‘doing things wrong’. Yes, there are those who boast of their perfect Lenten sacrifices, but I believe most are pure hearted.
 
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Annunciata:
Hi ATeNumQuam,
I started this thread to maybe help those who are new at this to show that some of us who aren’t so new struggle as well… Thanks for sharing…🙂
For myself…Spiritual Pride could and has enterred my spiritual life often and have to always keep it in check… However, as you mentioned there are those who are “generous souls” who are just shaing what they hope to do for Lent… Since this is a site for learning and sharing the Faith I think it’s a good thing that some are sharing so that others, especially those new to the Faith or those who were never properly catechised can learn.
God Bless,
Annunciata:)
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I wanted to come back and correct the tone of my post, but that was when the forums went down.
I didn’t want to imply that I was being critical of those who have shared what they are doing for Lent, on the whole.
99% of the time I have found it really edifying, and I’m glad it puts me to shame. (Heck, fourth week of Lent and I have really done very little)
Actually I can think of only one example of someone on another thread whose list of proposed, severe penances made me think he was boasting a little!
To be honest, I’m so lacking in imagination that it helps me to hear what others have thought up, whether they succeed in keeping them or not!
God bless all those who are making more effort than I am, and forgive me if I sounded a bit harsh or cynical!
 
Just Deb:
. Yes, there are those who boast of their perfect Lenten sacrifices, but I believe most are pure hearted.
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I absolutely agree. I think the vast majority who have shared their intentions are showing their enthusiasm for their faith and their true love for God, and they inspire me!:blessyou:
 
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ATeNumquam:
I wanted to come back and correct the tone of my post, …God bless all those who are making more effort than I am, and forgive me if I sounded a bit harsh or cynical!
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Thanks for that, ATN. Sometimes we are the cynics and sometimes we are the “prickely pears”:o eehum… ( I’m guilty of both)
You have a beautiful heart…God bless,
Annunciata:)
 
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