Not going to confession because

[Christianus_Dei]

I’ve been struggling with mortal sin for a while now. At my worst, I’m in confession twice a week. Two priests have told me that I’m abusing the sacrament, and not trying hard enough. That’s usually a wake-up call to me to work on my prayer life, but right now I’m in a state of sin and I haven’t gone to confession yet because I want to make sure I absolutely mean it when I do. Is that okay?

Every time I’ve gone to confession when I say I’ll avoid doing it again, it’s at the back of my mind that I’m just going to do it again in a few days. I want to stop, but I don’t know how I’ll continue my life without it.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

My suggestion to you is to find a spiritual director with whom you can work to conquer this sin. Something so deeply ingrained that you don’t know how you’ll continue your life without it sounds like a fault that is going to be pretty difficult to overcome without some highly focused help.

Praying for you!

 

[Meemai]

Well I mean confession might be important but just so you know where I live no one does confession really.

Where I live the church is dying went to mass yesterday, 7 people that was including me. While confession might be important it’s quite watered down here, not to say that it is not needed. But what I am trying to say is, try to stop the sinning you confessed once, that sin, now it’s time to work on it.

I sin everyday and I confessed only twice, it’s just not something that is done a lot where I live. And well the things I confessed them 2 years ago, still working on it and almost dealt with it. Now I could have gone every week for confession and tell my priest I have a problem with hate and forgiving a certain one, but that would have been 2 years every week or so. And I still havn’t dealt with it that greatly. Though I am making advancements.

So keep working and try some spirituality. Read some books, Saint John Paul II wrote great books, there is all kinds of great books.

 

[GLam8833]

Face it, you’re in a PIT, and can’t get out
ON YOUR OWN, someone spiritual has
to RESTORE you into fellowship w/ the
Church. Coming to CAForums is the right
idea, we, who are spiritual can pray for you
and restore you into fellowship w/ the Church.
I will pray for you, Christianus_Dei!!

 

[Trident_H]

I’ve been struggling with mortal sin for a while now. At my worst, I’m in confession twice a week. Two priests have told me that I’m abusing the sacrament, and not trying hard enough. That’s usually a wake-up call to me to work on my prayer life, but right now I’m in a state of sin and I haven’t gone to confession yet because I want to make sure I absolutely mean it when I do. Is that okay?

Every time I’ve gone to confession when I say I’ll avoid doing it again, it’s at the back of my mind that I’m just going to do it again in a few days. I want to stop, but I don’t know how I’ll continue my life without it.

Hey man. Take it easy brother. I know how this is. It’s a real strain this way. So I mean I’ll give it to you straight.

It’s the pattern that’s catching you. It’s the same set of 1, 2, 3. Those things in order. Break the pattern. Break the connection between the dots. Change your plans before you give yourself that road in. But also. Also don’t beat yourself up too much on it. I’m not saying give in to it. No of course not. But I’m saying that thinking you’re not even good enough to go to the sacrament that was made for this very thing? No man. That’s wrong thinking. Have peace in that. What I’d do is still go to confession. But just alternate parishes or something. So you don’t feel so close to the same sin telling session with the same priest. But then I’m a bit of a coward in that. I mean I’m not always the strongest one when it comes to putting myself forward like that. Retreat’s been my motto for too long. I’m only lately coming around on that.

But what I want you to know is that you’re more than just this sin. As stubborn as it is. And as easy as it is to fall into. You’re still that great guy who’s working hard against that on other days. So please have strength in that. Know that you’ve got friends in this too. In the same kind of way.

I mean I spread my ‘mortal sinning’ out from daily to every three weeks. So there’s some progress there. Even if it’s still something a guy can set his clock by. So please don’t despair. Just change one thing at a time. The rest of you will get made back up really quick.

I know you’re a good guy. I know you can do this. Stay strong man. Don’t break down in this.

Peace buddy.

-Trident

 

[spiderweb]

I second Trident’s advice above.

Also know what “triggers” the temptation for this habitual sin. Is it boredom? watching TV or the internet? being alone? Whatever the triggers are, try to develop new habits that avoid and counter act the triggers as much as possible.

Also I would recommend when being tempted to open the Bible to one of the Gospels or a Psalm and just start reading and concentrate on what you are reading. Or logon to CAF and get involved with some threads. Do whatever works for you to get your mind off of the temptation, but keep trying to find something that does work. The battle isn’t lost every time you give in, the battle is only lost when you give up.

 

[Trident_H]

I second Trident’s advice above.

Also know what “triggers” the temptation for this habitual sin. Is it boredom? watching TV or the internet? being alone? Whatever the triggers are, try to develop new habits that avoid and counter act the triggers as much as possible.

Also I would recommend when being tempted to open the Bible to one of the Gospels or a Psalm and just start reading and concentrate on what you are reading. Or logon to CAF and get involved with some threads. Do whatever works for you to get your mind off of the temptation, but keep trying to find something that does work. The battle isn’t lost every time you give in, the battle is only lost when you give up.

Good advice man. All of it. Especially the part in bold. Thanks for that bit of wisdom.

Peace spider.

-Trident

 

[Belshazzar]

Develop a devotion to Our Lady and pray the rosary every day. Either you will give up your sin or give up the rosary. That’s what worked for me.