How Do I Help My Brother?

[ATeutonicKnight]

In my family, it is common to have a chemical imbalance that makes you worry about something. I, my mother, and my father all worry about others frequently. For instance, when I was ten, I was constantly afraid that my dad would die, despite him not being in any danger, and it took me a few years to eventually stop this. My brother and sister, however, are always afraid about themselves (Self-centered aren’t they? ), and they constantly worry about dying in their sleep and such. Well, my brother is also worried about Hell. He doesn’t get into any “Religious talk”, because it always reminds him of Hell. To quote him, “Talking about Religion reminds me of Heaven, and Heaven reminds me of death, which reminds me of Hell.” He’s deeply worried about both death and Hell very much, it seems. How do I help him to get Religious without being reminded of Hell and death? There are pills in which he can take to balance this chemical in his brain, but I don’t think he would be open to it. Is there anything I can say that can help him?

 

[MontChevalier]

In my family, it is common to have a chemical imbalance that makes you worry about something. I, my mother, and my father all worry about others frequently. For instance, when I was ten, I was constantly afraid that my dad would die, despite him not being in any danger, and it took me a few years to eventually stop this. My brother and sister, however, are always afraid about themselves (Self-centered aren’t they? ), and they constantly worry about dying in their sleep and such. Well, my brother is also worried about Hell. He doesn’t get into any “Religious talk”, because it always reminds him of Hell. To quote him, “Talking about Religion reminds me of Heaven, and Heaven reminds me of death, which reminds me of Hell.” He’s deeply worried about both death and Hell very much, it seems. How do I help him to get Religious without being reminded of Hell and death? There are pills in which he can take to balance this chemical in his brain, but I don’t think he would be open to it. Is there anything I can say that can help him?

Wow, my friend, this one takes the cake on problems I’ve reviewed. Deus meus! I’ve gone from teenage girls who hate God cause their lives suck, to men who are angry and bitter and lonely and confused, I’ve even spoken to heretics and witches, but DE-US ME-US, this one cuts the cake by an inch longer than most.

Now don’t take my words as a form of mocking, which it isn’t, far from it. I’m just really surprised by this.

I can tell you however that you can add your brother to your prayers. It would be beneficial spiritually and emotionally, to begin. Try and keep things subtle around him. Sometimes quoting the words of saints or the actions of heroes long past to inspire passion into Catholicism (And if you’ve studied Catholic History, it has a LOOOOONG list of heroes; both men and women). I would suggest St. Augustine; whom I have been studying and have found him to be one of the most exemplary of people. True inspirations of the Catholic faith. A real hero to us, in these dark days.

Buy his book, “The Confessions”, if you can, and check it out. Also, if you’re a big Crusade junkie (Like me ), you might want to get his book “The City of God”, which talks about the Theory of Just War, and other important points as well.

-MontChevalier

 

[Spirithound]

In my family, it is common to have a chemical imbalance that makes you worry about something. I, my mother, and my father all worry about others frequently. For instance, when I was ten, I was constantly afraid that my dad would die, despite him not being in any danger, and it took me a few years to eventually stop this. My brother and sister, however, are always afraid about themselves (Self-centered aren’t they? ), and they constantly worry about dying in their sleep and such. Well, my brother is also worried about Hell. He doesn’t get into any “Religious talk”, because it always reminds him of Hell. To quote him, “Talking about Religion reminds me of Heaven, and Heaven reminds me of death, which reminds me of Hell.” He’s deeply worried about both death and Hell very much, it seems. How do I help him to get Religious without being reminded of Hell and death? There are pills in which he can take to balance this chemical in his brain, but I don’t think he would be open to it. Is there anything I can say that can help him?

As you note, your brother, in his current state, is not really open to religion. This is not his fault. He needs medication, but you are not the one to bring up the subject. I’m assuming that he is a child, living with your parents. It is their job to get him the medical help he needs. As for your part, you should pray for him.

 

[dconklin]

Yeah, getting him chemically right is key. Everything else should be easier after that.

 

[yinekka]

Perhaps your family needs counselling from a good Catholic psychologist family counsellor.

 

[johnthebaptist1]

To help your brother, overcome, try telling that Jesus came to save us sinners,that
after Death, theirs no more pain, suffering,all you will have is a place thats full of Joy. The pain we well suffer at the end, is nothing that Jesus went threw for us, and as long as your,brother does whatever he can to help others,and tell Jesus that he LOVES him, Jesus will never abanded him because of our sins. He just wants to Here him say, Jesus
I love you.