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theCardinalbird
Guest
I don’t know why, but I feel like I am losing my faith. I don’t know what to do. I feel anxious and sad and really worried. What should I do?
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adgloriam
Guest
What is Faith?
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theCardinalbird
Guest
Belief in something or someone
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John10
Guest
Hang in there, no need to despair, everything is possible with God.
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set out to remedying them. Every day begin the task anew.” -St. Francis de Sales
Only those condemned in Hell are truly lost, everybody else still has a chance no matter what your circumstances are.
Maybe the following book might be helpful
Title: The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times
Author: Dom Jean-Charles Nault O.S.B.
The noonday devil is the demon of acedia, the vice also known as sloth. The word “sloth”, however, can be misleading, for acedia is not laziness; in fact it can manifest as busyness or activism. Rather, acedia is a gloomy combination of weariness, sadness, and a lack of purposefulness. It robs a person of his capacity for joy and leaves him feeling empty, or void of meaning
Abbot Nault says that acedia is the most oppressive of demons. Although its name harkens back to antiquity and the Middle Ages, and seems to have been largely forgotten, acedia is experienced by countless modern people who describe their condition as depression, melancholy, burn-out, or even mid-life crisis.
He begins his study of acedia by tracing the wisdom of the Church on the subject from the Desert Fathers to Saint Thomas Aquinas. He shows how acedia afflicts persons in all states of life― priests, religious, and married or single laymen. He details not only the symptoms and effects of acedia, but also remedies for it.
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set out to remedying them. Every day begin the task anew.” -St. Francis de Sales
Only those condemned in Hell are truly lost, everybody else still has a chance no matter what your circumstances are.
Maybe the following book might be helpful
Title: The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times
Author: Dom Jean-Charles Nault O.S.B.
The noonday devil is the demon of acedia, the vice also known as sloth. The word “sloth”, however, can be misleading, for acedia is not laziness; in fact it can manifest as busyness or activism. Rather, acedia is a gloomy combination of weariness, sadness, and a lack of purposefulness. It robs a person of his capacity for joy and leaves him feeling empty, or void of meaning
Abbot Nault says that acedia is the most oppressive of demons. Although its name harkens back to antiquity and the Middle Ages, and seems to have been largely forgotten, acedia is experienced by countless modern people who describe their condition as depression, melancholy, burn-out, or even mid-life crisis.
He begins his study of acedia by tracing the wisdom of the Church on the subject from the Desert Fathers to Saint Thomas Aquinas. He shows how acedia afflicts persons in all states of life― priests, religious, and married or single laymen. He details not only the symptoms and effects of acedia, but also remedies for it.
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CRV
Guest
PRAY! Lord I believe, help my unbelief!
Sorry, have to edit as hit the wrong key …
Perhaps you are going through a period of dryness? God permits these to test our faithfulness. Hang in there, use your will to continue to pray, go to Mass, do all the usual spiritual exerices you would normally do, and persevere through this dark time.
God sends trials to those He loves. He does love you, and is perhaps stretching you in order to help you grow in your Faith and Hope.
I’ll pray for you.
Sorry, have to edit as hit the wrong key …
Perhaps you are going through a period of dryness? God permits these to test our faithfulness. Hang in there, use your will to continue to pray, go to Mass, do all the usual spiritual exerices you would normally do, and persevere through this dark time.
God sends trials to those He loves. He does love you, and is perhaps stretching you in order to help you grow in your Faith and Hope.
I’ll pray for you.
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Irishmom2
Guest
I am not asking you to answer these here, just questions to ask yourself.
Are you still going to mass? Reconciliation?
Ask yourself what is different. New friends, new interests that are negatively influencing you?
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0Scarlett_nidiyilii
Guest
I’ll remember you in my prayers.
The spiritual life can be really hard
The spiritual life can be really hard
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PetraG
Guest
Pray first, because ups and downs in mood towards the things we love are normal but lows that shake the foundation of our relationships shouldn’t be ignored.
Other than that, consider where the anxiety and sadness are coming from. Look into self-care methods for anxiety, self-awareness about the sadness, talk to friends, and so on. If necessary, seek professional help.
You’re not alone. This happens. Resigning yourself to your mood as if it were reality is not a good idea.
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StephieNorthCo
Guest
You are in my prayers. Keep plugging away. Sometimes obstacles are put there for a reason. It is only later that you will discover what that reason is.
God bless,
God bless,
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Dan_Defender
Guest
Faith is a gift. Open your heart to God and pray for this gift with humility.
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Vico
Guest
“The basic motive of all faith is the authority (or right to be believed) of someone who is speaking.” – Modern Catholic Dictionary
Are you doubting the authority of the Catholic Church?
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Mtatum1958
Guest
Pray through the tough and dry times, it’s not all about feeling.
Look at what might be pulling you away; school, work, friends.
Look to what might give you strength and guidance; aCatholic center, parish, priest, someone to confide in.
You are in my prayers.
Look at what might be pulling you away; school, work, friends.
Look to what might give you strength and guidance; aCatholic center, parish, priest, someone to confide in.
You are in my prayers.
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theCardinalbird
Guest
For some reason I am finding it hard to believe in God at the moment. I’m trying to understand where this is coming from. It’s caused so much distress and confusion for me. Christ has every right to be believed, so I don’t know what my deal is
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Irishmom2
Guest
Perhaps you feel that God is denying you some aspect of happiness in your life and you think if you do not believe in him, you are free to do as you please.
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theCardinalbird
Guest
Wow. That really feels like a possibility. But I don’t know. Perhaps the devil is trying to make me not believe because I am trying to live my faith
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Irishmom2
Guest
That might be a possibility. But to seek what we want, (even if God says it is not for us) because we now say we don’t believe in God, might fool other people, but not God. I don’t believe you would actually be any happier because of that.
If you still haven’t spoken to your priest, you really should do that.
If you still haven’t spoken to your priest, you really should do that.
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theCardinalbird
Guest
I have spoken to a priest. I’m speaking to another on Tuesday
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StephieNorthCo
Guest
Good plan. Priests can help much more than you would think.
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la_petit_fleur
Guest
These are all good responses. Another factor may be that God is sometimes hidden and our minds cannot comprehend the great Mysteries of God. When Jesus was here as a man, people doubted His Divinity. In the Mass, people doubt His humanity and Divinity. When there is suffering or evil, people doubt there is a God. This is so when we exercise our faith and put in the work and will to love God, despite our doubts, it is very pleasing to Him. I believe Lord, help my unbelief is a pleasing prayer to Him.
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Eric_Hyom
Guest
If you still believe in Christ then all is not lost. Christ died for you and for me, that means he must love us as he loves himself.Christ has every right to be believed, so I don’t know what my deal is
I believe that in Mathew 25, it tells us how we can love God - Christ;
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
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