Question about 'feeling' the holy spirit

[CourtneyAnn]

I’m currently 23, but when I was a young teen, maybe 13 or 14, I remember laying in bed and reading my mom’s bible.

I read the book of revelation, and I still remember how much it scared me. My parents were somewhat lapsed Catholics at this time, and we hadn’t been to church in a while, or really lived a very holy life. There were things I knew I had done that constituted mortal sin, and while reading about the punishments for those who had sinned, I was overcome with a great fear that I was going to go to hell. I remember laying in bed crying because I was sure that I was going to go to hell for the things I had done. (things like lying, cheating, and masturbation.) I felt a great sense of shame.

I can’t really explain the feeling, but I remember feeling the greatest peace come over me. I had never felt anything like it before and I haven’t felt anything like it since. It felt very comforting, like something telling me everything was going to be okay. All of the fear and anxiety I had just washed away and I couldn’t feel anything but peace. Even though that was about ten years ago, I still remember that feeling perfectly.

I’ve since returned to the faith, in large part because of that experience that I still can’t explain, and I am wondering if that could be attributed to the holy spirit? And if so, is it possible to experience the holy spirit while in a state of mortal sin?

 

[dmftx]

I think so…after all, it was God that got me through the worst moment in my life and I definitely don’t believe I was free of sin at the time. God is here for us ALL the time but WE have to open ourselves to Him.

Remember that sense of peace and overwhelming love that you felt - it will get you through anything. Don’t forget to thank him every day for his mercy!

 

[AndrewRuki]

Peace be with you sister CourtneyAnn.

What a lovely feeling. It is like receiving an embrace from your most loving Father. In fact, that is what is it.

I am sure that many would have felt the same. I know I have. It was at a time in my life, similar to that you described. It does change your life when it happens. I say embrace it and let the Holy Spirit change your life for the better, like He did to me.

This happens to everyone, sometime or another. You feel it more, the further you are from God. It is like you recognize the light more, when you are in darkness. I am extremely happy for you.

Dominus vobiscum.
Andrew

 

[spedteacherita]

Peace be with you sister CourtneyAnn.

What a lovely feeling. It is like receiving an embrace from your most loving Father. In fact, that is what is it.

I am sure that many would have felt the same. I know I have. It was at a time in my life, similar to that you described. It does change your life when it happens. I say embrace it and let the Holy Spirit change your life for the better, like He did to me.

This happens to everyone, sometime or another. You feel it more, the further you are from God. It is like you recognize the light more, when you are in darkness. I am extremely happy for you.

Dominus vobiscum.
Andrew

Oh, yes, we all have that time where the Holy Spirit fills us and we feel that. I know for me that came when I first understood God’s love for me thru Jesus. What a special time for me. It was also the time when I was also baptized as an adult. What I didn’t realize was that my life as it was would return except that I was a Chrisitian. I had the great blessing to be able to go to a small Christian Lutheran College not too long after my baptism so that I was able to expand the “feeling” by growing in God’s grace with other young Christians. Inevitably, I was to experience life as it was before but I had Christ as my anchor. Thanks for bringing those beautiful memories back to me!!