Sexual Purity

[CompSciGuy]

I’ve struggled with temptations like pornography etc. for a while and the past year seemed like it was really hard to fight it. No matter how hard I tried I felt like I couldn’t overcome the temptation and regularly fell into it. I have been praying a lot more over the past few months and now I haven’t fallen into this temptation for 6 and a half weeks, this is the longest I’ve gone in over a year without giving into temptation. I’ve been frequenting confession and Eucharist and I’m in an accountability group and have several accountability partners and have developed a strong friendship with them and the other men in that group, since we are open with each other. I am deeply encouraged by my success with this and I feel like my relationship with God has greatly improved. I don’t struggle with feeling like God is angry with me anymore. I am not sure what to attribute it to, maybe I’ve been more faithful in receiving God’s sacraments and going before God in prayer, maybe I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for life and a stronger sense of community with other people that helps me to have an increased sense of worth and feel less isolated. Also last month I had a life threatening experience that I think shook me enough to realize that life is sweet and I should use it to do good things and not give into despair, fear and hopelessness. I’m still kind of worried because I know the devil is always there looking to tempt us and make us stumble and I know that by no means is this struggle over yet, no matter how long it’s been or how strong I feel I am. So I’ve been really careful about not putting myself in situations where I am likely to be tempted. But I’m so much more motivated now. I feel like God is blessing me abundantly, I haven’t felt so strong, resilient, happy in a long time. I really want to be done with this problem once and for all.

 

[E_7]

I have been praying a lot more over the past few months and now I haven’t fallen into this temptation for 6 and a half weeks, this is the longest I’ve gone in over a year without giving into temptation. I’ve been frequenting confession and Eucharist and I’m in an accountability group and have several accountability partners and have developed a strong friendship with them and the other men in that group, since we are open with each other. I am deeply encouraged by my success with this and I feel like my relationship with God has greatly improved. I don’t struggle with feeling like God is angry with me anymore. I am not sure what to attribute it to, maybe I’ve been more faithful in receiving God’s sacraments and going before God in prayer, maybe I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for life and a stronger sense of community with other people that helps me to have an increased sense of worth and feel less isolated. Also last month I had a life threatening experience that I think shook me enough to realize that life is sweet and I should use it to do good things and not give into despair, fear and hopelessness. I’m still kind of worried because I know the devil is always there looking to tempt us and make us stumble and I know that by no means is this struggle over yet, no matter how long it’s been or how strong I feel I am. So I’ve been really careful about not putting myself in situations where I am likely to be tempted. But I’m so much more motivated now. I feel like God is blessing me abundantly, I haven’t felt so strong, resilient, happy in a long time. I really want to be done with this problem once and for all.

Also, there is your Guardian Angel, St. Michael and Our Lady guarding you and patting your shoulder, leading your way through holiness. God works in mysterious ways, I always say. You’re here in this world for a reason, God sent his son to die for you so you can be forgiven and, what do you do to say thanks? you pray and do mortification, you fight and do well and try not to fall in love with sin.

✟O my God✟,
✟I am heartily sorry for✟
✟having offended Thee,✟
✟and I detest all my sins,✟
✟because I dread the loss of heaven,✟
✟and the pains of hell;✟
✟but most of all because✟
✟they offend Thee, my God,✟
✟Who are all good and✟
✟deserving of all my love.✟
✟I firmly resolve,✟
✟with the help of Thy grace✟
✟to confess my sins,✟
✟to do penance✟
✟and to amend my life.✟

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I’ve struggled with temptations like pornography etc. for a while and the past year seemed like it was really hard to fight it. No matter how hard I tried I felt like I couldn’t overcome the temptation and regularly fell into it. I have been praying a lot more over the past few months and now I haven’t fallen into this temptation for 6 and a half weeks, this is the longest I’ve gone in over a year without giving into temptation. I’ve been frequenting confession and Eucharist and I’m in an accountability group and have several accountability partners and have developed a strong friendship with them and the other men in that group, since we are open with each other. I am deeply encouraged by my success with this and I feel like my relationship with God has greatly improved. I don’t struggle with feeling like God is angry with me anymore. I am not sure what to attribute it to, maybe I’ve been more faithful in receiving God’s sacraments and going before God in prayer, maybe I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for life and a stronger sense of community with other people that helps me to have an increased sense of worth and feel less isolated. Also last month I had a life threatening experience that I think shook me enough to realize that life is sweet and I should use it to do good things and not give into despair, fear and hopelessness. I’m still kind of worried because I know the devil is always there looking to tempt us and make us stumble and I know that by no means is this struggle over yet, no matter how long it’s been or how strong I feel I am. So I’ve been really careful about not putting myself in situations where I am likely to be tempted. But I’m so much more motivated now. I feel like God is blessing me abundantly, I haven’t felt so strong, resilient, happy in a long time. I really want to be done with this problem once and for all.

You’re doing everything right, and reaping the blessings. Stay strong, and know that temptation never stops until we are reunited with God in Heaven. As long as your eyes are open and you are breathing air, you WILL be tempted in 1,000 ways. But you are building support systems and strength under pressure.

 

[CatholicZ09]

How wonderful! Going to frequent confession and Eucharist always helps break habitual sins. I have been going to confession bi-weekly, and it has made MUCH improvement. Our Lord is always there for us when we stumble and fall, but the only thing you can do is get up and brush yourself off and start again. Good luck on you way to holiness!

 

[eddadonkey]

 

[Paul_theApostle]

Thanks for that encouraging post

i have slided back lately into impurity and am finding it hard to even approach confession
What you have been doing to combat impurity sounds great and i hope i can begin to do the same things because living like this in impurity doesnt feel very good at all

Lord have mercy
God bless

 

[CompSciGuy]

Thanks for that encouraging post

i have slided back lately into impurity and am finding it hard to even approach confession
What you have been doing to combat impurity sounds great and i hope i can begin to do the same things because living like this in impurity doesnt feel very good at all

Lord have mercy
God bless

Is there a group or something at your church for men who deal with this? Are there holy priests that you can go to for counsel, etc.? I will tell you, this is really, really difficult to fight on your own. It is better to get support from others.

Also it is a good idea (really for everyone) to sort of work out in your mind and soul what kind of man you would like to be. In terms of virtue, etc. Have a good picture in your mind, and be motivated to be that man.

Don’t be worried about going to confession. It is so important when fighting this battle.