Please help me with my faith PLEASE

[elGatofelix]

Hello everyone this is only my second post but i come here and read once in a while.

I have been depressed for years now but especially recently. During my depression many times i have considered suicide. But it crushed my heart that i would go to hell.

I have a hard time with this if you commit suicide you go to hell thing. It makes me want to cry. Especially because there are so many who commit suicide now. I know God himself sends no one to hell but one does with the sins one commits. But why is suicide a sin? People who commit suicide are trying to stop the pain. Would God really allow someone who wants to stop the suffering to go to hell?

Maybe if they had other sins yes but lets say its someone who has no sins and is recently confessed. They would still go to hell. This really makes me want to cry.

The time i considered suicide i wanted to rest and just go to God already. But that would never happen. I think God would not do that. I really think that God can understand that some people cant take it anymore. I dont think he would send them to hell.

Recently some people from the baptist church came to my house and told me that no one can forgive but God. And that accepting Jesus is all there is. I have considered becoming a baptist because i feel it is the right way.

I know there is a chance non catholics can reach salvations if they dont know the catholic teaching and feel that their religion is the right way to get to God. Well i sort of feel this is the right way. And i feel God is calling me through this religion because i have been having so many thoughts. But i DO know the catholic teachings. But i just feel that this other religion might be the right way.

I really feel that just feeling sorry and asking for Gods forgiveness is the right way. Why is it necessary to tell a priest? Does it mean that non catholics who ask God for forgiveness are never forgiven even though they can be really sorry?

I dont know im so confused. Ive cried alot already. I dont know what to do. And knowing about so many people who commit suicide. And to think they are all burning in hell for EVER AND EVER AND EVER just because they were in pain. I dont know what to think anymore.

I love God. And i know that i mess up often and i feel so sorry right now that i want to cry. And i know God knows that. So why cant he just forgive me himself? I really think he can.

Plus EVERYONE sins. What happens if even though you might be a good catholic you get killed on your way to confession? You go to hell! I dont think God would allow that.

I also dont know why God would allow anyone to burn for eternity. I dont think that even the worst of people would deserve that. Maybe a certain amount of time. But FOREVER?

Like i said i really love God and i dont doubt him. What i doubt is the interpretations we might have of him. I doubt that maybe man has made mistakes in understanding his word.

Please help me i dont know what to do.

 

[Eucharisted]

Saint Faustina once asked Jesus if He was an illusion and He replied, “My Love can deceive no one.”

Go to Jesus in the Tabernalce and spend as much time with Him as you can. It takes eyes of faith to see Jesus in the Eucharist. Ask Him for faith.

 

[CristusRex]

Plus EVERYONE sins. What happens if even though you might be a good catholic you get killed on your way to confession? You go to hell!

This is not exact. Our faith tell us a perfect contrition can be a substitute of the confession. Nevertheless, one must be extremely unwise to delay his sacramental confession of sins, thinking he will do an act of perfect contrition one second before his death. Even for catholics with a good exercice of the faith, an act of perfect contrition is difficult, because what we name “perfect contrition” is usually an imperfect one.

Thoughts about suicide are not sins, but are temptations. The Act of Contrition teach us what we must do when facing a temptation: flee from there. Pray and dare ask God to help you to fight against temptations, because after the Fall, we can nomore bear this fight from our own.

 

[Rualve]

My heart goes out to you. In the past, due to some painful health issues, I considered suicide to escape the pain.
Then it occured to me that death might not end the pain. I don’t know about hell, but what if there’s an afterlife in which things we learn in this one will be useful?
Another thought I had was this–someday I will get my wish to die. Win, lose, or draw, we all die someday. So what’s the rush?
So I focussed in why I wanted to die at that particular time and tried to deal with those issues. I went to a doctor for treatment of my health issues, and found ways to relieve the physical pain. Once this was gone, my desire to die ended.
The human brain is an organ, and like your kidneys, it can develope problems. There are many treatments for depression. Regular exercise can relieve mild depression. For more severe depression there are support groups, and medications.
As for theology, consider this. God is a spirit that’s larger and older than this universe, and has more dimensions than we do. There’s no way a three-dimensional protoplasm brain can really understand such a being. We do know that this being cared enough for us take on a three-dimensional body and die for us. We do know that we’re loved.
Pray to God for help with your problems. It helped me with my situation. I’m sure it will help you with yours.

 

[yinekka]

If you are feeling really depressed you must go to your doctor and get some antidepressants. The antidepressants will make you feel happier and you will be able to think more clearly. The antidepressants won’t work immediately but they will work and you will feel happier.

The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago. The Baptist Church was founded in 1605, it is not the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

This is what the Catholic church teaches about suicide.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

2282 Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. the Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.

You have a lot of ideas about what the Church teaches about suicide which aren’t true. **The Church leaves it up to God to decide what happens to a person who has committed suicide **because only God knows that mind and heart of a person and you can’t commit a serious sin if you aren’t well in your mind because you can’t give full consent to the sin.

Only God can forgive sin, that is correct. God forgives sin in confession through the priest. We know that Jesus wanted the priests to forgive sins in His Name because in John chapter 20 verse 23 we read Jesus said to the apostles “Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them and whose sins you shall retain they are retained”. The power to forgive or retain sins was handed down by the apostles to the bishops to the priests. The priest has to hear the sin because he has to know which sins to retain and which to forgive.

Just because you ‘feel something is right’ doesn’t mean that it is right because feelings are not a good guide to whether something is right or wrong. If I feel that it is right to steal someone’s car would that make it right?

Does it mean that non catholics who ask God for forgiveness are never forgiven even though they can be really sorry?

Non Catholics and Catholic too, who make a perfect act of contrition - sorrow for sin because they offend God - can be forgiven of their sins. It is difficult to know if our sorrow for sin is really only because they offend God, maybe we are also afraid of punishment - that is called imperfect contrition. When a Catholic goes to confession whether he has perfect or imperfect contrition he knows his sins are forgiven.

What happens if even though you might be a good catholic you get killed on your way to confession? You go to hell
How do you know that? You have a very dark idea of God’s love and mercy.
I also dont know why God would allow anyone to burn for eternity.*

God gave people free will. If a person has chosen a life which was the exact opposite of being in friendship with God then that person chose not to be with God when they died. The person chose by their life what they really loved and it wasn’t God. If a person knows that leading a certain kind of life leads them away from God should God force that person to be with Him for all eternity? God does not force anyone to love Him and choose Him even though He wants everyone to be with Him for all eternity.

 

[elGatofelix]

Thank you for your replies

I am taking anti depressants and currently i have no more thoughts of suicide. But once in a while they can come back.

Only God can forgive sin, that is correct. God forgives sin in confession through the priest. We know that Jesus wanted the priests to forgive sins in His Name because in John chapter 20 verse 23 we read Jesus said to the apostles “Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them and whose sins you shall retain they are retained”. The power to forgive or retain sins was handed down by the apostles to the bishops to the priests. The priest has to hear the sin because he has to know which sins to retain and which to forgive.

But that doesnt mean God cant forgive by just asking him. And i know one can do an act of contrition that might be good enough to help.

Just because you ‘feel something is right’ doesn’t mean that it is right because feelings are not a good guide to whether something is right or wrong. If I feel that it is right to steal someone’s car would that make it right?

But stealing someones car is obviously something wrong. Inside we all have a feeling of whats right and wrong. Its sort of an instinct. If i feel inside my heart that maybe this other faith is my way to get to God would he hold it against me? The reason i would be doing it would be because i thought that would be the best way to get to him. Not because i wanted to move away from him. Thats my fear.

What happens if even though you might be a good catholic you get killed on your way to confession? You go to hell
How do you know that? You have a very dark idea of God’s love and mercy.

Because dont catholics beleive that if you die with mortal sin you go to hell? I dont have a dark view of it. I think of God as just love. Which is why i doubt God would allow someone to go to hell forever just because they didnt get to go to confession or because they killed themselves. Thats the whole point of my thread. That i feel God is too good to allow some of the things ive learned about in my religion to happen.

I also dont know why God would allow anyone to burn for eternity.

God gave people free will. If a person has chosen a life which was the exact opposite of being in friendship with God then that person chose not to be with God when they died. The person chose by their life what they really loved and it wasn’t God. If a person knows that leading a certain kind of life leads them away from God should God force that person to be with Him for all eternity? God does not force anyone to love Him and choose Him even though He wants everyone to be with Him for all eternity.

Yes i know that. But why would God allow ANYONE to burn for eternity? I know some poeple might not choose the direction to God but why does that make them burn for ever? Maybe let them disapear or something. But why an eternity of misery? Why does God let hell exist in the first place?

Ive always been a strong catholic btw. And i love God even though i fail him very often. Thats because im weak not because i dont love him. And i always feel sorry for the things i do. And i know he knows that.

 

[Wowbagger]

You know, I’m right on the way to bed, so I won’t be writing a lengthy reply, but this post struck such a chord with me I felt the need to say something.

I had a friend commit suicide a couple months ago. To say this was hard on me–on everyone who knew him–would be an understatement. It was a complete shock to us all… this boy was friends, it seemed, with half the world, very talented, very ambitious… very young.

I ended up, obviously, thinking a great deal about the Church’s teaching on suicide. Yes, it is a grave matter, so, yes, it can, like any grave matter, be committed as a mortal sin. But I’ve come to the conclusion that this must happen very rarely. To be a mortal sin requires full knowledge and full consent of the will–and full consent of the will means that it has to be a free choice made free of pain, of fear, of mental instability… all those things that cause people to commit suicide in the first place. Basically, to commit a mortal sin, you have to be of sound mind at the time, and I think that, for 99.9% of suicide cases, the very fact that they killed themselves shows that they weren’t of sound mind at the time!

A long stay of purgatory is ahead of them, yes, but eternal damnation? I dare not presume on the justice or mercy of God… but I sincerely doubt it. I, for one, am not worried about Eric anymore. Pissed off at him, definitely. Will I deck him when I get to Heaven? Probably (and he’ll deserve it). Do I miss him? Heck yeah. I’m still praying for him (not as much as I should be), but I’m not worried about him as you’re worried about the people you know. I advise that you trust in God’s mercy towards those who foolishly throw away His greatest gift.

I would say more about your other worries (with regard to Hellfire: my mother always said, “The Church teaches there’s a Hell, but it doesn’t teach that there’s anybody in there!” and this can be a comforting reflection), but it is 5 AM and I really need some sleep. Hopefully others will charitably correct some of your misunderstandings about what the Church teaches regarding sin, forgiveness, and damnation.

Trust in God. Trust the Church. Keep the Faith. And God Bless.

-W.

 

[windmelody]

Hello everyone this is only my second post but i come here and read once in a while.

I have been depressed for years now but especially recently. During my depression many times i have considered suicide. But it crushed my heart that i would go to hell.

I have a hard time with this if you commit suicide you go to hell thing. It makes me want to cry. Especially because there are so many who commit suicide now. I know God himself sends no one to hell but one does with the sins one commits. But why is suicide a sin? People who commit suicide are trying to stop the pain. Would God really allow someone who wants to stop the suffering to go to hell?

Maybe if they had other sins yes but lets say its someone who has no sins and is recently confessed. They would still go to hell. This really makes me want to cry.

The time i considered suicide i wanted to rest and just go to God already. But that would never happen. I think God would not do that. I really think that God can understand that some people cant take it anymore. I dont think he would send them to hell.

Recently some people from the baptist church came to my house and told me that no one can forgive but God. And that accepting Jesus is all there is. I have considered becoming a baptist because i feel it is the right way.

I know there is a chance non catholics can reach salvations if they dont know the catholic teaching and feel that their religion is the right way to get to God. Well i sort of feel this is the right way. And i feel God is calling me through this religion because i have been having so many thoughts. But i DO know the catholic teachings. But i just feel that this other religion might be the right way.

I really feel that just feeling sorry and asking for Gods forgiveness is the right way. Why is it necessary to tell a priest? Does it mean that non catholics who ask God for forgiveness are never forgiven even though they can be really sorry?

I dont know im so confused. Ive cried alot already. I dont know what to do. And knowing about so many people who commit suicide. And to think they are all burning in hell for EVER AND EVER AND EVER just because they were in pain. I dont know what to think anymore.

I love God. And i know that i mess up often and i feel so sorry right now that i want to cry. And i know God knows that. So why cant he just forgive me himself? I really think he can.

Plus EVERYONE sins. What happens if even though you might be a good catholic you get killed on your way to confession? You go to hell! I dont think God would allow that.

I also dont know why God would allow anyone to burn for eternity. I dont think that even the worst of people would deserve that. Maybe a certain amount of time. But FOREVER?

Like i said i really love God and i dont doubt him. What i doubt is the interpretations we might have of him. I doubt that maybe man has made mistakes in understanding his word.

Please help me i dont know what to do.

Hi!

I remember one quote, and it goes like this… “Problems don’t come in single file, they come in battalion.” Have you heard the story of Job? He was once lived a very perfect life. Then all of a sudden He lost everything.

God never tries us beyond what we are able to suffer.

Actually, I am also in the state of confusion or maybe suffering (I don’t want to call it depression, coz’ I hate that word). I surf the net, searching some spiritual enlightenment; and found the CAF website. I read all the inspiring posts and it leads me to search about my faith until the spirit leads me to the diary of St. Faustina.

Try to read it. It is very enlightening. I found strength and revival of my spirit while reading it. Here is the link….our.homewithgod.com/divinemercy/book1page2/

God Bless!

 

[seraphime2008]

Perhaps hell described as eternal burn was only a metaphor of a condition when you’re a stranger in afterlife, if you’re totally alienated from God because you choose not to have an intimate relationship with God by knowing Him or to deliberately oppose Him
It’s an unchanged condition or eternal since you have all the opportunity to know and love Him when you’re still alive

 

[kyria]

Inside of us there is a child that sometimes needs healing from the past, and a darkness that is trying to stop us from finding and reaching the light and the truth. For some we think that darkness is so overpowering we think the only way out is to suicide. But it is the darkness that needs to be let out and the light let in more.

Sometimes during that darkness we question many things, and ask many whys. The darkness tries to distract us away from his Love for us, and His power to heal us. But a positive can come from that questioning, because via that questioning we are seeking to better understand the workings of God, and as we question he hears those petitions. As we sink into darkness sometimes, know he is there with us.

Let the light in with Faith, Hope and Love. Let Him heal the darkness and guide you to a greater understanding of His Word and who he is. The bible is His Word. Man might not understand every part of it, but the Church guides us to the Truth of the bible if we are prepared to have Faith in Christ and prepared to fight the darkness. And one way we fight the darkness is via Confession.

I found many excuses not to partake of that sacrament. One of them was why did I need to when I could repent direct to God. But one day I went when my daughter did her Reconciliation, and I felt the Holy Spirit enter my heart. Another time I was grumbling and he willed me to go. He got me to see that Confession was a tool to help me let some of that darkness out bit by bit and heal me. He taught me to believe and trust. He showed me He loved me and helped me understand why I had to experience periods of depression, periods of questioning if this was right or wrong, if this had been interpreted correctly or not, if we really did need to partake of the sacraments.

I am one of the most stubborn women ever born, and if He could show me the Way, Truth and Light, then I have Faith he can help and show you. Put it up to God and let Him lead you home, to a greater understanding of that Truth and to Him, not just in your heart, but in your soul and in your thoughts and mind and let Him help you with your Faith.

Instead of focusing on hell, try focusing on Heaven more, and focusing on Him. When we try and justify hell and who might go there or not, we are allowing the darkness to stop us from fearing the Lord, and we are giving in to the tactics of Satan as he would love nothing better for you to give up on yourself and give up on the fight for your soul to get to Heaven.

He is prepared to fight for you. He loves you very much. But how prepared are you to fight for Him and to be with Him? How much are you prepared to stop justifying why we confess to priests and instead embrace the gift of Confession he gave the Church?

He died for you. He didn’t give up on us. He hasn’t given up on you. Let his Love for you become your Faith in Him.

 

[Epoxy]

I read a very interesting book once, by Max Lucado. John 3:16

1. Take the Bible
2. Read John 3:16
3. Take a deep breath and pray.

That quote is so simple yet powerful enough to weather nearly 2000 years of storms.

 

[janw]

I know exactly how you feel as I have suffered from depression off and on my entire life. I am now in my mid 50’s and have learned how to deal with the problem much better than when I was young. Its an awful thing to deal with when your young. Your also dealing with so many growing up issues at the same time, it can be overwhelming.

One thing I have learned is not to make any important decisions while your going through this, stay in the situation your in as much as possible until this goes away and it will in time. Prayer is great for depression. Pray even when you don’t feel like praying and keep praying even if you think its not doing any good. You will see results if you continue.

I am a former Baptist ( for 40 years) and after many years of study realized many of their beliefs are not in line with what our Bible teaches. They do not have the Eucharist. They do not believe the bread and wine is the true body of Christ. They have communion and throw out the left overs as it is only symbolic in their view.

The greatest peace I have ever found is sitting before the Eucharist. Please try this as much as possible. If your not, please try to get involved in a group of any kind at church. A study group or a youth group that does things to help others, it will do wonders for you.

My biggest regret is not seeking counseling when I was young. Find a good counselor and if you don’t relate well to him/her, go to a different one and be very honest. Sometimes seeking the cause of the problem is the best answer. I’ve never had much luck with prescription drugs but I know for some they work really well, but if there is a problem other than physical causing your depression they will only cover it up and not get rid of the problem.

You can and most likely will have a great life. I tried suicide and was unsuccessful or I should say God stepped in and saved me and I am so thankful. I’ve had so many good years of life since then and I have him to thank for that. I know he doesn’t always step in but only he knows the reasons. My point is life has been great most of the time since then and I’m so glad I’m alive and you will feel the same way years down the road.

Will remember you in my prayers and wish you the best in life.

Your sister in Christ, Janice

p.s. keep a silly smile on your face, believe it or not it makes you feel more happy.

 

[AliciaCL]

Do you know Father Groeschel? He has a show on EWTN television on Sunday nights. I think it’s called just Sunday Night Live. EWTN is also on the internet. Father Groeschel is a Franciscan Brother of the Renewal, and also a psychologist. At the end of the program he takes questions and I’ve heard questions several times from people suffering from suicidal ideation. You know what the number one treatment is? Do some kind of charitable work for others. It can be anything. One day help serving in a soup kitchen, the tiniest thing, like helping a neighbor with groceries, even something as simple as holding a door open for someone who is unable to get into a building by themselves, whether disabled or carrying too much stuff. Find something that’s regular if you can. The simplest gesture can automatically make you feel different, better, worthwhile. You can build upon that. Also exercise, walking or something more strenuous is helpful. These are two grossly underestimated, humanly, natural ways to combat suicidal ideation. Father Groeschel also has written a ton of books and somewhere addresses the suicidal question. You may need to ask the EWTN catalog book people to help you figure which one(s) might help. This affliction could well be something that can be turned into a help for others who suffer similarly. Suicide hurts the person, families, society, organizations, corporations, the military, people you have never met, and on and on. It’s just a cross but you have already reached out so grasp that hand and go on.

 

[Layman]

My opinons only. I’m not a religious or clergyman:

Re: Hell and burning.

I think it’s in the Bible that that’s what happens to ‘vines who don’t bear fruit’; they get put on a bonfire.

Take the opposite case: how could someone who liked doing evil things bear to be in the luminescent company of Jesus and the Heavenly Host? Good people can’t bear to be in the company of evil people and I dare say vice-versa.

Where do you put such creatures after the death of their bodies?

Plus, it’s partly that God, having given them every chance, says: “Right, that’s it, I’ve had enough of you, you’ve had your chance, begone!”.

And down to Hell they go.

A bit like a long-suffering parent getting fed up of dealing with their drug-addict, thieving son and chucking him out of the house, so he won’t trouble the rest of the family, perhaps?

Not something that’s likely to happen to someone who does their best to live according to the Gospels and Church teachings.

I think Hell was made automatically when the Angels rebelled. It ‘appeared’ so as to ‘house’ them.

 

[daughteroftruth]

Like i said i really love God and i dont doubt him. What i doubt is the interpretations we might have of him. I doubt that maybe man has made mistakes in understanding his word.

Please help me i dont know what to do.

“If you love Me you will obey Me.”
“Thou shalt not kill.”

We cannot know the final destination of anyone because only God knows the heart, why someone did what they did, did they have full consent of the will, how aware they are, etc. We have to persevere. When I suffer, I sometimes wonder how much, when Christ fell, did He want to just lay where He dropped and let the soldiers beat Him to death. He didn’t give up though, He persevered as an example to us. Life is not ours to take, it is His. He will always provide a way out that does not require you to sin. He ***never ***gives more than we can handle. If you’re suffering, there’s a reason for it, and persevering in faith and trust will only make you stronger.

Damnation is an inconvenient truth, but a truth nonetheless. The next time you’re near despair, unite it with His suffering for those who are in danger of damnation resulting from suicide. I know this is easier said than done, I’ve had my share of depression. It’s miserable…the indifference you feel, the lack of hope, the hate towards God for not “allowing” you to end your suffering, for Him not ending your suffering…I understand. Carry on. It’s hard, but it isn’t impossible. The devil will tempt you in the beginning, but if you persevere through his temptations, and unite these sufferings with His for the conversion of sinners, the temptations will stop because he (the devil) will realize he’s defeating his purpose. I hope this all makes sense, I’m a little scatterbrained this morning. Pray, pray, pray. Call religious orders and ask for prayer, it will help. Have Masses offered for yourself. I will remember you in my prayers.

 

[elGatofelix]

Hello everyone, thank you very much for your replies!

I ended up, obviously, thinking a great deal about the Church’s teaching on suicide. Yes, it is a grave matter, so, yes, it can, like any grave matter, be committed as a mortal sin. But I’ve come to the conclusion that this must happen very rarely. To be a mortal sin requires full knowledge and full consent of the will–and full consent of the will means that it has to be a free choice made free of pain, of fear, of mental instability… all those things that cause people to commit suicide in the first place. Basically, to commit a mortal sin, you have to be of sound mind at the time, and I think that, for 99.9% of suicide cases, the very fact that they killed themselves shows that they weren’t of sound mind at the time!

This is what i think too. People who commit suicide are not doing it just because. They are in serious pain. They might not be thinking right etc. I think God in that situation would not send them to burn. I think God would understand completley. God knows all and you can bet he knows of the pain and fear inside the hearts of those people. So i very much doubt God would send them to hell for ever.

My thing is that i can feel Gods love like i can feel the love of my mother. I know how good God is. And sometimes with the things i hear they make me think God doesnt understand sometimes or that he is mean. But i know thats not true. Maybe sometimes it can be a misunderstanding of what WE think of him.

Let the light in with Faith, Hope and Love. Let Him heal the darkness and guide you to a greater understanding of His Word and who he is.

I am letting my faith come into me and guide me. So thats why im trying to discover more about him. Like i said I love God very much.

When we try and justify hell and who might go there or not, we are allowing the darkness to stop us from fearing the Lord

This is another thing i have a hard time understanding. Is when we say FEAR God. Is fear meant differently? Or are we supposed to be scared of God?

I dont want to be scared of God i want to love him. I want him to be the one that when i fall so hard i can keep running back to him and hug him and cry infront of him until i cant cry anymore. I dont want to fear him. I want to obey him because i love him not because im scared of what might happen. I think thats the reason we should ALL follow his laws. Thats what a good contrition is. Feeling sorry because you hurt him and not because you are scared.

I think it’s in the Bible that that’s what happens to ‘vines who don’t bear fruit’; they get put on a bonfire.

Take the opposite case: how could someone who liked doing evil things bear to be in the luminescent company of Jesus and the Heavenly Host? Good people can’t bear to be in the company of evil people and I dare say vice-versa.

Where do you put such creatures after the death of their bodies?

But not exactly everyone who sins is evil. Everyone makes mistakes. Like if someone ha sa mortal sin but dies before confessing they would go to hell. This doesnt mean that they are an evil person who cant stand being with the good. They were just well…human.

Thanks again for your replies everyone ive read them all 2 times.

 

[seraphime2008]

I think you can learn something by reading Mother Teresa’s book “Come be my Light”. I was also helped by the story because she was not always in the condition that enabled her to see God present in her life. She said it was terribly dark and dry. She moved on. So conclusion is, as she said, to believe that we are all actually called not to succeed in every battle in our life, but to be faithful.

I am also not en expert or person who can explain all the teaching f the RCC, just a layperson trying to grasp the essence or to understand the instrument as in confession of sins, given in our church to help people reconcile with their own conscience and contrition. I believe that when a person really feel sorry and regret for the wrongdoing, he can always be sure God who knows all will forgive him. I also believe that even though one go for confession but he didn’t really regret or contrite his sin, it will be meaningless. I believe also that one confession should also be followed by rebuilding the relationship with the people that you hurt by your wrongdoing and of course with God. Otherwise we fail to see the meaning of contrition.

To say that every Christian knowing God so well, will just be saved because God love them too much will also mean that we are not taught to bear responsibility. That’s why the Catholic church believes and teaches that there’s one condition called purgatory, which I believe is a condition for the soul afterlife to get the time for understanding and contrite what mistakes they have made, and I thought it is not a dreadful place and situation to get even with them with punishment.

Well … just my thought.

 

[AliciaCL]

It may also be helpful to read through Pope John Paul II’s papal letter on Salvific Doloris or Redemptive Suffering. It’s fairly detailed with a lot of biblical references. In short, it explains how a person’s suffering has redemptive value for that person or for others, if you “offer it up.” Mental suffering can be every bit as redemptive as physical pain. The document is found at:

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris_en.html

Another very inspirinig illustration of this is set out in the Diary of Sister Faustina, one of the most profound books I ever read. Christ and Mary appear to her many many times and she is shaped by Christ to suffer His sufferings in order to provide salvation for other souls. She experiences His passion while living as a cloistered nun, unbeknownst to others around her, silently. As Christ’s secretary, she records Christ’s directions for her to suffer for other souls and she is told that her suffering allowed many souls into heaven. This should convince you that you have been given a gift in a way. Don’t wallow in your pain, use it.

Finally, one last inspriational book is by Eli Wiesel, Knight , which tells of his experiences surviving a Nazi concentration camp, helping his father, who dies at the end of the war when they are let loose with the approaching Allied Forces. He survived, lost his family and lived on to this day, working for peace.

Do get some kind of professional counselor too, if you can but you can make it. YOur burden is heavy indeed but take one baby step at a time. Best to you. Let us know how you are doing.

 

[Malkin71]

Ask St, Dymphna to intercede for you.
She is the Patron Saint of Nervous and mental disorders.

www.franciscanmissionassoc.org

I will say a prayer for you for strength.

 

[Lainey63]

Please continue to take your meds & get help. I don’t know if you’re a man or a woman but if you are female this could be hormone related as well. I also have a history of depression counseling helps, so does exercise. Exercise gets the endorphines flowing and helps you clear your head. As far as your faith goes use all these things in combination. For me going to Mass helps alot and saying the Rosary. When I get down I love to go to the garden with Jesus just kneel next to Him and hold his hand. Another thing to do is try to help another person-it gets you out of yourself. Right now you are carrying a heavy cross, pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Think about the Footprints prayer, when you feel that you are alone know that is when God is closest to you. Remember you are loved and you will be missed sorely. Try being grateful start wherever you can, when you’re depressed I know that cleaning a room can be real hard-if you can get half the room done or you have food or your first cup of coffee is good, just say thank you God. Also, take it easy on yourself-depression is an illness-there are things actually going on inside your body doing this to you. Just like if you have the flu or a broken bone. I attemped suicide twice in my life when I was 13 then when I was 18. The second time I almost suceeded and what saved me was I truley got the fear of God in me immediately after I sliced my wrist. I swear even to this day I heard my condemnation cause it was loud. The pain of depression is great but we have to find another answer, one that isn’t so final. Fortunately, there is alot help available to us-use it. Today I am so grateful and happy when I wake up. Never did I think that I would wake up happy, never did I think I would feel love & peace. I’m praying for you.