Sin and Scrupulosity

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Phillip_47

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I think I am struggling with scrupulosity. I seem to worry every sin or mistake I do is mortal sin especially recently after confession. And this comes mainly from my constant worry about a state of grace because I know that you go to hell if you die not in a state of grace. This absolutely scares me beyond anything else because it’s eternity and there’s no going back. And it’s a constant worry for me ever since I really took the time to think about it. And I always make an effort to pray and resist sin, and I want nothing more than to go to heaven but this causes me so much worry because I know that we are not perfect and bound to make mistakes. Mistakes that could cost eternity. It scares me so much. How do you deal with this thought? God bless
 
mission.liguori.org/newsletters/pdf_archive/Ten_Commandments_for_the_Scrupulous_2013.pdf

Without exception, you shall not confess sins you have already confessed.

You shall confess only sins that are clear and certain.

You shall not repeat your penance or any of the words of your penance after confession—for any reason.

You shall not worry about breaking your pre-Communion fast unless you put food and drink in your mouth and swallow as a meal.

You shall not worry about powerful and vivid thoughts, desires, and imaginings involving sex and religion unless you deliberately generate them for the purpose of offending God.

You shall not worry about powerful and intense feelings, including sexual feelings or emotional outbursts, unless you deliberately generate them to offend God.

You shall obey your confessor when he tells you never to repeat a general confession of sins already confessed to him or another confessor.

When you doubt your obligation to do or not do something, you will see your doubt as proof that there is no obligation.

When you are doubtful, you shall assume that the act of commission or omission you’re in doubt about is not sinful, and you shall proceed without dread of sin.

You shall put your total trust in Jesus Christ, knowing he loves you as only God can and that he will never allow you to lose your soul.
 
Phillip_47 said:
I think I am struggling with scrupulosity. I seem to worry every sin or mistake I do is mortal sin especially recently after confession. And this comes mainly from my constant worry about a state of grace because I know that you go to hell if you die not in a state of grace. This absolutely scares me beyond anything else because it’s eternity and there’s no going back. And it’s a constant worry for me ever since I really took the time to think about it. And I always make an effort to pray and resist sin, and I want nothing more than to go to heaven but this causes me so much worry because I know that we are not perfect and bound to make mistakes. Mistakes that could cost eternity. It scares me so much. How do you deal with this thought? God bless
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Worrying will not help anyone. Believe me, I am worry wart. Pray. Live life. Give to others as best as you can. As much as the Catholic church knows about sin, no one ultimately knows how God will judge anyone. Leave that to God. Even thought it is helpful to be introspective and know your sins. Not everyday should be that day. Maybe I am wrong about you. Do not drive yourself crazy about sins. Take life day by day.
 
fred_conty said:
mission.liguori.org/newsletters/pdf_archive/Ten_Commandments_for_the_Scrupulous_2013.pdf

Without exception, you shall not confess sins you have already confessed.

You shall confess only sins that are clear and certain.

You shall not repeat your penance or any of the words of your penance after confession—for any reason.

You shall not worry about breaking your pre-Communion fast unless you put food and drink in your mouth and swallow as a meal.

You shall not worry about powerful and vivid thoughts, desires, and imaginings involving sex and religion unless you deliberately generate them for the purpose of offending God.

You shall not worry about powerful and intense feelings, including sexual feelings or emotional outbursts, unless you deliberately generate them to offend God.

You shall obey your confessor when he tells you never to repeat a general confession of sins already confessed to him or another confessor.

When you doubt your obligation to do or not do something, you will see your doubt as proof that there is no obligation.

When you are doubtful, you shall assume that the act of commission or omission you’re in doubt about is not sinful, and you shall proceed without dread of sin.

You shall put your total trust in Jesus Christ, knowing he loves you as only God can and that he will never allow you to lose your soul.
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This is perfect.
 
Phillip_47 said:
I think I am struggling with scrupulosity. I seem to worry every sin or mistake I do is mortal sin especially recently after confession. And this comes mainly from my constant worry about a state of grace because I know that you go to hell if you die not in a state of grace. This absolutely scares me beyond anything else because it’s eternity and there’s no going back. And it’s a constant worry for me ever since I really took the time to think about it. And I always make an effort to pray and resist sin, and I want nothing more than to go to heaven but this causes me so much worry because I know that we are not perfect and bound to make mistakes. Mistakes that could cost eternity. It scares me so much. How do you deal with this thought? God bless
Click to expand...
Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18)-along with scrupulosity. 🙂 Cultivate love; its the highest virtue, and the very definition of our justice-which is why the greatest commandments are what they are. Love opposes and excludes sin; to the extent that we love, we don’t sin. And to the extent that we recognize and embrace God’s love, we trust Him, and have no reason to fear.
 
Meet with a confessor - he can determine if one actually struggles with scruples (such as in a particular area). One who is not scrupulous would not follow some of what is often given to those who are scrupulous.

A person struggles with scruples - what ought they do?

A person with scrupulosity --ought to have a* “regular confessor” who can direct them --and even give them some general principles* to follow -to apply (principles for them due to their particular scruples -they are usually not for those with a normal conscience).

Thus with their direction they can “dismiss scruples” (in the older language despise them) - “act against them”.

Scruples are to be dismissed ~ not argued with.

To borrow and image from a Carthusian from centuries ago: Scruples *are like a barking dog or a hissing goose -one does not stop to argue with a barking dog or a hissing goose does one? * No one keeps walking.

Such ‘obedience’ to a regular confessor who knows of ones scruples (except in what is manifest sin - such as if he told them it was ok to murder someone or something certain like that) is key. Such is the age old practice.

Also counseling -(especially if one also has OCD) could be helpful depending on the case -but one would want to look for a counselor who can assist one in following the Churches Teachings - not go contrary to them (I have heard CA staff mention catholictherapists.com/)

Here was a not too long ago post from Jimmy Akin of CA that I saw in the Register and saved for those who struggle with such.

ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/6-tools-for-the-scrupulous
 
Phillip_47 said:
I think I am struggling with scrupulosity. I seem to worry every sin or mistake I do is mortal sin especially recently after confession. And this comes mainly from my constant worry about a state of grace because I know that you go to hell if you die not in a state of grace. This absolutely scares me beyond anything else because it’s eternity and there’s no going back. And it’s a constant worry for me ever since I really took the time to think about it. And I always make an effort to pray and resist sin, and I want nothing more than to go to heaven but this causes me so much worry because I know that we are not perfect and bound to make mistakes. Mistakes that could cost eternity. It scares me so much. How do you deal with this thought? God bless
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I struggled with this for many years growing up and eventually grew out of it as I became an adult.

It’s about accepting the fact that you may very well end up in Hell some day. Then doing the best you can without obsessing over it and stressing yourself out like a child.

This is what helped cure me.
 
Phillip_47 said:
I think I am struggling with scrupulosity. I seem to worry every sin or mistake I do is mortal sin especially recently after confession. And this comes mainly from my constant worry about a state of grace because I know that you go to hell if you die not in a state of grace. This absolutely scares me beyond anything else because it’s eternity and there’s no going back. And it’s a constant worry for me ever since I really took the time to think about it. And I always make an effort to pray and resist sin, and I want nothing more than to go to heaven but this causes me so much worry because I know that we are not perfect and bound to make mistakes. Mistakes that could cost eternity. It scares me so much. How do you deal with this thought? God bless
Click to expand...
Being scrupulous has its huge drawbacks- it can create a divide between you and God that only weakens the soul, the more worry you allow. ~I’ve been there & highly recommend getting out to save your soul. Don’t let the evil one twist the truth.

Being scrupulous has its benefits uniquely- God sensitively takes care of us. He knows we take things very seriously, but we don’t have to. God is love, not fear.

Used to have throbbing headaches and scold myself for sinning again & again- it only created resentment for myself for worrying so much about it. I went to confession often, spoke with a local priest for support, prayed more- asking God for help, prayed the Rosary everyday (for all who are scrupulous), might’ve said a Novena. Thru the grace & mercy of God, I am 3/4th healed, have learned to forgive God & myself- God definitely works in mysterious ways.
^I like listening to KLOVE (Christian music)- 6 times in 1 week, God provided “You Are Loved” song (by Stars God Dim) to help me understand that we don’t need to prove ourselves- He loves us & will take care of us when we let Him. This life is meant to give Him glory & praise- if we stress more about fixing our lives, how can we make time with Him? Put Christ at the center of your life (waking up reading a spiritual bk or praying to Him, saying the Rosary/Divine Mercy chaplet, embracing His love & care), you will see the difference between what is from God & what is not. Everything’s going to be okay. You can get thru this- trust Him, trust yourself to eventually change.

I will include you in my prayers.
 
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