Frustrated but Searching

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tom_c_1

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Hi

I was hoping for some guidance on getting to know God better. My spiritual life runs hot and cold and right now it is very cold–to the point that I seldom pray. I think about God often each day but only for brief moments. I find myself very attracted to the history of Catholicism and why we believe what we believe, but I have a very difficult time persevering in my prayer life. I would really appreciate any insight or suggestions people have.
 
Praise him in the cold times, even if it’s hard, just do it, and know the struggle within it, is getting you to stop focusing on the moment and trust that he will carry you through. We all face the same things, it’s a process of sorts, we are ultimately being taught to not change our faith in him, regardless of how hot or cold it is.
 
tom_c said:
Hi

I was hoping for some guidance on getting to know God better. My spiritual life runs hot and cold and right now it is very cold–to the point that I seldom pray. I think about God often each day but only for brief moments. I find myself very attracted to the history of Catholicism and why we believe what we believe, but I have a very difficult time persevering in my prayer life. I would really appreciate any insight or suggestions people have.
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My dear friend

It’s important to have a set routine you really stick to in your spiritual life. You may say I’m going to pray the rosary every day at 6 pm for example. If you really want to move ahead in your spiritual life you need a spiritual director usually. If you aren’t going forwards you will start to go backwards too. Maybe this is your problem? Most people find it helps them a great deal to spend some time visiting our Lord in the blessed sacrament every day or very often Perhaps try this. We all think we’re cold if we feel that way but it’s not always reality also. It can be God removing a little of His consolation to help us grow in the spiritual life. This is common. It’s a bit like mom weaving you off the breast onto a dummy when your a baby. Sometimes God weaves us off His consolation a little to help us grow stronger spiritually. It’s important to persevere even if it’s hard and we feel no consolation, pleasue in the spiritual or love of God. In this way we grow spiritually. Maybe this is happening? It’s common.
The love God wants from us is an act of the will, not emotional love. If we feel it emotionally fine, but it’s not necessary. Sacrificial love is the greatest love we can show God. This love is the highest form of love because it’s the kind Jesus felt for us on the cross.

Try a monestary or contact these people opusdei.org/ if your looking for a spiritual director to help you.

A great modern saint wrote the following works which you can go through for topics that interest you to help you spiritually here escrivaworks.org/ it covers everything to do with the spiritual life and great for reflection and meditations.

We all need to watch out for lukewarmness. I’m not saying your lukewarm but it’s a problem all come across. Like anything you only get out of the faith what you put into it. To not be lukewarm we all need to put in more- often. If we want to feel the love of God we need to fill our hearts and souls with the love of God. God is Love and we receive Him in the form of grace. We need to fill ourselves with this love which is grace.

We get the most grace from mass, the sacraments, prayer, sacrifices and almsgiving. If we want to feel hot in our faith and full of the love of God we just need a shift of focus and to give God pride of place in our life. It’s a constant struggle we all have.

I hope this helps. Opus Dei is great too.

God bless you and pray for me please:thumbsup:🙂

John
 
I have been thinking more along this thread, have more (name removed by moderator)ut to add onto it as well.

We want to be in the state of hot to cold states, it’s during the times when things are hot, take not of all of Gods grace and blessings that are going on, write them down, how well things are working in your life, what you feel, everything. During these cold times, remember what happened during the hot ones, know that your faith is now being tested, to see what it is in reality, without the support and props, be honest with yourself, and know in your mind and heart, that he is always faithful, he will carry you through these times, you will exit the cold state, sooner or later, and if you do not fall away, he will restore you sooner rather then later. Often we get caught up, side tracked, and generally derrailed during the cold times, it’s more important then ever during them to work even more diligently towards your prayer life, for it’s a time of growth.

I know, luke warm, it’s easier to exist, it’s also stagnant, not a period of growth at all, in fact, just the opposite., Be happy you are not that way, count these times as blessings, rely upon God for everything even more, for this is what he desires, for us to count on him, to trust him, to allow him to take care of us, for we are his children, and he is our father, and like any good parent, they want nothing but the best for their children at all times, a good parent will guide, instruct, and even on occasion punish their children, they do so out of Love, and it’s through his Love we are transformed.
 
tom_c said:
Hi

I was hoping for some guidance on getting to know God better. My spiritual life runs hot and cold and right now it is very cold–to the point that I seldom pray. I think about God often each day but only for brief moments. I find myself very attracted to the history of Catholicism and why we believe what we believe, but I have a very difficult time persevering in my prayer life. I would really appreciate any insight or suggestions people have.
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Study. Follow your nose, go to what interests you and dig. Try to follow the teaching of the Church and receive the Sacraments as often as you can (making sure to observe the proper conditions), and you could be astounded!
 
tom_c said:
Hi

I was hoping for some guidance on getting to know God better. My spiritual life runs hot and cold and right now it is very cold–to the point that I seldom pray. I think about God often each day but only for brief moments. I find myself very attracted to the history of Catholicism and why we believe what we believe, but I have a very difficult time persevering in my prayer life. I would really appreciate any insight or suggestions people have.
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Tom, can you give us just a few hints on your current situation, so we can give some relevant suggestions? Married?Kids?single?student?bible-scholar?etc
 
I appreciate everyone’s responses. Lukewarmness is something I struggle w/ often so you are right to say that. It is difficult for me to continue seeking God when I don’t find that consolation that you speak of.

Spirit, to answer your inquiries. I am 29, married, with one child and another on the way. I will be graduating w/ a law degree in May. To be honest, I have some fear about this as well. A priest said to me recently in Confession that we need more good Catholic lawyers, which is what I hope to be someday.

In my previous post I indicated that the Church itself fascinates me and I’ve read a number of books in this area the last couple years but by no means am I fluent in any of it. I also read a lot (and listen to many CDs) on what it means to be a Catholic husband and father.

If there is more you would like to know please ask. Thank you again.
 
Law is a good field, it’s so, so, and so abused this day it’s a wonder why more people don’t know it better rather they get shoved around too much.

You are feeling the movement away from a lukewarm faith, it’s now obvious, just trust in God and hold on tight to him.
 
tom_c said:
Hi

I was hoping for some guidance on getting to know God better. My spiritual life runs hot and cold and right now it is very cold–to the point that I seldom pray. I think about God often each day but only for brief moments.
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You may be surprised to here this but if you think about God often, then you pray often. Prayer is not just when we “go into our private room…” or recite certain prescribed words. Prayer is each time we think - “Thank you God”, or “Help me God”, or “what should I do God”. Thus, you are probably praying many times during the day and simply don’t realize it.
I find myself very attracted to the history of Catholicism and why we believe what we believe, but I have a very difficult time persevering in my prayer life. I would really appreciate any insight or suggestions people have.
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As others have said, a schedule is quite important. Praying whe we don’t feel like it is sort of like going to work when we dont’ feel like ti, or doing laundry when we don’t feel like it. The action, even done without real joy, has benefits - Work results in money for living, laundry results in clean clothes, prayer results in grace.

Note the book in my signature, it might be of help to you.

Peace
James
 
tom_c said:
I appreciate everyone’s responses. Lukewarmness is something I struggle w/ often so you are right to say that. It is difficult for me to continue seeking God when I don’t find that consolation that you speak of.

Spirit, to answer your inquiries. I am 29, married, with one child and another on the way. I will be graduating w/ a law degree in May. To be honest, I have some fear about this as well. A priest said to me recently in Confession that we need more good Catholic lawyers, which is what I hope to be someday.

In my previous post I indicated that the Church itself fascinates me and I’ve read a number of books in this area the last couple years but by no means am I fluent in any of it. I also read a lot (and listen to many CDs) on what it means to be a Catholic husband and father.

If there is more you would like to know please ask. Thank you again.
Click to expand...
My dear friend

Can I add that lukewarmness is the devil in disguise. There’s a book on that. We all have to be very careful not become lukewarm. Remember what Jesus said, would that you were hot or cold but that you are lukewarm I will vomit you forth. Strong words from our Lord for us all.

Can I recommend you check out Opus Dei? It may be of interest to you perhaps. There is a lot more in the church than just parish life. Being a married professional this may be up your alley.

You can contact them via this website opusdei.org/

The founders writings may interest you. They cover everything in the spiritual life. Check them out here escrivaworks.org/

I hope this helps.

God bless you and pray for me please:thumbsup:🙂

John
 
tom_c said:
Hi

I was hoping for some guidance on getting to know God better. My spiritual life runs hot and cold and right now it is very cold–to the point that I seldom pray. I think about God often each day but only for brief moments. I find myself very attracted to the history of Catholicism and why we believe what we believe, but I have a very difficult time persevering in my prayer life. I would really appreciate any insight or suggestions people have.
Click to expand...
frjacquesphilippe.com/books/time_for_god.html
 
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