Sins forgiven, but still troubled

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Some major events happen in my life a few years ago… before I even became catholic… I did confess it… I am truly sorry for what I have done, and I never even think of doing it again… But its still haunting me, pops up in my mind…

Should I confess this again or what?
 
No, do not confess it again.

It wouldn’t hurt to make an office appointment with your pastor, though, and see if he can help you work through it.

Regret of the past is an obstacle to everything, but you did confess it and I assume you were truly sorry when you did.

So don’t worry about God. Just learn how to get past it for your own peace of mind. In my case I had quite a wild life in certain aspects, some because of me, some circumstances. It all came together though, finally, and I can see the benefit I have now from having gone through that experience. In some cases, it has helped me understand more about myself and human nature, allowing me to minister better to others who are troubled now and are looking for help. It also makes me more sensitive to “near occasions” of sin. Since I’ve been there, if I say we are on the wrong road, I know what I’m talking about.

Rom 8:28
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

All things includes all past things, and not just those past things we like to think about. I pray that you live to see why these things have happened and why you did what you did, and how you are closer to God for that realization. In any case, I pray that you come to peace with it.

Alan
 
What has happened is even though you have been forgiven, you haven’t forgiven yourself. There are many who go through this. I was told that to think of going back to confession just because I don’t feel forgiven would be a direct insult to Jesus.

There are many reasons we don’t forgive ourselves, from a lack of trust in God, or belief that he can’t heal and forgive you. It could be pride or a lack of love for ourselves, scrupulosity. We are a broken people, we need to remember that Jesus told the Apostles whatever you forgive on earth will be forgiven in heaven… Believe it, even if you don’t feel it.

I think that most everyone still feel regret for past sins and it sometimes takes alot of time and prayer to heal from the wrongs we’ve done to ourselves or others and especially to God. When a particular sin niggles at me, I’ve found that praying the prayer below helps me. I hope that it will be able to help you as well.

Prayer for Reparation of Sins

[from a Poor Clare nun]

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its sufferings and all its merits.

First … To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Second … To purify the good I have done poorly this day and during all my life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Third … To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and all my life.
 
Wonderful posts above to which I will add yet another perspective…

Such recollections can be useful in growing in holiness. Reminders of how far we have come and a protection against becoming complacent in our current state of Grace…Sort of the “There, but for the grace of God, go I” idea.

I can relate to this issue because I have things in my past too. Serious things - and at least one of them actually led to a relationship that has been the greatest blessing in my life…In short it was through sin that I now am married to the most wonderful woman I could ever have hoped for. So naturally it is difficult to recall certain things relating to this - and yet impossible to totally forget about them either…

About the best that we can do is to try to put them aside.
I’ve learned not to “beat myself up” over what I “should have done”, or whether there are amends that I need to make…But rather to recognize the errors, to recommit to never allowing myself to become that person again, and to use these recollections and lessons both to further my own journey and as a foundation from which to offer advice to others (as appropriate).

That said, I do agree that if these matters are troubling you, a talk with your confessor or a spiritual adviser could be of great help.

Peace
James
 
You’ve heard that saying, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”? That saying is true after confession and the reception of the Eucharist, because it is then, you are truly alive.

Where you go from there is up to you. But that does not mean you can’t turn to others in the faith for strength and support. A priest, a friend, other Catholics. Prayer is good, daily, even hourly. Take up a good cause. Read sacred scripture on a regular basis. Confession doesn’t mean that your sins didn’t happen. It does mean that you are no held bound to them by the one person who matters most. God. Even after the fever of sin is broken, it takes time to recover one’s strength. What better for that recovery than the Eucharist?

The devil will work on you after confession as well, always trying to introduce doubt. Trust those words that come from Christ, “I absolve you of your sins”. There are his and only he can say them, even through a priest.
 
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

-Psalm 23:1-4

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

-Ephesians 3:14-19
 
A reminder when you have sincerely confessed and received absolution:

"As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our sins from us."

Psalm 103: 12

Be at peace!

stjoe4u2
 
stjoe4u2 said:
A reminder when you have sincerely confessed and received absolution:

"As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our sins from us."

Psalm 103: 12

Be at peace!

stjoe4u2
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👍👍
 
Thanks to everyone… and thanks for the prayers… God bless you all
 
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