Need help with fear

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Lucy_1

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I have a problem with low level but persistent fear that seems to be with me whenever I’m home. I can’t even really put my finger on what it is, because it’s pretty subtle, but if I had to name it, I guess it would be fear that something bad is going to happen. It’s really not logical, because my life is fine-- I haven’t even had many hardships despite the pandemic, etc. and if something bad were to happen, I’m sure God would be with me through it.

So I’m wondering two things. First, what can I do to keep this fear from clouding my vision of Jesus? Mostly, I just try to ignore it, but I’m getting really tired of it. Are there any particular prayers you pray when you’re anxious or afraid? Anything you meditate on or passages of scripture which help you?

Second, I’m wondering if this could be some kind of demonic shenanigans. My husband is lost his faith several years ago, and sometimes watches horror movies and YouTube videos about demons, as well as videos by atheists which are quite hostile to Christianity. I’m wondering if maybe something got in that way? Anyway, our house hasn’t been blessed, so will it take care of this if I bless the house with holy water? Will it have the same effect as if a priest does it? I’d rather not ask my priest as he’s new to the parish, and I’m sure he has a mile-long list of stuff to do.
 
It’s possible that, like me, you suffer from a biological issue called General Anxiety Disorder. Only a doctor can diagnose this but your symptoms sound identical to what I dealt with for years. I take a daily medication and practice many cognitive behavioral techniques which are now second nature and require little effort. Prayer will certainly help but you may need more than that if something in your system is a bit out of whack. The main thing is to accept it all and not become alarmed. This will only serve to heighten the symptoms. As I said, if it persists see your doctor.
 
How about Psalm 23…that is a beautiful prayer.

Also, a daily Rosary!
 
It’s been going on for quite a while, so I guess I need to see my doc about some meds.
 
Is it only at home? Is it more intense in certain parts of the house? I do not say that this is the only possible explanation, but it has been shown that low frequency sounds (even ones too low in frequency for most humans to hear) can induce feelings of anxiety or even fear and dread. Several companies make detectors for this sound (but they can be pricy to purchase) and there are phone apps available, but I have no idea how good any of them are as I have never personally needed one. It might be possible to hire someone to investigate, but it may take some digging to find. Just a thought.
 
Thanks. Yeah, it does seem to be worse at home, that’s why I thought it might be something spiritual. We recently got one of those plug ins that is supposed to drive away insects by sound, but I didn’t notice my anxiety worsened by it, so I’m not sure I’m that affected by sound. Interesting though. Maybe I’ll look up those apps.
 
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Lucy, have you gone through the house and the property with Holy Water or Holy Salt, to reclaim your home? Do you re-bless the home when you have guests or workmen at the home? If not you may need to do this on a regular bases, especially if your husbands spiritual state is as it is at the moment. It would be helpful to have your parish priest come in, and then keep up with regular blessings.

Would be a good idea to turn off the high frequency anti-bug device. High frequencies can cause the human body a lot of issues.

It would be unusual to have anxiety issues in just one environment unless something really bad has happened in that environment. Which doesn’t sound like this is the case for you.

Best of luck Lucy. Pax Christi.
 
TheHolyTrinity said:
Lucy, have you gone through the house and the property with Holy Water or Holy Salt, to reclaim your home? Do you re-bless the home when you have guests or workmen at the home?
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No, the house has never been blessed by me or a priest. What would be the prayer as I bless it? And would it have the same affect whether it was done by a priest or a layperson?
 
Lucy_1 said:
would it have the same affect whether it was done by a priest or a layperson?
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It would be helpful to have your parish priest come in, and then keep up with regular blessings using Holy Water or Blessed Salt.
 
I’m sure your new priest does have a lot on his plate. However, part of his job of helping maintain the spiritual health of his flock is to bless homes when asked. He probably wouldn’t mind doing so for your home. Just ask him to fit it into his schedule, so he can find time for it.

Chronic anxiety can also have a medical or biological cause. I would first seek counseling from your priest. Then, see a doctor if this persists much longer.

Don’t be afraid to ask your priest for spiritual guidance about this. That’s very much a part of his vocation, and being new, he might welcome the opportunity to get to know you as one of his parishioners.

All the best.
 
Lucy_1 said:
So I’m wondering two things. First, what can I do to keep this fear from clouding my vision of Jesus? Mostly, I just try to ignore it, but I’m getting really tired of it. Are there any particular prayers you pray when you’re anxious or afraid? Anything you meditate on or passages of scripture which help you?
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“Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
 
I think I’ve had a life-long battle with low level fear too. Nothing to do anything about – just very low level but persistent. It is a tendency to immediately think in situations that the worst will occur or disaster will result. It appears to run in the family as both my mother and grandmother had it. I’ve found that if I pull back and think rationally and objectively (“what’s the worst that can happen?” “what is actually likely to happen?”) it quells my initial emotional reaction. Spiritually, I’ve found that a strong devotion to the Divine Mercy helps (“Jesus, I trust in you!”) and to the Little Way of St. Therese/Spiritual Childhood.
 
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Lucy_1 said:
It’s been going on for quite a while, so I guess I need to see my doc about some meds.
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I don’t know your age ,but it could be hormone related with perimenopause …anxiety can happen with hormones fluctuating .
 
Are you able to stand up for yourself when you need to? Or do you feel like you’re generally be walked all over?
 
You said you’ll see you doc that’s worthwhile in the first instance. Another thing to consider is when it started? It could be desolation. We have natural ebbs and flows in the spiritual life which are called by various names but some call them desolation and consolation. If you are in it generalised low mood, fear and anxiety and feeling distanced from God and drawn to things of the world are some of the ways to tell. How is your own prayer life? Meditation is the best to help get one out of desolation especially on the humility of Christ and Mary. Pray for your husband at least a decade of the rosary a day and I’d suggest getting a mass said for him. Fight for him, you are joined together so if he’s down you will feel down. I am sure you are fighting those are just some ideas.
If you can get your husband to stop watching those sort of things or at least don’t watch them with him. Maybe suggest happier things to do together. Tell him they make you afraid.
Keep praying and God bless. Prayer helps all things. I’ll pray for you too
 
0Scarlett_nidiyilii said:
Are you able to stand up for yourself when you need to? Or do you feel like you’re generally be walked all over?
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Usually I am able to stand up for myself, though I do try to die to myself as much as possible-- with the caveat that it doesn’t cause resentment in me, otherwise it’s not worth it. That said, I wouldn’t say I had an assertive personality about most things.
Bluebright said:
How is your own prayer life? Meditation is the best to help get one out of desolation especially on the humility of Christ and Mary. Pray for your husband at least a decade of the rosary a day and I’d suggest getting a mass said for him. Fight for him, you are joined together so if he’s down you will feel down. I am sure you are fighting those are just some ideas.
If you can get your husband to stop watching those sort of things or at least don’t watch them with him. Maybe suggest happier things to do together. Tell him they make you afraid.
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Yes, prayer and meditation definitely help! I do try to say a daily rosary. I hadn’t thought of getting a mass said for him, but that’s a good idea. I don’t watch those videos, and he has cut back on them. Especially after I suggested he was basically indoctrinating himself against the faith.
Limoncello4021 said:
Spiritually, I’ve found that a strong devotion to the Divine Mercy helps (“Jesus, I trust in you!”) and to the Little Way of St. Therese/Spiritual Childhood.
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I will try to say the chaplet more regularly. I do really like it. I love that God brings all kinds of people to mind when I’m praying it.
 
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