Is it wrong to feel good when working in church activities?

[mariam1976]

i have had this feeling in my heart for some days… i am the kind of person who loves to do stuff in the church… helping around and doing things… going for the charities… feeding the homeless…
you get the picture…
i wonder sometimes do i do this becos i like the feeling that i am so good and if i do, does that mean that i have already received the rewards here on earth??

anybody else thinking like this?

 

[catholicmessage]

i have had this feeling in my heart for some days… i am the kind of person who loves to do stuff in the church… helping around and doing things… going for the charities… feeding the homeless…
you get the picture…
i wonder sometimes do i do this becos i like the feeling that i am so good and if i do, does that mean that i have already received the rewards here on earth??

anybody else thinking like this?

There’s nothing wrong with feeling good about doing good. I think the idea is if you go around telling other people how good you are, you have already received your reward. You can’t help the good feeling. Just don’t go looking for praise, that is where you fall into the trap. That’s my :twocents:

 

[mariam1976]

There’s nothing wrong with feeling good about doing good. I think the idea is if you go around telling other people how good you are, you have already received your reward. You can’t help the good feeling. Just don’t go looking for praise, that is where you fall into the trap. That’s my :twocents:

i dont go around saying to people how good i am but i do tell people that i am doing stuff - feeding the homeless so that i can encourage them to join too… that is sort of self-praise…

i dont tell people but i tell my friend everything and we generally discuss what we did over the weekend and i tell her all the stuff that i did… sometimes i feel like i shouldnt but i do anyways… as i feel she is one of the few friends that i have to talk to… and i like to share good and bad with her…

i feel now like i am being scrupulous right?

 

[catholicmessage]

You’ve got nothing to worry about. It doesn’t sound like you have the wrong motivation for doing good things.

 

[NotWorthy]

To me, a good barometer is when you ask yourself, “How do I feel if I do this and nobody thanks me?”. Do you get upset if no one even notices your good works.

If that doesn’t bother you in the least, then I say you’re doing it for the right reasons. If this does bother you, then you might want to re-examine your motives.

In my book, I’d rather err on the side of doing good for others, though.

 

[mariam1976]

To me, a good barometer is when you ask yourself, “How do I feel if I do this and nobody thanks me?”. Do you get upset if no one even notices your good works.

If that doesn’t bother you in the least, then I say you’re doing it for the right reasons. If this does bother you, then you might want to re-examine your motives.

In my book, I’d rather err on the side of doing good for others, though.

no… i dont really care when people dont appreciate or thank me for doing it… in fact i like to kind of do stuff and not have people tell me what a good job what i am doing as it makes me feel self-conscious about the fact that someone is noticing me…
it does feel good though when people do thank or acknowledge…

thats a paradox right there… i can feel it when i am writing it…

 

[NotWorthy]

no… i dont really care when people dont appreciate or thank me for doing it… in fact i like to kind of do stuff and not have people tell me what a good job what i am doing as it makes me feel self-conscious about the fact that someone is noticing me…
it does feel good though when people do thank or acknowledge…

thats a paradox right there… i can feel it when i am writing it…

No, it makes perfect sense, for we all biologically need the acceptance of our brothers and sisters.

But it seems like your heart is in the right place, for you don’t need those thanks. I wouldn’t worry too much.

As a matter of fact, I’ve been dealing with this same issue, even bringing it up in Confession. I think your post had helped me to think through my dilemna.

Thanks!!!

 

[mariam1976]

No, it makes perfect sense, for we all biologically need the acceptance of our brothers and sisters.

But it seems like your heart is in the right place, for you don’t need those thanks. I wouldn’t worry too much.

As a matter of fact, I’ve been dealing with this same issue, even bringing it up in Confession. I think your post had helped me to think through my dilemna.

Thanks!!!

thats great…

 

[stbruno]

What you are experiencing is also known as a “helper’s high” and that is perfectly natural.

Keep doing it. It’s healthy, it’s helpful and it’s certainly Christian.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

Don’t be ashamed of having these wonderful feelings. It’s God’s way of saying, I am pleased with you!

 

[John_AH]

That’s the beauty of the LIFE GOD gave us. That which brings us closer to GOD also makes us HAPPY!

God’s humble servant
John A.H.

 

[NotWorthy]

A couple of things to think about when you are considering doing Church activity:

1. What’s the easiest way to get to heaven? Reach out your hand and bring somebody with you.
2. Mother Teresa used to say, when she was planning on doing something for others, “Let’s do something beautiful for Jesus”.

When you are helping out at the church or some other charitable function, you are doing something beautiful for Jesus!!!

 

[exoflare]

i have had this feeling in my heart for some days… i am the kind of person who loves to do stuff in the church… helping around and doing things… going for the charities… feeding the homeless…
you get the picture…
i wonder sometimes do i do this becos i like the feeling that i am so good and if i do, does that mean that i have already received the rewards here on earth??

anybody else thinking like this?

Umm… no.

 

[tkdnick]

To me, a good barometer is when you ask yourself, “How do I feel if I do this and nobody thanks me?”. Do you get upset if no one even notices your good works.

I think another good barometer is can you (or will you) keep doing it even if that good feeling goes away?

 

[Mintaka]

Exactly. If you can keep on working for the church even when it gets frustrating, then you aren’t just in it for pleasure.

Which is not to say that you shouldn’t enjoy your work. Any work can be enjoyable – there’s just something pleasant and satisfying in getting stuff done, and that was designed into us by God. There’s special pleasure in doing stuff for Someone we love; and beyond that, sometimes God gives us pleasurable feelings to encourage us, especially when we’re just starting something new.

But frequently He decides to let us struggle for a time without such helps, so just know that it will happen.