My Streak Ended

[CatholicFratBoy]

There are a lot of threads about masturbation and pornography on the site. It seems like every week there is a new thread about how someone is addicted to the sin and needs help stopping. It is clearly a sin that many guys, including myself, struggle with and have struggled with.

Well I want to share something. I just did the math and after 165 days I have succumb to the sin. I will be going to confession this afternoon and the counter shall start anew.

I guess I’m posting this to tell the guys who are currently addicted and struggling to quit. Even after you think you’ve broken through, and the cravings/urges have stopped, you can still be weak. I thought I was done with this sin and had left it behind, obviously I was wrong. But, I look forward to continuing my battle. It is clear to me that this will be something I struggle with for a long while. So to all my brothers out there who are struggling as I have and I will, I say keep up the good fight even when we fail we can pick ourselves back up. Especially with God on our side.

This quote is one that struck me. (you may recognize it):
“It seems that all my bridges have been burnt
But you say that’s exactly how this grace thing works
It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart
But the welcome I receive with every start”
-Mumford and Sons

Stay Fratty,
Catholic Frat Boy

 

[triumphguy]

I like the song.

This is a sin where you have to keep falling forward, not backwards.

I.e., you can’t let it get you down, and then give up the fight.

You have to do exactly what you are doing - get to confession ASAP and start all over again.

 

[LINVS]

If it’s any consolation, I’ve found it gets easier to give up masterbation the older you get.

 

[catholic406]

My “streak” also ended recently, although it was not as long as yours unfortunately. I think it really is one of those sins that you always have to be cognizant of and praying about it. It is so easy to slip. I have found that just by being able to reduce my frequency of this sin has made it easier to avoid even after slipping up, and I think you will find the same thing. You will be in my prayers.

 

[down_under]

AA has a great way of dealing with this problem benedict groshel turned me on to this particular point.

They might have not had a drink in 10 years…at the start of the meeting its my name is bob i’m an alcoholic. you must always continue to have what the saints refer to as “self distrust” every day you wake up your an addict and you cannot do anything about it. You are stuck and only proximity to the divine being will shatter these chains. the book spiritual combat revisited by johnathan robinson of the oratory says that certain sins will not leave you instead they are always there and should be treated like elevator music. you must hear the music, but so what.

another point made here is rather old. “the mind is like a water power saw mill” so long as water is applied to the wheel the blade will continue to spin you and make pulp wood or you can make good boards but your mind will work with whatever you give it and will not stop. give it good things and you will think on these things and not so much on the elevator music.

hope this helps

 

[Lawrence178]

18 year old Catholic guy here.

OP, you are doing an amazing job. I am not near your level yet. But I am pushing the sin back further and further. It is a war of attrition, but with the Sacraments it is made much easier. I always try to go to Confession asap when I fall. Even if it is not my favorite priest. It really does humble you and motivate you to try harder. The Eucharist is also amazingly helpful.

Let us pray to Saint Joseph the most chaste spouse.