Indifference towards God -- advice needed

[coolduude]

Hey, that’s one question I have – like how exactly does it work, talking to the priest about your sins? It was kind of different for me this time because we were already talking about a lot of stuff before the actual confession, since that wasn’t really the point of the meeting originally. So can you just ask about things afterwards? Sorry if it’s a stupid question – I’m really new to this.

I would say something along the lines of “Something I didn’t bring up before was [insert past sins here]”
One time I just said “Father, I have a question. [Short silence]. Why do we hold hands during the Our Father?” It was easy as that

One other question – are “bad” thoughts related to God considered mortal sins? Actually, I’ve been doing better in some ways since going to Confession; today I resisted a temptation I haven’t been able to resist in months. But I’m curious about that…

You’ll have to elaborate on the ‘bad thoughts’. Sorry

 

[lefty22]

Ok, that helps, thanks… I just wasn’t sure if you could just ask random questions in Confession. Because I have a lot of questions. Also, the priest said something to me about he couldn’t bring up my sins outside of the actual confession, but I could if I wanted to talk to him about them. How does that work exactly? Like if I confess a certain sin, I have to be the one to bring it up to talk about afterwards? Seems kind of self-explanatory, so I was just wondering if I’m missing something.

Eh, sorry – I would have elaborated, but I was fighting off those thoughts as I typed, so I didn’t want to really feed them at all. What I mean is blaspheming God in your head. Completely unwanted thoughts that just pop in and you try to shove away, but they like to take up a little corner. So something like “I hate God,” though it’s obviously not true. Is that a mortal sin?

 

[baltobetsy]

Ok, that helps, thanks… I just wasn’t sure if you could just ask random questions in Confession. Because I have a lot of questions. Also, the priest said something to me about he couldn’t bring up my sins outside of the actual confession, but I could if I wanted to talk to him about them. How does that work exactly? Like if I confess a certain sin, I have to be the one to bring it up to talk about afterwards? Seems kind of self-explanatory, so I was just wondering if I’m missing something.

Eh, sorry – I would have elaborated, but I was fighting off those thoughts as I typed, so I didn’t want to really feed them at all. What I mean is blaspheming God in your head. Completely unwanted thoughts that just pop in and you try to shove away, but they like to take up a little corner. So something like “I hate God,” though it’s obviously not true. Is that a mortal sin?

When I want to talk something over with the priest after confession, I usually say, “Can I ask a question?” Then we talk about whatever it is - he doesn’t seem to mind at all.

Not being able to bring up your sins after you confess them is called the Seal of Confession. The priest may never mention your sins to anyone, ever, even if he is threatened with prosecution or even death. You can safely tell him anything.

 

[simple_soul]

Trust me, you did not fail. God appreciates your commitment, perseverance, and sincerity. He appreciates the effort. You did not fail.

Your priest sounds like a good one. Go to him if you have questions or are seeking encouragement. Come here too, to CAF, where you’ll always find prayers and a helping hand

*Hi Lefty,

Just wanted to let you know I second what cooldude said here.

I apologize for not leaving a note sooner but my time on the computer has been very limited the last couple of days.

But I am very thankful to read that things are off to a good start…

With my continued prayers…

 

[lefty22]

Thanks so much for all your support! I’m feeling really confused, but on the whole, much better.

 

[Lief_Erikson]

Eh, sorry – I would have elaborated, but I was fighting off those thoughts as I typed, so I didn’t want to really feed them at all. What I mean is blaspheming God in your head. Completely unwanted thoughts that just pop in and you try to shove away, but they like to take up a little corner. So something like “I hate God,” though it’s obviously not true. Is that a mortal sin?

A mortal sin is when an impure (or blasphemous) thought comes into your mind and you deliberately keep it in your mind and enjoy its presence.

A thought you take no (or very little) pleasure in, and are not deliberately dwelling on, is not a mortal sin.

Sometimes a bad thought enters our head and we don’t want it, because we want to be pure to God, so we resist it and it actually causes us suffering that the evil thought is there. Because we don’t want it.

This brings glory to God.

When we fight an interior battle for God’s sake, we are showing Him that we love Him, and He draws us closer to Him through the fight.

By the way, the reason you are feeling a good deal better now, more at peace and more able to pray, is that you took the Sacrament of Confession. God gives us grace in the Confessional to help us to resist sin in the future, and to grow in Him. You are experiencing His presence in your life because of the sacrament!

coolduude is right that praying the rosary and frequently trying to draw close to God will keep you safe. There may be slip-ups, falls, but God will help you, and perseverance is the key. The Lord will see you through.