I used to be very Religious.. Now I have a problem

[ChristopherG]

This may or may not be the right place for this. (If it is not can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!)

 So I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church.  I was always very active in the church and thought I had developed quite a strong faith.  Traveled the world in search of faith attending world youth days.  Was a member of my churches youth group and eventually assisted as a young man helping out as a leader.  

 One day I just..  Grew away from the church and severed all ties I guess..  My job moves me around alot, I simply grew away.

 Over time after growing away from the church I also have grown away from some of the churches practices.   I have a girlfriend now, we are not married but live together.  No doubt I am guilty of breaking some of the seven deadly sins.  I do not lead a model life anymore. And quite frankly the last thing on my busy mind has been.. Religion.

 Two nights ago I woke up just after three, with my girlfriend moving around in bed next to me.  She was speaking, quite loudly I might add, in several very... Violent sounding voices. When I could understand the English parts, it was about smashing and breaking furniture. 

I was scared, so I shoot her and asked her what she was doing.  She nonchalantly responded that she was fighting.  I asked her what.  She said she was fighting the "devil incarnate"   ..Then just went back to sleep.  Quite shaken I made my way out of bed and downstairs, turning all the lights on and looking for a bible (I still have a few in the house).  And just sat downstairs praying untill the morning.  I've had trouble sleeping since. 

I am not certain if this is a "good" reason to go back to church, but I am going to return regularly now and try to get my life on track. I just do not want to go and show up for the first time at the church here talking about.. Demons and devils scaring me through my girlfriend.  I am uncertain what to do here, I am afraid.

 

[buffalo]

Catholics Come Home

 

[Ultima_Ratio]

I am not certain if this is a “good” reason to go back to church, but I am going to return regularly now and try to get my life on track. I just do not want to go and show up for the first time at the church here talking about… Demons and devils scaring me through my girlfriend. I am uncertain what to do here, I am afraid.

The first thing to do is go to confession. In this day, it is very easy to fall away. I was just reading the conversion story of Roy Shoeman, and he tells of an interesting experience he had. He was a non-practicing Jew at the time. He was walking along the beach when he was immediately in the presence of God. In an instant, he saw his entire life - both how he had offended God and how he had pleased God. He saw that all the events in his life, especially the bad ones, were planned and perfectly ordered to his life by God for the good of his soul.

I would say this experience of yours was a wake up call from God. God does not want you to go to hell. He died for you, and He wants you to return to Him. Go to confession as soon as possible (today), and return to Church. I would say this is the message for you.

Regarding the fear that you are experiencing: Look up the “rules for discerning the spirits” by St. Ignatius. They were given directly to him by the Blessed Mother, and are available online. Read the “rules for the first week”, and you will see the effect the good angel (and God Himself) has on a person who is not living as they should. It will probably be similar to your experience.

So, be encouraged and realize that, although you may have temporarily abandoned God, He did not abandon you. Thank Him for this grace and make the most of it. God Bless.

 

[Kay_Cee]

This may or may not be the right place for this. (If it is not can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!)

So I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. I was always very active in the church and thought I had developed quite a strong faith. Traveled the world in search of faith attending world youth days. Was a member of my churches youth group and eventually assisted as a young man helping out as a leader.

One day I just… Grew away from the church and severed all ties I guess… My job moves me around alot, I simply grew away.

Over time after growing away from the church I also have grown away from some of the churches practices. I have a girlfriend now, we are not married but live together. No doubt I am guilty of breaking some of the seven deadly sins. I do not lead a model life anymore. And quite frankly the last thing on my busy mind has been… Religion.

This happens to a lot of people. It’s easy to drift away. The good thing is that you recognize it.

Two nights ago I woke up just after three, with my girlfriend moving around in bed next to me. She was speaking, quite loudly I might add, in several very… Violent sounding voices. When I could understand the English parts, it was about smashing and breaking furniture.

I was scared, so I shoot her and asked her what she was doing. She nonchalantly responded that she was fighting. I asked her what. She said she was fighting the “devil incarnate” …Then just went back to sleep. Quite shaken I made my way out of bed and downstairs, turning all the lights on and looking for a bible (I still have a few in the house). And just sat downstairs praying untill the morning. I’ve had trouble sleeping since.

I am not certain if this is a “good” reason to go back to church,

I don’t know if there can be a bad reason for returning to the Church, since it is the very Body of Christ (Colossians 1:24) and the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

but I am going to return regularly now and try to get my life on track.

Good for you! This is something all of us need to work on.

I just do not want to go and show up for the first time at the church here talking about… Demons and devils scaring me through my girlfriend. I am uncertain what to do here, I am afraid.

If I were you, I would ask myself ***why ***this experience happened. Perhaps God is waking you up to the very real presence of evil. At any rate, you should definitely talk to a priest. Since, as you say, you have sinned, the best place to start is in the confessional. (You will, however, need to do something about living with your girlfriend.) The priest can also bless your house.

Whether this was an actual demonic attack or not, the good thing is that it is prompting you to get your life back on track.

 

[Heliotropium]

This may or may not be the right place for this. (If it is not can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!) So I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. I was always very active in the church and thought I had developed quite a strong faith. Traveled the world in search of faith attending world youth days. Was a member of my churches youth group and eventually assisted as a young man helping out as a leader. One day I just… Grew away from the church and severed all ties I guess… My job moves me around alot, I simply grew away. Over time after growing away from the church I also have grown away from some of the churches practices. I have a girlfriend now, we are not married but live together. No doubt I am guilty of breaking some of the seven deadly sins. I do not lead a model life anymore. And quite frankly the last thing on my busy mind has been… Religion. Two nights ago I woke up just after three, with my girlfriend moving around in bed next to me. She was speaking, quite loudly I might add, in several very… Violent sounding voices. When I could understand the English parts, it was about smashing and breaking furniture. I was scared, so I shoot her and asked her what she was doing. She nonchalantly responded that she was fighting. I asked her what. She said she was fighting the “devil incarnate” …Then just went back to sleep. Quite shaken I made my way out of bed and downstairs, turning all the lights on and looking for a bible (I still have a few in the house). And just sat downstairs praying untill the morning. I’ve had trouble sleeping since. I am not certain if this is a “good” reason to go back to church, but I am going to return regularly now and try to get my life on track. I just do not want to go and show up for the first time at the church here talking about… Demons and devils scaring me through my girlfriend. I am uncertain what to do here, I am afraid.

Hello Christopher,

In

 

[manualman]

Please do realize that the catholic faith is not a checklist on a card which you need to complete in order to be rewarded. It is a relationship with the living God, through His son Jesus Christ made present to us here on earth in the sacraments.

Your post suggests that you may have ALWAYS been missing out on what God wants for us: our hearts and souls. By all means, go to confession, go to communion, make an honest man of yourself with the girlfriend. But don’t stop there. Pray and listen in silence. Get to know God. Peace and Joy will follow.

Welcome home.

 

[terrysa]

Don’t worry. God is merciful. He would not have sent His son to die for us if He was not. Jesus said he came to heal sinners, not for those already well. No matter who you are or what you have done, he will welcome His prodigal son with open arms. Offer even this fear up to Him as a penance and watch the devils flee…

Above all, trust in Him who loves you.

 

[Heliotropium]

@OP

Don’t be afraid to come back because of demons, and hell. God uses many different ways to bring us back depending on how lost we are and how far we are from Christ. God methods are perfect and we can see that from your post since this experience has allowed you to see the importance of your faith, and the salvation of your soul. I relate to your story since my life started in the Catholic faith, the fell away, and after much searching have come back to the Catholic faith. One thing I noticed after reading much about Divine providence and the will of God, is that He uses many different ways to bring us to Him and that sometimes His permitting will allows us to destroy ourselves in order for us to realize that without Him we are truly lost, and our souls in grave danger. Come back and don’t be afraid for why. Frequent the sacraments, bless your house, and most importantly try and struggle to live a life free of sin.

 

[bpbasilphx]

\ Please do realize that the catholic faith is not a checklist on a card which you need to complete in order to be rewarded.\

**Very good point!

As far as your girlfriend, it simply sounds like she was having a bad dream–and possibly RLS (restless leg syndrome).**

 

[Claire_from_DE]

\ Please do realize that the catholic faith is not a checklist on a card which you need to complete in order to be rewarded.\

**Very good point!

As far as your girlfriend, it simply sounds like she was having a bad dream–and possibly RLS (restless leg syndrome).**

And even so, God can use even that to awaken our conscience. Satan is real, and even if this wasn’t a demonic attack, the OP knew where to flee for protection. And now that the Lord has his attention, He wants to offer him so much more than just protection. Like His guidance, grace and friendship now, and eternal life. For him and his girlfriend. God keeps calling us.

“IF TODAY YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART.”

 

[Catholic1954]

This may or may not be the right place for this. (If it is not can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!)

 So I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church.  I was always very active in the church and thought I had developed quite a strong faith.  Traveled the world in search of faith attending world youth days.  Was a member of my churches youth group and eventually assisted as a young man helping out as a leader.  

 One day I just..  Grew away from the church and severed all ties I guess..  My job moves me around alot, I simply grew away.

 Over time after growing away from the church I also have grown away from some of the churches practices.   I have a girlfriend now, we are not married but live together.  No doubt I am guilty of breaking some of the seven deadly sins.  I do not lead a model life anymore. And quite frankly the last thing on my busy mind has been.. Religion.

 Two nights ago I woke up just after three, with my girlfriend moving around in bed next to me.  She was speaking, quite loudly I might add, in several very... Violent sounding voices. When I could understand the English parts, it was about smashing and breaking furniture. 

I was scared, so I shoot her and asked her what she was doing.  She nonchalantly responded that she was fighting.  I asked her what.  She said she was fighting the "devil incarnate"   ..Then just went back to sleep.  Quite shaken I made my way out of bed and downstairs, turning all the lights on and looking for a bible (I still have a few in the house).  And just sat downstairs praying untill the morning.  I've had trouble sleeping since. 

I am not certain if this is a "good" reason to go back to church, but I am going to return regularly now and try to get my life on track. I just do not want to go and show up for the first time at the church here talking about.. Demons and devils scaring me through my girlfriend.  I am uncertain what to do here, I am afraid.

Welcome Home! Don’t be afraid, the Holy Spirit is calling you back to the Catholic Church. Call the parish office and make an appointment with a priest; you need to go to confession as soon as possible, and maybe start attending the RCIA, just to get back in touch with the faith. It is unclear where you girlfriend stands in all of this, but you should seriously start thinking of moving out.

 

[Musician]

We miss you! Come home!

 

[blaskoman]

Step 1: stop fornicating with your girlfriend. You will have to make arrangements for one or the other to find a new place.

Step 2: Prepare yourself with a good examination of conscience to make a good Confession.

Step 3: Slowly start to incorporate daily prayer and reading of the Bible or other spiritual books into your life.

You got to make a start, it’s not going to be easy, but you have to make the effort.