Frustrated and Feeling not good

[pwlj_christ87]

hello all,

well in the past month or two I have made significant strides with my relationship with God, never have I felt so close to him and had such an understanding of catholicism, really changing my mind and views on things. I remember leaving mass with such victory and peace and understanding the point of the cruficxi and Jesus.

Well I have struggled in my sins and after going to confession yesterday, I dont feel any different. I feel frustrated that I keep falling into the same sin, and I hope I havent hurt my relationship with God.

My question is, is this state im in, being frustrated and sort of angry at myself, a part of gods plan? Is it o for me to feel this way? or is it dangerous? I havent gaven up, i went to mass today

please help

 

[erine]

Ask Him to bring greater good out of it always

 

[ParvaDei]

hello all,

well in the past month or two I have made significant strides with my relationship with God, never have I felt so close to him and had such an understanding of catholicism, really changing my mind and views on things. I remember leaving mass with such victory and peace and understanding the point of the cruficxi and Jesus.

Well I have struggled in my sins and after going to confession yesterday, I dont feel any different. I feel frustrated that I keep falling into the same sin, and I hope I havent hurt my relationship with God.

My question is, is this state im in, being frustrated and sort of angry at myself, a part of gods plan? Is it o for me to feel this way? or is it dangerous? I havent gaven up, i went to mass today

please help

I actually experienced this before when I was struggling with a grave sin when I was younger, and I went through what you were going through: the highs and closeness to God that comes from internal conversion, and the lows that come when you can’t seemingly feel the “presence” of God anymore because you have sinned against Him.

But while I did do a huge-180 when it came towards my worldview, I made the mistake of assuming that because of this turnaround, I would automatically stop my bad habits. Now that I look back on it, I find that it is false: in the words of my former spiritual director (who is one of the most orthodox and holy men that I know and also a fellow revert who became a priest), he said that God doesn’t always work miracles - usually, the Lord works slowly but surely to turn our hearts towards Him.

So, don’t be discouraged if you keep on falling into the same sin, for while sin does ruin our relationship with God, He (through Jesus Christ) has opened the floodgates of His Mercy and is willing to embrace you with open arms every time you acknowledge your need for His help. Also, keep in mind that being angry at yourself is not part of God’s plan - in fact, it can be self-destructive and actually turn you away from God as it gives you an increased chance of despair (speaking from personal experience). Finally, remember that God is still working in you to attain purity despite your fallen nature and that even St. Augustine (a grave sinner who turned into one of the most influential Christians of all time) did not get rid of his lust and pride in one day. (Actually, when I was struggling with my grave sin, I actually prayed for his intercession and found him useful for this purpose. Perhaps you can find another saint who struggled with the same specific temptations that you are going through and do the same thing?)

Also, viewing this thread might be able to help you in terms of addressing any issues of spiritual dryness that you may have: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=721717 (Furthermore, as a supplement, I would like to add my personal warning via this post over here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=9931454&postcount=2.)

God bless, and may Jesus (through Mary) give you the strength to fight your temptations!

 

[pwlj_christ87]

i definatly will i just felt alot greater last week before i did this habitual sin, and i dont want to plant the wrong ideas in my head that i am no longer loved etc. i really want to return to that state its that state that you know you are right , just, and in line with god… i did go to confession i am just feeling not as good is all

thanks for your response

 

[pwlj_christ87]

I actually experienced this before when I was struggling with a grave sin when I was younger, and I went through what you were going through: the highs and closeness to God that comes from internal conversion, and the lows that come when you can’t seemingly feel the “presence” of God anymore because you have sinned against Him.

But while I did do a huge-180 when it came towards my worldview, I made the mistake of assuming that because of this turnaround, I would automatically stop my bad habits. Now that I look back on it, I find that it is false: in the words of my former spiritual director (who is one of the most orthodox and holy men that I know and also a fellow revert who became a priest), he said that God doesn’t always work miracles - usually, the Lord works slowly but surely to turn our hearts towards Him.

So, don’t be discouraged if you keep on falling into the same sin, for while sin does ruin our relationship with God, He (through Jesus Christ) has opened the floodgates of His Mercy and is willing to embrace you with open arms every time you acknowledge your need for His help. Also, keep in mind that being angry at yourself is not part of God’s plan - in fact, it can be self-destructive and actually turn you away from God as it gives you an increased chance of despair (speaking from personal experience). Finally, remember that God is still working in you to attain purity despite your fallen nature and that even St. Augustine (a grave sinner who turned into one of the most influential Christians of all time) did not get rid of his lust and pride in one day. (Actually, when I was struggling with my grave sin, I actually prayed for his intercession and found him useful for this purpose. Perhaps you can find another saint who struggled with the same specific temptations that you are going through and do the same thing?)

Also, viewing this thread might be able to help you in terms of addressing any issues of spiritual dryness that you may have: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=721717 (Furthermore, as a supplement, I would like to add my personal warning via this post over here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=9931454&postcount=2.)

God bless, and may Jesus (through Mary) give you the strength to fight your temptations!

thank you it is anger that i was dealing with and your answer is what i needed… i do feel it is wrong and your right it was sort of turning me away, iw as having thoughts like, if im doomed to keep repeating this sin, what is the point of continuously going to mass… but deep down inside i knew that would be wrong as well… i hope i can overcome this sooon its definatly not where iw ant to be…

i will pray to st agustine. thanks, for your response

 

[Marie1234]

Be careful you don’t fall into scrupulosity. You should talk to your priest about this and he will help you through it.

God Bless

 

[Linusthe2nd]

hello all,

well in the past month or two I have made significant strides with my relationship with God, never have I felt so close to him and had such an understanding of catholicism, really changing my mind and views on things. I remember leaving mass with such victory and peace and understanding the point of the cruficxi and Jesus.

Well I have struggled in my sins and after going to confession yesterday, I dont feel any different. I feel frustrated that I keep falling into the same sin, and I hope I havent hurt my relationship with God.

My question is, is this state im in, being frustrated and sort of angry at myself, a part of gods plan? Is it o for me to feel this way? or is it dangerous? I havent gaven up, i went to mass today

please help

Per post above, I think the " Confessions of St. Augustine " would be a good book for you to read.
Some practical things. Stay busy, get plenty of exercise. Avoid anything which may be leading you down this path. T.V. might be bad for you, I gave it up a year ago myself. Be very careful where you go on the net. Be careful what you read. Get interestered in something, some kind of a hobby, preferabley something which keep you physically active. Get regular rest. Be modest in meals. Avoid alcohol and drugs. If you don’t drink coffee, don’t start. Strong stimulants and food that is too spicy may be contributing to the problem. The Saints always practiced some kind of penance. It should be something simple but a real sacrefice to help contro the passions.

Daily prayer ( morning, mid day and evening), rosary each day, mass and the eucharist if possible, weekly confession, dialy Scripture reading ( at least the Mass readings for the day, read the lives of the Saints. When you go to sleep at night, go to sleep saying the rosary ( don’t worry about finishing it, your Angel will do that and this will be your second rosary not your " daily " rosary ). Ask the help of the Holy Spirit, He is God too and the source of all grace!!!

 

[Vouthon]

hello all,

well in the past month or two I have made significant strides with my relationship with God, never have I felt so close to him and had such an understanding of catholicism, really changing my mind and views on things. I remember leaving mass with such victory and peace and understanding the point of the cruficxi and Jesus.

Well I have struggled in my sins and after going to confession yesterday, I dont feel any different. I feel frustrated that I keep falling into the same sin, and I hope I havent hurt my relationship with God.

My question is, is this state im in, being frustrated and sort of angry at myself, a part of gods plan? Is it o for me to feel this way? or is it dangerous? I havent gaven up, i went to mass today

please help

Dear Brother/Sister Pwjl,

There is never reason for despair, frustration or feeling like you have hurt your relationship with God. These are not good thoughts, they are afflictive emotions which stem from a desire to please God but ultimately are misdirected and too self-punishing. Goodness is there in your heart. You have the image of the Holy Trinity shinning within you, ever-present. Why need you fear? "Goodness has no need to enter the soul, " wrote a fourteenth-century Catholic mystic, “It is there already, simply unperceived”.

Simply love Him and trust in his mercy and in his grace which will sustain you and transform your present state of dejection into elevation in His own time.

“…Why are you so distressed?..There is no reason for your being disturbed. Let it pass. It is not your first mistake, or anything new; nor, if you live long, will it be your last…All is not lost, however often you feel tempted or sorely troubled. You are a man, not God; you are human, not an angel. How can you expect to remain always in a constant state of virtue, when this was not possible even for an angel of Heaven, nor for the first man in the Garden? I am He who grants healing and comfort to those in distress (Job 5:11) and I raise up to My Divinity those who acknowledge their weakness…When comfort is withdrawn, do not immediately despair, but humbly and patiently await the will of Heaven; for God is able to restore to you a consolation even richer than before. This is nothing new or strange to those who know the ways of God, for the great Saints and Prophets of old often experienced these changes…”

- Thomas A Kempis (1380 – 1471), The Imitation of Christ, Catholic mystic

There is never reason for despair.

That’s all I will say for now, anything more would be meaningless commentary on this salient truth which you need to recover from your present state of mind

 

[Mezz]

They are great words and food for thought for all of us,we r all struggling in one way or another

Thank u for that passage

 

[Cristina_christ]

I need friends ,need Good and spiritually Friends

Just got out of 6 year marriage and feel a a bit down
help me