Soften a Hard Heart

[RobertoDeFatima]

Hello, I am a young man in conirmations who has just experienced his retreat. Previous to the retreat I had been praying a rosary every night for the week to be more open to God. Saturday came and we praged for liberation from all chains. We were supposed to let go of our resentment, pain, insecurities, pride, and other sins. I cried a river and I felt relieved to a certain degree. Today we invoked the Holy Spirit and He came and gave rest to many. For me, well my arms went numb, but that was it. I dont even know if that meant something. Anyway, I was told to open my heart to the Spirit, but honestly, I know I have a rock heart and needed his healing, I just dont understand what opening the heart means. How does one do that? Also, how does one let go of resentment and insecurities? I dont understand this concept of opening the heart. I know I missed this chance of letting the Spirit work in me to heal me and soften my heart, but is there any way He may work on me to do the same (soften my heart and healing me) without me having to wait for the next retreat?

 

[fhansen]

Hello, I am a young man in conirmations who has just experienced his retreat. Previous to the retreat I had been praying a rosary every night for the week to be more open to God. Saturday came and we praged for liberation from all chains. We were supposed to let go of our resentment, pain, insecurities, pride, and other sins. I cried a river and I felt relieved to a certain degree. Today we invoked the Holy Spirit and He came and gave rest to many. For me, well my arms went numb, but that was it. I dont even know if that meant something. Anyway, I was told to open my heart to the Spirit, but honestly, I know I have a rock heart and needed his healing, I just dont understand what opening the heart means. How does one do that? Also, how does one let go of resentment and insecurities? I dont understand this concept of opening the heart. I know I missed this chance of letting the Spirit work in me to heal me and soften my heart, but is there any way He may work on me to do the same (soften my heart and healing me) without me having to wait for the next retreat?

Of course! There’s nothing biblical, nor in Catholic teachings, that says we need to go to some meeting in order for the HS to enter and work in us. That’s an ongoing, daily process involving prayer, seeking, striving, cooperating, remaining in Christ, receiving the sacraments.

 

[fred_conty]

Yes there is something you can do right away. Just say a prayer such as “Please Holy Spirit teach me what you want me to do and how to be open to you.” Just say such a prayer often thruout the day. It won’t be too long before He will grant you your request. And He may well grant you these graces in stages.

He already knows your limitations and won’t ask you to do anything beyond your strength. So you need not be afraid to say this pray with full unction.

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

A farmer sows a seed which doesn’t look any different for a while yet he doesn’t generally lose much sleep over it if he can ensure it gets the right water and food.

Then God will “sneak” some security in as if by stealth!

 

[petra22]

Yes there is something you can do right away. Just say a prayer such as “Please Holy Spirit teach me what you want me to do and how to be open to you.” Just say such a prayer often thruout the day. It won’t be too long before He will grant you your request. And He may well grant you these graces in stages.

He already knows your limitations and won’t ask you to do anything beyond your strength. So you need not be afraid to say this pray with full unction.

What good advice–for all of us!

 

[RobertoDeFatima]

Thankyou so much for your replies :hug3:, I will definitely follow your advice. I have been feeling down because I got mad at the Lord yesterday, then I realized I did not let him in me by holding on to my pain, and now I feel a bit abandoned. It encourages to know that the Spirit can still change me if I call upon him constantly, and not necessarily having to wait for another retreat. Please pray for me, I still feel ashamed and alone for getting angry at God, even though I do not want to feel like this