How do Catholics "take every thought captive"

[AnneTeresa]

I would like to hear from some spiritually mature catholics about how do we stop negative patterns of thinking once we discover them. For instance, if I struggle with feeling “less then” others or feeling discourage, unaccepted, fearful, etc., etc., what is the catholic way to fight them? I realize these are “strongholds” in my life (is “stronghold” a catholic concept or only a protestant one?).

I have found protestant articles about using Scripture to defeat lies from Satan once we discover them… and they talk about memorizing scripture verses but the only catholic things I’ve found have to do with impure thoughts.

I think we are called to be set free so that we can serve God more fully, but I find that old thought patterns–some which are even very hard to see because they are such ingrained habits–keep me from being as free as I’d like.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[dshix]

I would like to hear from some spiritually mature catholics about how do we stop negative patterns of thinking once we discover them. For instance, if I struggle with feeling “less then” others or feeling discourage, unaccepted, fearful, etc., etc., what is the catholic way to fight them? I realize these are “strongholds” in my life (is “stronghold” a catholic concept or only a protestant one?).

I have found protestant articles about using Scripture to defeat lies from Satan once we discover them… and they talk about memorizing scripture verses but the only catholic things I’ve found have to do with impure thoughts.

I think we are called to be set free so that we can serve God more fully, but I find that old thought patterns–some which are even very hard to see because they are such ingrained habits–keep me from being as free as I’d like.

Any help is appreciated!

I’m glad for you that you are realizing your internal vices and trying to get rid of them. That’s a very good first step.

The best way to avoid, and eventually get rid of these problems is to know what the opposite virtue is and intentionally practice it.

For example, let’s say you feel irritated because in a conversation, one person drove the conversation and was essentially the center of attention; not in a bad way, but simply because that person had the most important, interesting things to say so everyone listened.

You feel decreased or angry because you wished for what you were saying to be listened to. You know that this vice exists, and you wish to push it back. The best action to do in this situation is to intentionally, publicly compliment that person on their knowledge/important comments. Do what you don’t want to do to conquer your vice.

This general principle can apply to anything. Any vice that you have, intentionally practice the opposite virtue. If you struggle with anger, try to be calm when angered. If you have pride, show humility by giving compliments to those who you feel competitive with.

 

[AnneTeresa]

You feel decreased or angry because you wished for what you were saying to be listened to. You know that this vice exists, and you wish to push it back. The best action to do in this situation is to intentionally, publicly compliment that person on their knowledge/important comments. Do what you don’t want to do to conquer your vice.

This general principle can apply to anything. Any vice that you have, intentionally practice the opposite virtue. If you struggle with anger, try to be calm when angered. If you have pride, show humility by giving compliments to those who you feel competitive with.

Thanks. What if my response to something like this is thinking, “I am so unimportant. No wonder no one pays any attention to me. They think I’m dumb. I am just too quiet. I wish I could talk better so that people pay attention.” What is the vice there and what would the opposite be?

 

[jritenour]

Thoughts and actions are actually habits. For example some things I feel have straightened out for me simply by changing my thoughts and actions:

I used to drink too much. I made the decision to cut it back - a lot. It has taken me a couple of years but it’s not anything I think about anymore.

I used to look at women A LOT and accepted all the thoughts that would crop up as a result. I made the decision to turn away from looking at anything on the internet or other than saying good morning to someone, not to look at a woman’s body intentionally. I found eventually, I was far less tempted to do so.

I used to hate giving money to the Church (or spending it anywhere - was way too thrifty for my own good) but started giving to others a little at a time. Over a few years, this issue has changed for me.

Thinking on these things, I have been able to sit down and objectively see where I have other bad habits and begin working on those. I would suggest you do the same. Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you to certain habits you have that you know are dangerous or simply not profitable to your growth in the Lord and ask God to help you remove them, one bad habit at a time. None of us will ever be perfect but there’s no reason we can’t try to better ourselves.

May the peace of Christ be with you. I will pray for you.

 

[lakotak]

For me it is to have a well informed conscious, to know what God wants and commands of me, knowing His Word. Understanding this, when I have negative thought instead of going with the feelings and inclinations towards them, I use my will against them. I just had a serious spiritual battle last night, where I had to use my will and turn toward him, when the thoughts in my head were pushing me hard away from God on an issue of weakness for me.

Just my experience.

 

[Lady_Love]

I was just reading in a book called “Consoling the Heart of Jesus,” which I highly recommend. It’s a book based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. To sum up what he would say: Let Jesus do it.

He says to run to Jesus, focus on Jesus, and then Jesus will gently take care of your problems. Even if you are negative, bring those thoughts and feelings to Jesus. Use it as a platform to be in relationship with Him. In this way our weakness becomes our strength. We try to do so many things on our own or by our strength. Let Jesus do it.

 

[dshix]

Thanks. What if my response to something like this is thinking, “I am so unimportant. No wonder no one pays any attention to me. They think I’m dumb. I am just too quiet. I wish I could talk better so that people pay attention.” What is the vice there and what would the opposite be?

This honestly sounds to me like you are just not self-confident enough, not that there is a vice. Do you really feel unimportant and ignored? Do you not have friends that you can just relax with and not have to feel like “putting up a show” of confidence for?

Honestly, when I feel like this (and in a few circles I do) I remind myself that I AM unimportant and I don’t NEED to be noticed in order to enjoy others’ company. Unless I am directly derided or abused I don’t mind being nondescript so much.

 

[revert_jen]

Thanks. What if my response to something like this is thinking, “I am so unimportant. No wonder no one pays any attention to me. They think I’m dumb. I am just too quiet. I wish I could talk better so that people pay attention.” What is the vice there and what would the opposite be?

I would try to remember that Jesus Christ died for you because you are that important to Him. How much more important do you need to be?

You might also want to look for a public speaking class at a community college or something like that. It will help you speak more, and if you look like a fool in class for any reason, it won’t matter because you don’t know the people in the class. But practicing public speaking can help give confidence for speaking in conversations too.

Also, remember that people really like listeners. So if you’re not speaking it doesn’t mean people will think you’re dumb. They may just think you’re kind.

God bless you,

–Jen

 

[DBT]

What I think the OP is trying to get at is what to do when we become aware of a particular train of thought that begins as an attachment and can potentially lead to sinful action … what St. John of the Cross calls the “first movements” of our soul.

Short answer: We change the channel of the “movie” running in the back of our minds before we begin to cling to it in the form of mental preoccupation. Nip it in the bud.

When we read St. John of the Cross this task is the “work of the work” of our spiritual life … the heart of what he calls the active night of spirit. And it is the movement of our soul that proceeds what others are saying by pairing virtue against it’s corresponding vice.

Dave

 

[DBT]

… that wasn’t too clear, I think.

What we’re talking about is the moment we become aware of a train of thought (first movement) but before we become attached to it by dwelling on it. And I’m not necessarily talking sinful thoughts here … more like self defeating thoughts of the original post.

The moment of awareness is the time to act … by simply dismissing the troubling thought and returning our loving attention back to God.

When this becomes a habit in us (a fruit of the Practice of the Presence of God) all else is greatly simplified. We often don’t even proceed to the point where we have to consciously invoke a virtue to perform to counteract a potential vice … for we are already performing virtue by simply remaining attentive to Him.

Dave