Need Some Help, please

[CMB3884]

Hi there,

I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this, if it’s not then feel free to move it

I am struggling. I am Catholic - I was raised that way but I fell away from the Church for the last 5 years or so and I am now realizing that I never really stopped believing and I am working to come back into the Church. That said, I am struggling with doubts and maybe some anger I suppose. I recently suffered a personal loss of someone I was very close to - he had brain cancer and passed away far too young and that has put up a temporary (I hope) road block in my path back to the Church.

My question here is, how do you folks do it? I am praying and going to confession and talking to God and my priest, but the doubt still creeps in…does anyone here have any advice? Or perhaps a similar experience?

Anything any of you could offer would be so greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Ignatius]

Hi there,

I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this, if it’s not then feel free to move it

I am struggling. I am Catholic - I was raised that way but I fell away from the Church for the last 5 years or so and I am now realizing that I never really stopped believing and I am working to come back into the Church. That said, I am struggling with doubts and maybe some anger I suppose. I recently suffered a personal loss of someone I was very close to - he had brain cancer and passed away far too young and that has put up a temporary (I hope) road block in my path back to the Church.

My question here is, how do you folks do it? I am praying and going to confession and talking to God and my priest, but the doubt still creeps in…does anyone here have any advice? Or perhaps a similar experience?

Anything any of you could offer would be so greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

The questions can actually be a way of God drawing you closer to Him if you use them as an opportunity to search out the answers and the Truth. Every time I’ve sought the answer to some doubt or question, the answer has made my Faith stronger. But it’s not easy, you have to exert the necessary effort to search out The Truth. Nothing worth while ever come easy.

 

[CMB3884]

The questions can actually be a way of God drawing you closer to Him if you use them as an opportunity to search out the answers and the Truth. Every time I’ve sought the answer to some doubt or question, the answer has made my Faith stronger. But it’s not easy, you have to exert the necessary effort to search out The Truth. Nothing worth while ever come easy.

That is a different way of thinking of it. Thank you for taking the time to reply!

 

[underacloud]

I’ve certainly struggled with doubts at various times. It can be very troubling, but is ultimately a way for your faith to strengthen as you confront the doubts.

At times of doubt, I am comforted by the fact that many of the great Saints experienced such times too. Many even experienced the terrible (yet wonderful) dark night of the soul, where God is so obscured that it is agonising to the person.

But when faced with doubts in my faith, I ask myself what are the alternatives. I remind myself of what Peter said to Jesus, when many other followers were leaving Him…

John 6:67-68: So Jesus asked the twelve disciples, “You don’t want to leave, too, do you?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

 

[JRKH]

I am struggling. I am Catholic - I was raised that way but I fell away from the Church for the last 5 years or so and I am now realizing that I never really stopped believing and I am working to come back into the Church.

God bless you for the courage to come back. It took me 35 years…

That said, I am struggling with doubts and maybe some anger I suppose. I recently suffered a personal loss of someone I was very close to - he had brain cancer and passed away far too young and that has put up a temporary (I hope) road block in my path back to the Church.

First of all, my sincere condolences for your loss. I know how painful these things can be. Especially when it is one so young. I will remember him in my prayers tonight.

I assume that the roadblock that you speak of is your asking why God would take someone so young. It is a good question. Ignatius has given some insight into this. I hope you will prayerfully pursue the truth.
As to your personal loss, I cannot answer why God chooses to take when he does. Why some live ling lives while others only short ones. Why some pass quietly in their sleep while others suffer great pain.
I do know that we, as the ones left behind, need to recognize that ALL life here is short compared to eternity and that what is important is that we remain focused on God, and seeking His will so that, whenever the time comes, we will be with God forever in heaven.

My question here is, how do you folks do it? I am praying and going to confession and talking to God and my priest, but the doubt still creeps in…does anyone here have any advice? Or perhaps a similar experience?

Well I spent 35 years away from the Church…No big drama or anything - I was just lazy and I drifted away. Then the questions started (or surfaced) and doubts crept in - along with more and more sin…
Eventually, by God’s grace, I was able to return the sacraments but that did not mean that I had no doubts or questions. I did two things.

1. I concentrated on the living of the faith rather than the study of it.
2. I gradually looked into those things that either interested me, or that I had questions on. But I did not press the matter…I just take the Church on faith.

Have I resolved everything?? No. There are still matters that can trouble me, or that I simply do not understand. There are three options on these.
a) I can embrace them, study on them until I reach understanding,
b) I can accept them as is without understanding, trusting in the 2000 year old Spirit Guided Church to get it right.
c) I can reject them…

“c” is not really an option since I believe that if I am to call myself Catholic I must BE Catholic. That leaves “a” and “b”.
If the matter is something that affects my daily walk in Christ, then I study on it seeking to understand. If not, then I simply accept that the Church is much smarter than me and accept the teaching as is.

I will say that anytime that I have dug into something, I have been impressed with the logic and reason of the Church’s position. This gives me even greater confidence in the Church’s position on things I have not dug into and don’t understand…

Anything any of you could offer would be so greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

You are welcome.
I hope my rambling is of some help to you.

Peace
James

 

[CMB3884]

God bless you for the courage to come back. It took me 35 years…

First of all, my sincere condolences for your loss. I know how painful these things can be. Especially when it is one so young. I will remember him in my prayers tonight.

I assume that the roadblock that you speak of is your asking why God would take someone so young. It is a good question. Ignatius has given some insight into this. I hope you will prayerfully pursue the truth.
As to your personal loss, I cannot answer why God chooses to take when he does. Why some live ling lives while others only short ones. Why some pass quietly in their sleep while others suffer great pain.
I do know that we, as the ones left behind, need to recognize that ALL life here is short compared to eternity and that what is important is that we remain focused on God, and seeking His will so that, whenever the time comes, we will be with God forever in heaven.

Well I spent 35 years away from the Church…No big drama or anything - I was just lazy and I drifted away. Then the questions started (or surfaced) and doubts crept in - along with more and more sin…
Eventually, by God’s grace, I was able to return the sacraments but that did not mean that I had no doubts or questions. I did two things.

1. I concentrated on the living of the faith rather than the study of it.
2. I gradually looked into those things that either interested me, or that I had questions on. But I did not press the matter…I just take the Church on faith.

Have I resolved everything?? No. There are still matters that can trouble me, or that I simply do not understand. There are three options on these.
a) I can embrace them, study on them until I reach understanding,
b) I can accept them as is without understanding, trusting in the 2000 year old Spirit Guided Church to get it right.
c) I can reject them…

“c” is not really an option since I believe that if I am to call myself Catholic I must BE Catholic. That leaves “a” and “b”.
If the matter is something that affects my daily walk in Christ, then I study on it seeking to understand. If not, then I simply accept that the Church is much smarter than me and accept the teaching as is.

I will say that anytime that I have dug into something, I have been impressed with the logic and reason of the Church’s position. This gives me even greater confidence in the Church’s position on things I have not dug into and don’t understand…

You are welcome.
I hope my rambling is of some help to you.

Peace
James

Thank you, James, for your response. It is a daily struggle but one I know I want to partake in. It might sound strange, but it’s nice to know there are others out there who have struggled like me, but have found their place in the Church. Just another reason for me to continue on this path.

~Colleen

 

[SecretGarden]

Coming back is difficult. Spiritual direction helps as well as joining a community that can help you. I don’t know your age but I know various parishes, as well as religious groups offer groups where people can learn about their faith. RCIA could also help as well.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Hi there,

I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this, if it’s not then feel free to move it

I am struggling. I am Catholic - I was raised that way but I fell away from the Church for the last 5 years or so and I am now realizing that I never really stopped believing and I am working to come back into the Church. That said, I am struggling with doubts and maybe some anger I suppose. I recently suffered a personal loss of someone I was very close to - he had brain cancer and passed away far too young and that has put up a temporary (I hope) road block in my path back to the Church.

We don’t quite believe it, do we? That it’s all real, that there’s really God and Heaven and Eternal life. Because if we did, we’d never say things like “He died too young.” We’d be so thrilled and happy for them that they get to go and be with God and didn’t have to keep hanging around here. We’d be jealous.

I was in my 50s before I knew it was real. Before I celebrated when a boy I knew with brain cancer finally passed and I was so happy for him. It was a gift to me, the faith and the experience that gave me the faith. I wish I had an answer for you but I don’t. Except to say: it really is what the Church says if you can get past people caring how you hold your hands, or what music they play or the gabillion bits of leavening that come along with the Truth.

Jesus is real. Try praying, try just talking to Him.

God bless you abundantly in your search and may the Holy Spirit descend upon you and bring you the Peace of Christ. In Jesus name I ask.