Guilt

[Flame4]

Recently I have been feeling very upset with my sins, ones I have confessed and have been done in the past. Nothing major I suppose, but I feel very sad that I have sinned. Especially sexual sins (like thoughts.) I think about how I was innocent as a child and feel ashamed I could not maintain it.

I don’t doubt I am forgiven, but I feel disgusted, angry, and sad with myself. What can I do about this? Thanks in advance and God bless!

 

[dusza]

Be more humble. Don’t worry, I get this advice a lot too. Sadness over forgiven sins is a symptom of lingering pride with some spiritual envy thrown in. “How could I (!) do this?” Yeah, you could. We all can. “Why am I (!) not a saint like the others?”. Because you’re meant to be a saint like you. Isn’t God’s mercy great?

 

[Bookcat]

Recently I have been feeling very upset with my sins, ones I have confessed and have been done in the past. Nothing major I suppose, but I feel very sad that I have sinned. Especially sexual sins (like thoughts.) I think about how I was innocent as a child and feel ashamed I could not maintain it.

I don’t doubt I am forgiven, but I feel disgusted, angry, and sad with myself. What can I do about this? Thanks in advance and God bless!

Turn away from looking at yourself and look at Christ.

If they have been confessed and absolved…now turn in joy to Christ…and live joyfully the Christian life…and abound in thanksgiving!

Take the advice of Paul:

(1 Th 5 RSV)

*Rejoice always,
pray constantly,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. *

this book can be helpful for you frjacquesphilippe.com/books/searching_forand_maintaining_peace.html

and frjacquesphilippe.com/books/interior_freedom.html

 

[EasterJoy]

Guilt has its place, for it prompts us to look at whether we have sinned, but shame does not have a lot of use. Very often, it is a disguised form of either pride or ingratitude.

Three suggestions:

1. When the devil torments you with shame, give thanks and praise to God for His unending mercy, instead. Give thanks that He is strong where you are weak and impoverished. Mostly, though, turn your thoughts to reflection on God and how wonderful He is, and not on yourself. Singing can be really good.
2. Pray and do penance for those snared or enslaved in sexual sins, including yourself and those who ensnare others or prey on the innocent, asking for the grace of repentance, the joy of purity and the strength to come to God in your weakness when you are tempted or fall. If you have compassion for those who are even more ensnared than you are and maintain the hope that God will redeem them, you’ll have an easier time believing in God’s immense compassion for your condition.
3. Read Ephesians. I had a priest give tell me to do this when I was very ashamed about something, and it helped me a great deal.

 

[Bookcat]

1. Read Ephesians. I had a priest give tell me to do this when I was very ashamed about something, and it helped me a great deal.

and Colossians…and Philippians…

take one at *one sitting *and read it all from beginning to the end…perhaps even outloud…take it as a whole…read it as it was written…it is a letter.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Continue to Pray the Rosary for Peace of Mind. I don’t anything that will bring you relief faster than that.

Peace. Gary

 

[Flame4]

THank you for all your advice everyone

God Bless, please pray for me.