Is this a sin?

[anon98328916]

I am a young Catholic who came really back to my faith a few years ago. I have OCD and worry a lot about what people think. I even worry at mass about people if they are looking at me or at times there are people their that don’t wanna be (see this sometimes at Sunday mass) I worry or think they judge or where I’m from some people who are practising Catholics are called “holy joes”. I know I’m stupid to worry about them and I should just concentrate on trying to save my soul and living as Jesus asked of me. I worry I am offending God by this or is it the devil trying to give me doubts or make me feel stupid?

Sorry if I’ve asked this question in the wrong place

 

[Joe_5859]

I am a young Catholic who came really back to my faith a few years ago. I have OCD and worry a lot about what people think. I even worry at mass about people if they are looking at me or at times there are people their that don’t wanna be (see this sometimes at Sunday mass) I worry or think they judge or where I’m from some people who are practising Catholics are called “holy joes”. I know I’m stupid to worry about them and I should just concentrate on trying to save my soul and living as Jesus asked of me. I worry I am offending God by this or is it the devil trying to give me doubts or make me feel stupid?

Sorry if I’ve asked this question in the wrong place

If you have OCD (which often goes hand in hand with spiritual scrupulosity), I would encourage you to speak with a priest to receive guidance and direction.

You cannot read other people’s minds. At best, you can speculate, and that tends to have lots of drawbacks with no tangible benefits to be gained. Even if it were true that others are judging you, then that’s on them. There’s nothing you can do about it anyway.

 

[Rin]

I am a young Catholic who came really back to my faith a few years ago. I have OCD and worry a lot about what people think. I even worry at mass about people if they are looking at me or at times there are people their that don’t wanna be (see this sometimes at Sunday mass) I worry or think they judge or where I’m from some people who are practising Catholics are called “holy joes”. I know I’m stupid to worry about them and I should just concentrate on trying to save my soul and living as Jesus asked of me. I worry I am offending God by this or is it the devil trying to give me doubts or make me feel stupid?

Sorry if I’ve asked this question in the wrong place

It is most definitely not a sin.

But as someone who suffers from the same kind of social paranoia, though for other reasons than OCD, I highly recommend that you speak to a therapist, priest or both. In the long run, thoughts like these just take up so much energy, but it is possible to work through them and leave them behind, or at least reduce them drastically.

 

[otjm]

OCD and related issues, and scrupulosity are heavy loads to have to carry. This si not meant to be harsh, but the internet is a good place not be asking questions.

The other posters are right on; you should seek out a confessor who is trained in advising on these issues, and then follow exactly what they say. Part of the problems created by OCD and scrupulosity is the doubting that comes along with it; part of the baggage. A priest trained in dealing with this is going to give advice meant to help; questioning that advise elsewhere is self-defeating.

God bless. Pray often, and seek out a good confessor who can help you to sort out what is sinful behavior, and what is simply sourced in your difficulties.

 

[zab]

I am a young Catholic who came really back to my faith a few years ago. I have OCD and worry a lot about what people think. I even worry at mass about people if they are looking at me or at times there are people their that don’t wanna be (see this sometimes at Sunday mass) I worry or think they judge or where I’m from some people who are practising Catholics are called “holy joes”. I know I’m stupid to worry about them and I should just concentrate on trying to save my soul and living as Jesus asked of me. I worry I am offending God by this or is it the devil trying to give me doubts or make me feel stupid?

Sorry if I’ve asked this question in the wrong place

Even the greatest of saints had faults and failings. We are not judged by the personalities that we have. But our faults often have to do with what type of personality we have. It is helpful to have a check list to see into what category we fall so we can be better on our guard to fight temptations. For example, some people who are authoritative sometimes have faults pertaining to pride of authority, like trying to “lord it over” others. Some people who are shy have faults that pertain to pride of timidity like imagining problems where none exists. There is a book called “Particular Examen: How to Root Out Hidden Faults” by James F. McElhone that may be of help in understanding who you are and what faults you have. It is an older book that, I think, was written for priests, but anyone can benefit from it.