How does a teenage student serve God?

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I’m currently in high school doing my IGCSEs in 2 weeks, and so far my spiritual life has been rather dead and I’ve been travelling along a lukewarm road; seemingly content with my spiritual condition.

I have quite a few things to balance out:
  1. My spiritual life
  2. My studies
  3. My mental condition
  4. The house (it’s really messy)
For #3, it’s not really a mental illness (I think) though I tend to believe everything negative that comes into my head without question; even stuff like ‘‘if you close your textbook, you can save lives from being destroyed by an explosion’’ (which are completely absurd by the way) and it really distracts me from praying, reading the Bible and even my studies.

I try to focus on the tasks set ahead before me but I just can’t seem to because of #3, to top it off, there is just so much to do: I have IGCSEs this year, the real one in fact; IB next 2 years; then university and so forth.

But I keep hearing news such as World War 3 possibly about to start soon and if Jesus were to come now, boy I wouldn’t be ready one single bit. I want to take my spiritual life seriously, but I also seem to want to do well in my studies and I can’t balance out both. This is probably a pride issue but I always aim to achieve the best scores for my exams as it makes me feel good about myself (is this a mortal sin though??)

Though sometimes I have thoughts like ‘‘I should purposely fail this test to practice humility’’ which i usually don’t give in to but yeah.

Also, regarding #3, should I go to a psychiatrist or a priest with skills in psychology to help me with my state? Or should I just pray to God and trust Him without consulting any of these?

Thanks and God bless 🙂
 
You can serve God by being where God wantsyou right now in the present, i.e. be a good student.

One of the lesson’s I received this morning is that in order to be open to the flow of God’s grace, we have to allow ourselves to be vulnerable. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we remove the walls of defense and fear we have, because whatever takes place in our life, is the flow of God’s will. It allows us to see God in everyone and everything.

So, place yourself in God’s presence, and pray for the freedom of God’s will to be done in your life.

God Bless
Jim
 
ResoluteSheep said:
I’m currently in high school doing my IGCSEs in 2 weeks, and so far my spiritual life has been rather dead and I’ve been travelling along a lukewarm road; seemingly content with my spiritual condition.

I have quite a few things to balance out:
  1. My spiritual life
  2. My studies
  3. My mental condition
  4. The house (it’s really messy)
For #3, it’s not really a mental illness (I think) though I tend to believe everything negative that comes into my head without question; even stuff like ‘‘if you close your textbook, you can save lives from being destroyed by an explosion’’ (which are completely absurd by the way) and it really distracts me from praying, reading the Bible and even my studies.

I try to focus on the tasks set ahead before me but I just can’t seem to because of #3, to top it off, there is just so much to do: I have IGCSEs this year, the real one in fact; IB next 2 years; then university and so forth.

But I keep hearing news such as World War 3 possibly about to start soon and if Jesus were to come now, boy I wouldn’t be ready one single bit. I want to take my spiritual life seriously, but I also seem to want to do well in my studies and I can’t balance out both. This is probably a pride issue but I always aim to achieve the best scores for my exams as it makes me feel good about myself (is this a mortal sin though??)

Though sometimes I have thoughts like ‘‘I should purposely fail this test to practice humility’’ which i usually don’t give in to but yeah.

Also, regarding #3, should I go to a psychiatrist or a priest with skills in psychology to help me with my state? Or should I just pray to God and trust Him without consulting any of these?

Thanks and God bless 🙂
Click to expand...
3 things:

  1. *]See a physcian or therapist about your thoughts
    *]See your confessor about sin and scruples regarding sin
    *]Stay off YouTube about conspiracy things and that type of thing

    Praying for you.
 
ResoluteSheep said:
I’m currently in high school doing my IGCSEs in 2 weeks, and so far my spiritual life has been rather dead and I’ve been travelling along a lukewarm road; seemingly content with my spiritual condition.

I have quite a few things to balance out:
  1. My spiritual life
  2. My studies
  3. My mental condition
  4. The house (it’s really messy)
For #3, it’s not really a mental illness (I think) though I tend to believe everything negative that comes into my head without question; even stuff like ‘‘if you close your textbook, you can save lives from being destroyed by an explosion’’ (which are completely absurd by the way) and it really distracts me from praying, reading the Bible and even my studies.

I try to focus on the tasks set ahead before me but I just can’t seem to because of #3, to top it off, there is just so much to do: I have IGCSEs this year, the real one in fact; IB next 2 years; then university and so forth.

But I keep hearing news such as World War 3 possibly about to start soon and if Jesus were to come now, boy I wouldn’t be ready one single bit. I want to take my spiritual life seriously, but I also seem to want to do well in my studies and I can’t balance out both. This is probably a pride issue but I always aim to achieve the best scores for my exams as it makes me feel good about myself (is this a mortal sin though??)

Though sometimes I have thoughts like ‘‘I should purposely fail this test to practice humility’’ which i usually don’t give in to but yeah.

Also, regarding #3, should I go to a psychiatrist or a priest with skills in psychology to help me with my state? Or should I just pray to God and trust Him without consulting any of these?

Thanks and God bless 🙂
Click to expand...
yes, meeting with a priest certainly couldn’t hurt

it’s not either or, you can give glory to God in your dialy activities. He gives everyone specific gifts and talents for a reason

purposely failing a test would not be true humility, by the way. God expects us to put forth our best effort in our daily tasks, whatever those might be

if you want other opportunities to serve, is there a school club you could join? some ministry at your parish? or even something more informal that you could do with a group of friends?

prayer is important, ask God to help you with your struggles
 
Worrying and/or sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong will derail you. It sounds like you have an active imagination, there’s nothing wrong with that, but stay focused when you need to, and direct your mind to prayer in your leisure time. That will help you be able to focus when you need to.

Why are you concerned with a messy house? Keep your own space clean and organized first.

Get good grades because it helps you in life, not because you like to feel good about yourself. It’s fine to feel good about accomplishments, we are human, but don’t let it be the driving factor.

Some people have thoughts about whether or not we are in WWIII, it doesn’t really matter what you call the war on terror, it doesn’t change whats happening. Which, BTW, should be no concern of yours unless you join the service, or are voting.
 
ResoluteSheep said:
I’m currently in high school doing my IGCSEs in 2 weeks, and so far my spiritual life has been rather dead and I’ve been travelling along a lukewarm road; seemingly content with my spiritual condition.

I have quite a few things to balance out:
  1. My spiritual life
  2. My studies
  3. My mental condition
  4. The house (it’s really messy)
For #3, it’s not really a mental illness (I think) though I tend to believe everything negative that comes into my head without question; even stuff like ‘‘if you close your textbook, you can save lives from being destroyed by an explosion’’ (which are completely absurd by the way) and it really distracts me from praying, reading the Bible and even my studies.

I try to focus on the tasks set ahead before me but I just can’t seem to because of #3, to top it off, there is just so much to do: I have IGCSEs this year, the real one in fact; IB next 2 years; then university and so forth.

But I keep hearing news such as World War 3 possibly about to start soon and if Jesus were to come now, boy I wouldn’t be ready one single bit. I want to take my spiritual life seriously, but I also seem to want to do well in my studies and I can’t balance out both. This is probably a pride issue but I always aim to achieve the best scores for my exams as it makes me feel good about myself (is this a mortal sin though??)

Though sometimes I have thoughts like ‘‘I should purposely fail this test to practice humility’’ which i usually don’t give in to but yeah.

Also, regarding #3, should I go to a psychiatrist or a priest with skills in psychology to help me with my state? Or should I just pray to God and trust Him without consulting any of these?

Thanks and God bless 🙂
Click to expand...
About the closing the textbook to save lives, try your best to ignore that voice that’s giving these things. If they come around, I promise that they are not from God, so just don’t obey them. If you do obey them, it’s not a sin, just continue trying to ignore them.

Offer up your school work and studies for tests for God’s greater glory, and when you do well on a test, say a short prayer of thanksgiving for your good grade, instead of feeling guilty. I can tell that you are a smart person, and scrupulosity is diminishing your academic work.

As for seeing a therapist, why not both pray and ask your priest if he knows any good counsellors? He will help you, and you will overcome your mental and spiritual problems.

See this small document about scruples:
olmcfssp.org/cms/images/uploads/Scrupulosity_7.15_.12_.pdf
All the best
 
ResoluteSheep said:
I’m currently in high school doing my IGCSEs in 2 weeks, and so far my spiritual life has been rather dead and I’ve been travelling along a lukewarm road; seemingly content with my spiritual condition.
Click to expand...
I cannot help with the other issues per lack of experience. However, as a fellow (I, too, am in high school; new for me), keep praying frequently. God wants to have a relationship with you; try your best and rekindle the flame of your desire for God! You might even want to ask someone to pray for you (whether a saint or a living person).

Blessings to you, Resolute.
 
ResoluteSheep said:
I’m currently in high school doing my IGCSEs in 2 weeks, and so far my spiritual life has been rather dead and I’ve been travelling along a lukewarm road; seemingly content with my spiritual condition.

I have quite a few things to balance out:
  1. My spiritual life
  2. My studies
  3. My mental condition
  4. The house (it’s really messy)
For #3, it’s not really a mental illness (I think) though I tend to believe everything negative that comes into my head without question; even stuff like ‘‘if you close your textbook, you can save lives from being destroyed by an explosion’’ (which are completely absurd by the way) and it really distracts me from praying, reading the Bible and even my studies.

I try to focus on the tasks set ahead before me but I just can’t seem to because of #3, to top it off, there is just so much to do: I have IGCSEs this year, the real one in fact; IB next 2 years; then university and so forth.

But I keep hearing news such as World War 3 possibly about to start soon and if Jesus were to come now, boy I wouldn’t be ready one single bit. I want to take my spiritual life seriously, but I also seem to want to do well in my studies and I can’t balance out both. This is probably a pride issue but I always aim to achieve the best scores for my exams as it makes me feel good about myself (is this a mortal sin though??)

Though sometimes I have thoughts like ‘‘I should purposely fail this test to practice humility’’ which i usually don’t give in to but yeah.

Also, regarding #3, should I go to a psychiatrist or a priest with skills in psychology to help me with my state? Or should I just pray to God and trust Him without consulting any of these?

Thanks and God bless 🙂
Click to expand...
Number one, whatever God has placed in your life now, is His plan for you,

Such as: your work (studies, chores at home, etc)
Work.does have to be given the first place in actions because study or work is what puts bread on the table now, or in the future. Also, your work is your special mission on earth.

Number two, the people in your life were given to you to be good towards and help, and be helped by them. Such as your family, relatives, friends, teachers, colleagues, neighbours,

Number three:
Your talents were given to you by God, to be used, whether it be art, music, singing, sport, running, acting, etc… Your gifts help you find God on earth and help others in a special way through those gifts.

Number four: prayer must never be neglected at the end or before a day starts, minimum 4 mins prayer, but 20 or 30mins would be great each day. (While living a life keeping all the Commandments and staying in a state of grace).

The Holy Spirit according to St Ignatius is all about balance. Doing all things above for God.
 
If you’re serious about serving God, check out the National Volunteer Caregiving Network…the local affiliate here is Faith in Action, and volunteers of all ages are both welcome and needed.
 
Failing tests deliberately is a sin.

Our Lady told St John Bosco, that it was a sin for the boys in his orphanage to deliberately not do their school work or study,

All the saints who had the gift of learning academically studied as best they could.
All the priest saints had to study through seminary to become priests.
St Thomas Aquinas was one of the most intelligent (bookwise) saints that we know of.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen was famous from speaking on TV and he had a library of hundreds of books.
God wants you to learn and study well. 🙂

But also to enjoy your hobbies, talents, social life and prayer. 🙂

Start off small,
Just as an example (maybe not a good example 🙂
Eg: 4 mins prayer each day,
1 hr study,
30mins for a hobby/ pastime,
 
Ignore any negative thoughts completely.
A lot of negative thoughts are just the evil spirits trying to distract you from doing your normal earthly mission that you are meant to do well each day, such as study, work, hobbies, family time, social time, rest etc… (A balanced person is happy. The Holy Spirit is about balance, take away any of these things and it is like cutting a leg off a chair, the chair will not stand and will become unstable. God wants people to be balanced to be happy).

St Ignatius of Loyola wrote that if satan cannot tempt a person to sin, he will tempt them to become unbalanced, eg: work too hard, not take rests, give up hobbies, not study, to try to be a saint in an unbalanced way (so as to cause them to become tired, worn down, and not be able to complete all the things in their ordinary earthly mission daily).

Our Lady said, anyone who lives an ordinary peaceful Holy life can become a saint. You don’t have to do anything extraordinary, you only have to do your usual ordinary daily things with love of God (while of course praying a little each day, being a good Catholic, staying in a state of grace. Etc

If you mention those thoughts to a priest in confession:
Jesus told St Faustina, decide to say temptations in confession and immediately those temptations will lose their sting. And when you actually say those temptations in confession, Satan will lose his power in those temptations towards you.
If you use faith, you can gain victory over those temptations right now,
Believing, “Those thoughts are not balanced, are not from the Holy Spirit. Begone satan in Jesus Name.”

Did you know Catholics are forbidden from believing their own personal private Revelations (inspirations etc) unless approved of from a priest or bishop in confession., because those thoughts could be coming from satan, or their own mind, and not from God.
 
The Christian spiritual life and academic life are not in conflict, they complement each other.

Is the world going to end soon? The Bible tells us that we know not the time, so there is no point at all in speculating. We should always strive to stay close to God, in any case.

Do you perhaps have something like clinical depression? That is something to ask your doctor or a professional therapist. They are trained in screening for such issues.
 
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