Intrusive Thoughts

[lola5555]

At the beginning of the year, I prayed to God to be closer to Him (not that I didn’t feel close before, but I wanted to know God better). Silly, but to my amazement He answered my prayers. I’ve had many blessings since. I’ve understood Him better, prayed the rosary a lot more, felt calmer, had a clearer vision of what He wants from me, etc. I’m so grateful and it humbles me.

But since I started praying for this, I’ve noticed that I’ve had a lot of intrusive thoughts that frankly are kind of stupid. The thoughts all center on doubting God, such as reading/hearing about Jesus and then a thought like, “If there really even is a Jesus” pops in my head. It feels quite external, if that makes sense. These thoughts bother me, but they don’t hold any intellectual weight. Lately, I’ve had a feeling of being, idk, the best way I can describe it is incensed by things in the Bible, such as different roles of men and women. But the weird thing is I’ve heard these Bible verses since I was a kid, never been incensed by them, and agree with what the Bible is saying. But just this weird emotion comes up.

I know intrusive thoughts are normal and common. But since they’ve been coming up lately only since I’ve been closer to God they do feel like attacks from Satan-- a ploy to divide me and tire me spiritually. But maybe that’s being a bit dramatic. Anyone experienced this type of thing? Suggestions? I just keep praying about it.

 

[Bookcat]

It is difficult to say as to the source. But just do not pay them any attention…

More in this sort of thing is gained by “flight” than “fight”.

 

[Bookcat]

All sorts of thoughts can happen to us out of the blue…

The fact that a though happened to one- does not mean per se there was any sin.

And for mortal sin one needs not only grave matter, but full knowledge and deliberate (complete) consent…

(And some need some medical/professional assistance in this area…such as medication etc and often a regular confessor )​

Now…

For the next few moments --try real hard NOT to think of an Apple.

then scroll down.

What did you think of?

An apple.

Even though your will was against it -you did not want to think of an apple.

Now back to unwanted thoughts…

The best thing to do with such thoughts is not to fight them directly --not fear that they will come—simply do not consent and simply and calmly turn to something else…(or it may be best to keep doing the good thing one is doing…like they come out of the blue when your at work …keep working …etc)

(one can gently - conversi ad Dominum - turn towards the Lord -perhaps with a look of love or a short prayer which is a very ancient practice - pm me if you if you need more).

Ignore such unwanted thoughts like one would ignore a hissing goose or a barking dog. One does not stop to argue with a hissing goose or a barking dog does one? No one keeps on walking…and at most laughs at them…

(as noted above the image there comes from a Carthusian Monk from centuries ago…)

 

[tawny]

At the beginning of the year, I prayed to God to be closer to Him (not that I didn’t feel close before, but I wanted to know God better). Silly, but to my amazement He answered my prayers. I’ve had many blessings since. I’ve understood Him better, prayed the rosary a lot more, felt calmer, had a clearer vision of what He wants from me, etc. I’m so grateful and it humbles me.

But since I started praying for this, I’ve noticed that I’ve had a lot of intrusive thoughts that frankly are kind of stupid. The thoughts all center on doubting God, such as reading/hearing about Jesus and then a thought like, “If there really even is a Jesus” pops in my head. It feels quite external, if that makes sense. These thoughts bother me, but they don’t hold any intellectual weight. Lately, I’ve had a feeling of being, idk, the best way I can describe it is incensed by things in the Bible, such as different roles of men and women. But the weird thing is I’ve heard these Bible verses since I was a kid, never been incensed by them, and agree with what the Bible is saying. But just this weird emotion comes up.

I know intrusive thoughts are normal and common. But since they’ve been coming up lately only since I’ve been closer to God they do feel like attacks from Satan-- a ploy to divide me and tire me spiritually. But maybe that’s being a bit dramatic. Anyone experienced this type of thing? Suggestions? I just keep praying about it.

Praying for your intentions.

 

[littlestsouls2]

Intrusive thoughts often serve as a means of sanctification. When a soul is generously progressing through the “purgative way”, for example, God may allow her to undergo temptations that try her patience, so as to increase her humility, self-knowledge, trust in God etc. Ultimately, God permits everything for our greater good, and unwanted thoughts are no exception.

Here is what Our Lord said to St. Bridget about unwanted thoughts: “In order that man may understand his own weakness, and the strength he receives from Me, it is necessary that he should sometimes be allowed to be attacked by evil thoughts; and if he consents not to them, they become the purification of his mind, and the safeguard of his virtues. And although they are hard to be borne, they heal the soul, and conduct it to eternal life, which cannot be gained without sufferings. The soul should, therefore, labour diligently, lest it consent to them, or take any pleasure in them.” (p. 237, ‘Spiritual Works of Louis of Blois’)

And here are some consoling words of Our Lady to St. Bridget: “The devil with malicious watchfulness seeks to hinder the good from praying. But do thou, daughter, whatever temptation may assail thee in prayer, persist in thy desire or good will, and in thy holy endeavours, as best thou canst; because thy pious desires and endeavours will be reputed as effectual prayer. Even if thou art not able to cast out the base and evil thoughts that come into thy mind, yet for those endeavours thon shalt receive a crown in heaven; thus these troubles will profit thee, provided thou consentest not to the temptation, but art displeased with whatever is unbecoming.” (pp. 226 –227, ‘Spiritual Works of Louis of Blois’)

Bl. Henry Suso gives the following advice regarding such temptations: “… even if a man had as many suggestions of evil coming into the mind as there are moments in the day, and even if these imaginations were more foul than the heart of man could conceive or his tongue express, whether these images were of God Himself or any of His creatures, and even if the man remained thus afflicted for one or even for many years, against his will, he would not sin, if only, during all this time, his reason had a hatred, displeasure and aversion to such things. In this case he would never have consented to them with full deliberation and entire will, but rather resisted; although his nature is troubled by these things, he would by no means have sinned mortally.”

 

[fred_conty]

At the beginning of the year, I prayed to God to be closer to Him (not that I didn’t feel close before, but I wanted to know God better). Silly, but to my amazement He answered my prayers. I’ve had many blessings since. I’ve understood Him better, prayed the rosary a lot more, felt calmer, had a clearer vision of what He wants from me, etc. I’m so grateful and it humbles me.

But since I started praying for this, I’ve noticed that I’ve had a lot of intrusive thoughts that frankly are kind of stupid. The thoughts all center on doubting God, such as reading/hearing about Jesus and then a thought like, “If there really even is a Jesus” pops in my head. It feels quite external, if that makes sense. These thoughts bother me, but they don’t hold any intellectual weight. Lately, I’ve had a feeling of being, idk, the best way I can describe it is incensed by things in the Bible, such as different roles of men and women. But the weird thing is I’ve heard these Bible verses since I was a kid, never been incensed by them, and agree with what the Bible is saying. But just this weird emotion comes up.

I know intrusive thoughts are normal and common. But since they’ve been coming up lately only since I’ve been closer to God they do feel like attacks from Satan-- a ploy to divide me and tire me spiritually. But maybe that’s being a bit dramatic. Anyone experienced this type of thing? Suggestions? I just keep praying about it.

These are the temptations the saints valued because it was an opportunity to show God their complete love. Of course the devil does it to discourage you and make you think you are failing so you will be discouraged and give up. He will make you doubt yourself as well by tempting you to believe that you are an awful person to have such thoughts. But it is coming from him.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

[lola5555]

Thank you all for your insights and encouragement. This has helped me see this as a potential blessing and not something that I should give a lot of energy to if at all possible.

I will pray for patience and understanding. I know people struggle with these things. The reason for this struggle isn’t clear to me now, but I trust God.

Again, thank you! This was very helpful.