Giving up

[jmcrae]

Outfctrl;

Change your internet handle. Names are very important, especially the ones we give ourselves.

At some level, you are thinking of yourself as “out of control” and this could be part of what’s blocking your progress.

How about something like, “backincontrol,” or “gettingcontrol.” Or “ThumpingSatan.”

 

[Belle10]

Well, I guess its time I face my demons. Before I came back to the Church, I was carefree and did what I want.

Now, I struggle constantly.

When does it get better? Why do I constantly think about this?

I have no friends to talk to except all of you. Most of my friends…well, I say friends, have no concience and do what they please. Just like I used to do. It is so hard hanging out with them now, coming up with excuses not to participate in certain activities.

I used to have women call me all the time to get together. Now they have stopped. I kept making excuses not to see them.

Most of the guys I used to hang out with, stopped calling me too.

I hurt all the time with small things I do now.

I FEEL LIKE A MONK!!!..LOL

Get involved with groups at church. You’ll make new friends who have the same struggles and the same faith, and you can help others at the same time. Remember that you have the heart of your Best Friend (see below) listening whenever you want to talk.

Please, read the Conversation of the Merciful God with a Despairing Soul (from St. Faustina’s Diary): forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=201480

I agree with the poster who suggested changing your screenname – rest in God’s will and you’ll be fine.

 

[Robin_L.in_TX]

outfctrl,

For me, it was my temper. No matter what I did, I could only catch it after I lost it. Finally, I gave my temper to Jesus during the Offertory at Mass. Laughing at myself, I told Him that though it was probably the worst “gift” He had ever received that I gave it to Him because I couldn’t handle it. For the first time ever, I “caught” my temper before I lost it that next week.

All of my prayers, Adoration time, morning and nightly examens of conscience: nothing worked until I realized my total helplessness with our Lord’s help.

On the other side, I still slip once in a while, part of keeping me humble, I think, but while I was striving to overcome my problem with temper, God healed me of other besetting sins without me realizing it. It wasn’t until a close friend told me how much she looks to me as an example of charity–in refusing to gossip and trying to see other’s actions in the best possible light unless or until proven otherwise. You’d have to have known me before, but gossip and sarcasm had been two more of my faults.

God is great, but we have to totally entrust ourselves to Him. Maybe this is what He is asking of you… If not kindly disregard.

Something to meditate on in Adoration, I hope. You are in my prayers, and I am asking St. Augustine to pray you through this as well!

In Christ’s peace and joy,

Robin

 

[Mini_gerbel]

When does it get better? Why do I constantly think about this?

it will get better soon you will see. i have had this stuff. Some temptations will just stop at a certain time. It wont be that long just persevere and all that stuff.

 

[po18guy]

You are in danger of becoming a casualty on the battle field of spiritual warfare. We live in the kingdom of the evil one. He is the tempter. Consider:

Job 1:6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”

Matthew 4:3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Mark 1:13 …and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan.

Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. (And this was Christ!)

We fail when we de-emphasize or ignore the continual presence of the evil one. It is he who first lead you away from the faith. And it is precisely he who is tempting you now. Notice that your sins are always the same? That is because the evil one sends exactly that which tempts you. He knows which buttons to push - and he does. He doesn’t send you drug dealers, gamblers, or thieves, but rather temptation to sexual sin, and the temptation to leave Christ. It worked before, and the vile one is betting it will work again.

The antidote is to spend time with Christ. How? Since Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist, find an hour a week to spend with him in Adoration. If Christ was in church teaching in His human body, you bet you’d find time to go listen. Well, he is there! Go and kneel before Him. Pray. Read scripture. Let Christ speak to your heart. Satan has the rest of the week, and he uses it. Christ strengthens you. Satan weakens you.

Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Christ’s peace, my brother.

 

[BlaineTog]

Actually, it was easier when I cam back to the Church after 30 years. Why am I finding it so hard to stay with Her now?

Because enthusiasm peters out as time goes on. Without that enthusiasm to back up your own force of will, you’re going to have a hard time continuing to push against that little naggling spring-like wrinkle deep in your soul that’s trying to snap you away from God.

Oh, and friends help. Human beings can help each other out.

 

[outfctrl]

Why doesnt our Lord make us overcome evil? It seems Satan has so much power over us.

Why is it easier to sin then follow what is right?

Shouldnt it be the other way around? God is so much more powerful. Satan should be the one struggling to get our soul.

 

[po18guy]

Why doesnt our Lord make us overcome evil? It seems Satan has so much power over us. Why is it easier to sin then follow what is right? Shouldnt it be the other way around? God is so much more powerful. Satan should be the one struggling to get our soul.

We would have no free will if the Lord made us immune to evil. He knows that the truest, the purest love is that of those who struggle - those who can choose evil, but do not and struggle toward the Father.

Sin is not only a habit, it is our inclination. It can be overcome, but not without a fight. It was the other way around until our ancestors fell, through ego and disobedience. Since then, the world has become the kingdom of the evil one. We all fight sin, and sometimes we win. For those other times, there is reconciliation.

Here’s what Saint Francis de Sales wrote of it:

"For whether we desire it or not, we shall be tempted. If we do not struggle, we shall not be victorious, nor shall we merit the crown of immortal glory which God has prepared for those of us who are victorious and triumphant.

Let us fear neither the temptation nor the tempter, for if we make use of the shield of faith and the armor of truth, they will have no power whatsoever over us"

Christ’s peace and strength be with you.

 

[St_Gabriel]

Hi there outfctrl

It seems to me that you are giving the enemy too much credit. Try to ignore him and focus on the Lord instead. Remember, Jesus was very humble. I wouldn’t quit the Knights. You may be able to meet new people through them and you’ll have great opportunity to do works of charity. We all have to climb some mountains in this life, but eventually you’ll be on your way. Hang in there and whatever you do, don’t give up! I know that sometimes it feels dry.

It might help you to say the prayer to St. Michael whenever you are feeling overwhelmed.

 

[Mini_gerbel]

You are in danger of becoming a casualty on the battle field of spiritual warfare. We live in the kingdom of the evil one. He is the tempter. Consider:

Job 1:6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”

Matthew 4:3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Mark 1:13 …and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan.

Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. (And this was Christ!)

We fail when we de-emphasize or ignore the continual presence of the evil one. It is he who first lead you away from the faith. And it is precisely he who is tempting you now. Notice that your sins are always the same? That is because the evil one sends exactly that which tempts you. He knows which buttons to push - and he does. He doesn’t send you drug dealers, gamblers, or thieves, but rather temptation to sexual sin, and the temptation to leave Christ. It worked before, and the vile one is betting it will work again.

The antidote is to spend time with Christ. How? Since Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist, find an hour a week to spend with him in Adoration. If Christ was in church teaching in His human body, you bet you’d find time to go listen. Well, he is there! Go and kneel before Him. Pray. Read scripture. Let Christ speak to your heart. Satan has the rest of the week, and he uses it. Christ strengthens you. Satan weakens you.

Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Christ’s peace, my brother.

AHMEN ALLELULIA PRAISE BE! there is hope for all!