New Catholic finding it hard

[crazydyl]

Hello

I am finding it tough being happy and motivated as a Catholic and I am reverting back to my old ways. I don’t want to sin but I just feel alone with my faith and not very happy at all.

Has anyone got any advice? Or help? Are you a happy Catholic?

God bless

Dylan

 

[sanctamaria17]

As a convert myself (six years as of this Easter), it’s the same…You have times when God is taking you to the top of a beautiful mountain and others when He’s taking you through a desert. It helps to remind yourself that it’s His heart you’re after, regardless of what the world says.

:hug1:

 

[srferdave]

Hello

I am finding it tough being happy and motivated as a Catholic and I am reverting back to my old ways. I don’t want to sin but I just feel alone with my faith and not very happy at all.

Has anyone got any advice? Or help? Are you a happy Catholic?

God bless

Dylan

What kind of things do you do to try and get out of your funk? Or, do you just wait for God to do something to make you happier?

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello

I am finding it tough being happy and motivated as a Catholic and I am reverting back to my old ways. I don’t want to sin but I just feel alone with my faith and not very happy at all.

Has anyone got any advice? Or help? Are you a happy Catholic?

God bless

Dylan

my advice as it is to all neophytes is continue participating some formal way in adult faith formation, through mystagogy meetings, or being an RCIA sponsor, or pursuing bible studies or other opportunties for adults in your parish or diocese. The second, most essential way, is service. Find a way to serve and become involved in parish life and ministry or apostolates.

 

[JRKH]

Hello

I am finding it tough being happy and motivated as a Catholic and I am reverting back to my old ways. I don’t want to sin but I just feel alone with my faith and not very happy at all.

Has anyone got any advice? Or help? Are you a happy Catholic?

God bless

Dylan

Can you offer any specifics like what “old ways” are you talking about and what about your faith journey makes you unhappy?

Being a follower of Christ does not equate with “happiness” in every meaning or sense of the word. There will often be times when journey will require stern discipline, consentrtion and hard work. Otherwise we would not be asked to “pick up our cross” to follow Jesus.

That said, even in our unhappiness or sorrows, we can rejoice in our faith and our goal.

Peace
James

 

[idrum677]

Jesus never said it would be easy. We all go thorugh dry spells. My advice is to receive the sacraments as often as possible as they will help strengthen you and give you countless graces. Also, pray often. Ask the Lord to help you with your struggles.

my advice as it is to all neophytes is continue participating some formal way in adult faith formation, through mystagogy meetings, or being an RCIA sponsor, or pursuing bible studies or other opportunties for adults in your parish or diocese. The second, most essential way, is service. Find a way to serve and become involved in parish life and ministry or apostolates.

I agree with Annie too. Be involved in some sort of parish ministry or group. It’s amazing how much the people you associate with affect your faith. If you’re around like-minded faithful people, you tend to feel that way too and you won’t feel alone. That goes for TV, radio, reading, and websites. What you are exposed to has a huge impact on how you feel.

Remember, being Catholic doesn’t mean being perfect. The Church is not an institute for saints, it’s a hospital for sinners. We are all sinners, but we’ve got the amazing opporunity for forgiveness no matter how often we stumble.

God bless.

 

[doanli]

Hello

I am finding it tough being happy and motivated as a Catholic and I am reverting back to my old ways. I don’t want to sin but I just feel alone with my faith and not very happy at all.

Has anyone got any advice? Or help? Are you a happy Catholic?

God bless

Dylan

Dylan,

Speaking for myself, yes, I know this feeling very well. Sometimes, those spiritual ups and downs are on a daily basis.

I try to remember Faith is not about feelings and I , above all, pray and tell our Lord about it…when I don’t feel like praying at all, I just say “Jesus, help me.”— He has always come through for me. Don’t be afraid to ask our Blessed Mother’s assistance as well— she is a wonderful Mother as I am discovering (I have been praying to get closer to her— I lost my mom last year and miss her terribly.)

And we’re always here to cheer you on too!

 

[crazydyl]

Dylan,

Speaking for myself, yes, I know this feeling very well. Sometimes, those spiritual ups and downs are on a daily basis.

I try to remember Faith is not about feelings and I , above all, pray and tell our Lord about it…when I don’t feel like praying at all, I just say “Jesus, help me.”— He has always come through for me. Don’t be afraid to ask our Blessed Mother’s assistance as well— she is a wonderful Mother as I am discovering (I have been praying to get closer to her— I lost my mom last year and miss her terribly.)

And we’re always here to cheer you on too!

I suddenly feel better but I will try to not get too excited God made us just for no reason apart from doing good, right? So I just have to overcome my weaknesses and ‘just do good’ and not want anything back. Am I on the right lines? Yes, the world is bad but I just do good and try to forget about it?

 

[crazydyl]

Can you offer any specifics like what “old ways” are you talking about and what about your faith journey makes you unhappy?

Being a follower of Christ does not equate with “happiness” in every meaning or sense of the word. There will often be times when journey will require stern discipline, consentrtion and hard work. Otherwise we would not be asked to “pick up our cross” to follow Jesus.

That said, even in our unhappiness or sorrows, we can rejoice in our faith and our goal.

Peace
James

Ok I feel better now We are suffering servants and I am meant to feel like this

 

[GaryTaylor]

Nope their was defininatly no mention of it being easy. On the other hand the journey through the physical world is really about Penance.

But this also doesn’t have to be nightmare.

I can only speak through my own experience. If the life you live is combination of catholic and sin. Then their will be a constant conflict in your mind. I grew up in this faith and it scared me. School the nuns I really felt motivated through fear. I never rejected it. I just had to walk away from it for a bit to get my mind right with it. In that time God never abandoned me. I drifted from it for a period in college and after. But can recall many experiences where God was their and carried me. If he wasn’t their I wouldn’t be here.

What brought me back to my faith was living a positive lifestyle one thought at a time. Sticking with the winners. Even when I wasn’t trying to hear what they said, Blind Faith is how I attacked it. What particularly I found helpfull was the Holy Rosary. Yea I know every one says “oh not that”. But I “know” and I’m here to tell you, nothing will change your life and thinking and feelings like that compostion of prayers. If you give it chance and a “HONEST” effort with it. It will change your life and give you a firmer grip on your faith in times of struggle. Start their and watch how the Blessed Mother leads you to her son Jesus and God.

At some point in this life. You “will” realize just how short our time on earth really is. Regardless of the length of life. Its a drop in the bucket in time. And to think you only have this and must make the best of it through a negative lifestyle. Is a one-way ticket to Hell. Make no mistake about it. Your gambling for the “Highest Stakes” in the this world…your “SOUL”.

May you find your way through the Trinity and the Blessed Mother my friend. I will say a prayer for you. God Bless.

 

[crazydyl]

Oh man I get that there is a point to life and there is a God. I am grateful to be part of God’s creation, but the world is in a prettyy bad state because humans have broken their trust with God? And everything will be ok if we regain that trust? And sadly not everyone can be trusted and we will be judged? I have to show that I can be trusted?

Any more advice? I am trying to get my head around all of this

 

[crazydyl]

Nope their was defininatly no mention of it being easy. On the other hand the journey through the physical world is really about Penance.

But this also doesn’t have to be nightmare.

I can only speak through my own experience. If the life you live is combination of catholic and sin. Then their will be a constant conflict in your mind. I grew up in this faith and it scared me. School the nuns I really felt motivated through fear. I never rejected it. I just had to walk away from it for a bit to get my mind right with it. In that time God never abandoned me. I drifted from it for a period in college and after. But can recall many experiences where God was their and carried me. If he wasn’t their I wouldn’t be here.

What brought me back to my faith was living a positive lifestyle one thought at a time. Sticking with the winners. Even when I wasn’t trying to hear what they said, Blind Faith is how I attacked it. What particularly I found helpfull was the Holy Rosary. Yea I know every one says “oh not that”. But I “know” and I’m here to tell you, nothing will change your life and thinking and feelings like that compostion of prayers. If you give it chance and a “HONEST” effort with it. It will change your life and give you a firmer grip on your faith in times of struggle. Start their and watch how the Blessed Mother leads you to her son Jesus and God.

At some point in this life. You “will” realize just how short our time on earth really is. Regardless of the length of life. Its a drop in the bucket in time. And to think you only have this and must make the best of it through a negative lifestyle. Is a one-way ticket to Hell. Make no mistake about it. Your gambling for the “Highest Stakes” in the this world…your “SOUL”.

May you find your way through the Trinity and the Blessed Mother my friend. I will say a prayer for you. God Bless.

Thanks for that I kinda just need to understand it all first and know what we are all about before I need to put my effort in though

 

[Rascalking]

My friend, it’s always tough to try and walk the path of being a catholic. Alot of us can’t-it’s a tough climb up the mountian. Anyone who says that it is easy to be a Catholic may not be paying attention to what it takes to be Catholic!

Thankfully, God understands that. He knows the virtue-even attepmted virtue-is a wonderful start to living the Christian life. Your never alone in your faith, even when you think you are.

God bless you my friend.

 

[crazydyl]

My friend, it’s always tough to try and walk the path of being a catholic. Alot of us can’t-it’s a tough climb up the mountian. Anyone who says that it is easy to be a Catholic may not be paying attention to what it takes to be Catholic!

Thankfully, God understands that. He knows the virtue-even attepmted virtue-is a wonderful start to living the Christian life. Your never alone in your faith, even when you think you are.

God bless you my friend.

Yes, but why do I have to follow these rules? Why do I have to be like this? Can someone try to explain, please? To gain trust? I am a very unselfish person and it upsets me that not everyone listens and being a Catholic in this world seems kinda selfish to be doing it on your own to just get to heaven for YOURSELF. Am I doing it for God? I don’t understand?

 

[doanli]

I suddenly feel better but I will try to not get too excited God made us just for no reason apart from doing good, right? So I just have to overcome my weaknesses and ‘just do good’ and not want anything back. Am I on the right lines? Yes, the world is bad but I just do good and try to forget about it?

Yes,

“WWJD?” comes to mind.

It can be hard sometimes because I think humans are naturally self-centered.

I kept on committing a grave sin, time and time again…look at the face of the Lord Jesus, and don’t take your eyes off of Him— He’ll help, He always does even if He feels eons away…

God bless you, glad you’re feeling better!

 

[doanli]

Yes, but why do I have to follow these rules? Why do I have to be like this? Can someone try to explain, please? To gain trust? I am a very unselfish person and it upsets me that not everyone listens and being a Catholic in this world seems kinda selfish to be doing it on your own to just get to heaven for YOURSELF. Am I doing it for God? I don’t understand?

As you practice your faith, you will find out how it’s not selfish…you may start out doing it for yourself, but then you let go and find yourself praying and giving to others---- there is nothing at all wrong with wanting Salvation for yourself, my friend— wish more would concern themselves with that!

 

[crazydyl]

Ok, so God created us for no reason, but why have rules and treat us so badly if we do bad things? Why are they bad? Because they are not acts of love? And we are created out of love? God is kinda just teaching us how to be full of love like Him? But then how can he can get angry at bad people? haha Is love not just about being nice?

I think a big problem is kinda living amongst people that don’t care about God, it is kinda upsetting.

 

[srferdave]

Ok, so God created us for no reason, but why have rules and treat us so badly if we do bad things? Why are they bad? Because they are not acts of love? And we are created out of love? God is kinda just teaching us how to be full of love like Him? But then how can he can get angry at bad people? haha Is love not just about being nice?

I think a big problem is kinda living amongst people that don’t care about God, it is kinda upsetting.

God DID create us for a reason. He created us to love us. God is love. So therefore love must be everything and everywhere. God does not treat us badly. God treats us with kindness. If we reject Him than we reject His love. And if we reject that than how can we expect to be happy. Love is more than just being nice. Love is more than just a feeling. Love is an action.

 

[GorgerCracker]

Dylan,

I’m a convert too and I find the only things that keep me going are the Rosary and the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows. The latter especially lightens the load, and makes it easier not to sin, and the Rosary works wonders for increasing faith.

Also, whenever you’re having trouble with any particular sin, you can always pray for help not to do it. And the Devotion of the Three Hail Marys is particularly helpful for avoiding mortal sins.

I’m sorry you feel alone in your faith. Don’t give up.

Gorger

 

[crazzeto]

Hello

I am finding it tough being happy and motivated as a Catholic and I am reverting back to my old ways. I don’t want to sin but I just feel alone with my faith and not very happy at all.

Has anyone got any advice? Or help? Are you a happy Catholic?

God bless

Dylan

What specific issues are you having? Just general issues with the faith it’s self? Issues with your level of involvement at church, or how you perseive how much involvement is possible?