Really struggling with Masterbation

[system]

Dear All

A few weeks ago I posted that I was trying to overcome an addiction to Masterbation. I can go (with a lot of difficulty) up to a week and then I Masterbate.
I have also looked at pornography and Masterbated while watching it which I have never really done befour. I have confessed it and have lasted two days but am starting to feel very “turned on” a lot of the time.
I’m 18 years old and was hoping my hormones would have settled down a bit by now but if anything it’s getting worse. (I have spoken to my Spiritual Director about this).

 

[bobballen_18]

Well, what has your spiritual director told you?

 

[JABA]

Dear All

A few weeks ago I posted that I was trying to overcome an addiction to Masterbation. I can go (with a lot of difficulty) up to a week and then I Masterbate.
I have also looked at pornography and Masterbated while watching it which I have never really done befour. I have confessed it and have lasted two days but am starting to feel very “turned on” a lot of the time.
I’m 18 years old and was hoping my hormones would have settled down a bit by now but if anything it’s getting worse. (I have spoken to my Spiritual Director about this).

Masturbation, just like any addiction can be overcome. You just have to be willing to stop and change your perception of sexual expression that it is something reserved for marriage and not as method to give useless pleasure to yourself. If you constantly tell this to yourself, masturbation starts to seem a really retarded and pointless practice to do.

When I myself feel tempted, I try to do something that will take my mind off the masturbation urges, like another pleasure. I find that listening to trance music really helps cut down any urges.

I myself have come to a conclusion through the years, that the biggest cause of harm to yourself and others are emotions. Try to limit your emotions or urges dictating your actions or choices. Always question yourself, is this the logical course of action. Life is so much easier this way.

 

[zz912]

Just like any other temptation, it can be overcome. But it is tricky in this day and age because sex is sold around every corner and in every advertisement we see.

Pray
Make sure you keep going to Confession and speak with your Spiritual Director.
Get some exercise and go outside (fresh air and exercise can help with bodily stress)
Don’t spend long periods of time alone if possible.
Read and watch good books/programs that lift the human spirit.
Read your Bible.
Pray some more
Go to Adoration
Pray some more
And know that God loves you, will help you overcome this, and will love you and welcome you home when you fall.
Pray some more

 

[mountee]

Just like any other temptation, it can be overcome. But it is tricky in this day and age because sex is sold around every corner and in every advertisement we see.

Pray
Make sure you keep going to Confession and speak with your Spiritual Director.
Get some exercise and go outside (fresh air and exercise can help with bodily stress)
Don’t spend long periods of time alone if possible.
Read and watch good books/programs that lift the human spirit.
Read your Bible.
Pray some more
Go to Adoration
Pray some more
And know that God loves you, will help you overcome this, and will love you and welcome you home when you fall.
Pray some more

Well said!

 

[awsiukiewicz]

I would like to ditto what ZZ912 just suggested…pray pray pray…I mentioned before when you brought this up…get out of the house…I don’t know what you do student/work…or both…or what…but sounds like you have a lot of time around the house…get out…but go the gym…YMCA maybe…I don’t know if you are actually reading some of the comments mentioned on this thread…but it’s some good stuff…read what people are telling you…I suggested reading St. Augustine’s ‘Confessions’ may be a little heavy for you…not necessarily an easy read but it helped me…if all you do is hang around the house your setting yourself up for trouble…stay busy…stay busy…redirect your thinking…if you don’t have a Rosary…get one…and keep it in your hand…pray the Rosary…pray…usually when we do ugly things we are not in the light…try picture yourself with people you love and respect wathcing you…I’m trying to help…can you tell…I’m trying to be kind and loving…but I honeslty feel that if you aren’t going to take some of the suggestiong offered here…(not necessarily mine)…then it’s not going to help you to change sinful behavior…I think most young men , myself included…have engaged in this practice at some point in time…but you can overcome this preoccupation if you work on it…I’m praying for you…sounds like you really want it…but PRAY…and STAY BUSY

 

[JRKH]

Dear All

A few weeks ago I posted that I was trying to overcome an addiction to Masterbation. I can go (with a lot of difficulty) up to a week and then I Masterbate.
I have also looked at pornography and Masterbated while watching it which I have never really done befour. I have confessed it and have lasted two days but am starting to feel very “turned on” a lot of the time.
I’m 18 years old and was hoping my hormones would have settled down a bit by now but if anything it’s getting worse. (I have spoken to my Spiritual Director about this).

Well - about the best we can say is to keep struggling and be guided by your spiritual adviser.

I have a standard offering that I give on such threads as this - maybe I did on your previous thread…I don’t know…but I will offer it (again) here…

I developed a “visual prayer”…After all, if we can “visualize” toward lust - why not “visualize” away from it…
So I prayed, “Father, take me to the foot of the cross”, and then began thinking, visualizing myself there. Gazing on the scene of the one who died for my sins.
Hot, dry, dusty day.
The foot of the cross buried in the ground.
The wood of the cross stained black from blood and sweat.
The feet of our Lord.
Filthy and stained and dripping blood and sweat.
I did this - I put Him there - Not alone - but I helped.
Every time I sin, it is increases His pain.
If I refrain, it eases His pain.
Feel the heat of that day, the dryness of the air.
How thirsty He is…
…and so on…

How could I possibly sin while standing at the foot of the cross.

As a corollary to the idea of our sin putting Him there, consider how his cross is the accumulation of our sins. Each time we sin, the cross gets heavier…Each time we resist sin, the cross gets lighter.

Peace
James

 

[Wambui]

Hi. The first step to recovery is accepting that you need help and this is already a sign that you can win this battle.

1. Try not to be idle and alone. The devil is overjoyed when you are idle and alone.

This is when you will be most tempted. If you are in school i guess your school work will keep you busy but if you are
at home then you need to find something to do. Be it cooking,

art,sports, or even reading(
good novels of course)
2. Pray the rosary or if you are not able to at least pray 3 Hail marys every day. Our mother cannot stand and watch you falling in impuruty. If you beg her she will give you purity.
Personally this is how I say mine:
Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus,Holy Mary mother of God,queen of all virgins and saints pray that I may be pure now and at the hour of my death, Amen.
Also join our group!Its called Impurity addicts support group(I dont have the links right now though if you search it you will find it)
We supprt each other and Iam sure you will benefit

 

[bobballen_18]

So, people have suggested exercise as something to distract you from your urge/desire. I just want to add to that - if you can’t make it to a gym or don’t go out on runs or something, you could do something for just like a minute or two and it may distract you sufficiently. For example, I can remember a specifc instance when I was being strongly tempted to masturbate, and I just decided to go outside my house and sprint around my yard. It was just like 15 seconds, but once I was done, the desire was basically gone (along with my breath…haha). You could try that too.