Is it hopeless?

[Michael19682]

I’ve become very discouraged. My recent experiences with prayer are becoming rarer. Though I always derive benefit from praying, it seems that I can’t pull myself up by my boot straps and really rely upon God to work in my favor as advocate, friend, and father. That may sound like an oxymoronic statement, stated boldly, but if I don’t do something for myself soon I think I might lose God altogether – though I “know” by faith that God is always with me.
I’ve made confession only to miss mass the next day because I felt helped enough by the absolution. Then I fall into the same pattern and am worse off than before, or so it seems.
I would describe myself as psychologically stable, able to reason, and aware of my difficulties.
Lastly, I suffer from a mental condition and I struggle to know if the ancient Gospel’s really believed these kinds of psychotic disorders to be demonic possession. My medication works very well, or, to be sure, something is working. Some would say that this fact alone disproves any notion of demonic possession in my particular case since things are not intractable. Yet the basic pattern Jesus spoke of : the evil spirit returning with seven spirits more evil than itself who find the person’s affairs swept clean, and then enter the person with troubles more severe than before is true for me.
While the troubles I struggle with are more normal, the pattern of a continuing downward spiral makes me believe that an evil spirit could be to blame.
As a result, I’m literally paralyzed at times with putting my affairs in order and “cleaning up” things or affairs that should be made orderly. I fear that once I get straightened out and organized in life, it will be then that my worst nightmare will occur – like a terminal diagnosis or some other tragedy.
Any spiritual advice would be appreciated.
(Obviously, I’ve been under professional care for some time now.)

 

[Dorothy]

I’ve become very discouraged. My recent experiences with prayer are becoming rarer. Though I always derive benefit from praying, it seems that I can’t pull myself up by my boot straps and really rely upon God to work in my favor as advocate, friend, and father. That may sound like an oxymoronic statement, stated boldly, but if I don’t do something for myself soon I think I might lose God altogether – though I “know” by faith that God is always with me.
I’ve made confession only to miss mass the next day because I felt helped enough by the absolution. Then I fall into the same pattern and am worse off than before, or so it seems.
I would describe myself as psychologically stable, able to reason, and aware of my difficulties.
Lastly, I suffer from a mental condition and I struggle to know if the ancient Gospel’s really believed these kinds of psychotic disorders to be demonic possession. My medication works very well, or, to be sure, something is working. Some would say that this fact alone disproves any notion of demonic possession in my particular case since things are not intractable. Yet the basic pattern Jesus spoke of : the evil spirit returning with seven spirits more evil than itself who find the person’s affairs swept clean, and then enter the person with troubles more severe than before is true for me.
While the troubles I struggle with are more normal, the pattern of a continuing downward spiral makes me believe that an evil spirit could be to blame.
As a result, I’m literally paralyzed at times with putting my affairs in order and “cleaning up” things or affairs that should be made orderly. I fear that once I get straightened out and organized in life, it will be then that my worst nightmare will occur – like a terminal diagnosis or some other tragedy.
Any spiritual advice would be appreciated.
(Obviously, I’ve been under professional care for some time now.)

Michael,

Nothing is hopeless unless we think it is. Perhaps call the Chancery Office and ask to speak to a spiritual director of your concerns. Pray for a gifted director.

Psychologists and helps such as that can go so far and no more, unless they are excellent. There is also such an association of Catholic therapists trained to treat the whole person.

Peace and Prayers for you!

The Lord loves you…may He bless you abundantly!

Dorothy

 

[tawny]

Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance, direction, strength, fortitude & wisdom in your time of need.

 

[Michael19682]

Thank you for the prayers and pointer to spiritual direction.
I remain curious as to an answer to the “possession” question.
This is very difficult because psychology particularly the behavioral
kind takes a non spiritual position. Such people claim that ultimately
science will answer all of the dilemmas the mentally ill face day to day.
I’m in NO HURRY to get an exorcism, nor do I think one is really necessary given
that I recovered most of my life with the aid of various therapies and help.
But still, we have but few examples of possession in the Gospels, and
I was wondering if anyone has experience with this phenomenon so as to
assist me in understanding what the case is “for and against”.
Frankly, if my illness were the result of a malicious spirit I might be relieved to
know that the saints interceded so generously. But then again, I’m really looking
for neither absolute nor relative answers, just what people know from experience.
I think that if I were in manifest danger certain approaches would be warranted,
but under these circumstances there is no need to contextualize or buffer answers with
delicate speech or with caution. As Paul said, no longer baby food but “solid food”.

 

[fred_conty]

I know you must feel like you are all alone fighting this thing. But rest assured your not. What I like especially about being a Catholic is that the Church is praying for all of her members all over the world. So unite your thoughts to those Masses everywhere and give your suffering over to be united with Jesus in those Masses, night and day … one is always being offered.

As far as our fight with the devil, I feel as you do that it isn’t like falling off a log to know just what kind of fight we are in sometimes. That’s because the devil lies and hides. And it is just difficult to know exactly the situation we are in.

I could only say that there are all kinds of ways the devil can possess a person, as well as different kinds of devils. Sometimes, even tho they don’t possess a person, it can seem so. I know you would like a quick and clear cut answer … and I would too in your place.

But I would say to contact an exocist priest in your diocease for an interview. Just tell him briefly what you have told us, and see what he thinks and what aids he can offer or advise. You can usually find one by calling your local bishop’s office and asking who you might contact. I will remember you in my prayer.

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

We have a kind of exorcism at the Easter vigils. I also know people who studied the Bible for several years then lined up and kneeled down for a brief exorcism and various other prayers and readings with a priest. I think the series of events in general especially the Bible studying together did them a lot of good.

 

[Michael19682]

I know you must feel like you are all alone fighting this thing. But rest assured your not. What I like especially about being a Catholic is that the Church is praying for all of her members all over the world. So unite your thoughts to those Masses everywhere and give your suffering over to be united with Jesus in those Masses, night and day … one is always being offered.

As far as our fight with the devil, I feel as you do that it isn’t like falling off a log to know just what kind of fight we are in sometimes. That’s because the devil lies and hides. And it is just difficult to know exactly the situation we are in.

I could only say that there are all kinds of ways the devil can possess a person, as well as different kinds of devils. Sometimes, even tho they don’t possess a person, it can seem so. I know you would like a quick and clear cut answer … and I would too in your place.

But I would say to contact an exocist priest in your diocease for an interview. Just tell him briefly what you have told us, and see what he thinks and what aids he can offer or advise. You can usually find one by calling your local bishop’s office and asking who you might contact. I will remember you in my prayer.

Thank you.

 

[Michael19682]

We have a kind of exorcism at the Easter vigils. I also know people who studied the Bible for several years then lined up and kneeled down for a brief exorcism and various other prayers and readings with a priest. I think the series of events in general especially the Bible studying together did them a lot of good.

I agree.