Spiritual attack and increased faith?

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HabemusFrancis

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Helllo all,

Thank you all so much for their prayers! I have been feeling doubts about God’s existence, more and more ever since I began being more devout. I was inclined to believe my doubts about God, but I felt so drained and empty whenever I went an extend time without religion.

I asked for prayer requests for my spiritual life on this forum and for encouragement in my life.

I truley believed they helped because I felt prompted to do two things.
  1. First, was to change my desktop background to a fitting lenten theme: ncregister.com/images/upl…6316336416.jpg
Strangest thing. Ever since I made the change, the various “temptations” I’ve felt have felt much more distant and “muted” than before.

2.Second, I have started listening to Father Barron’s “Word on Fire” series. He seems like a very intelligent and kind man, and perfect for an intellectual skeptic like myself to listen to.

However… I have had…something of a scary encounter yesterday after I made these changes. I am very skeptical of the whole “demonic encounters” concept. I don’t doubt they exist, but I… had a hard time swallowing the “literal exorcism” stories.

I’m not saying this was…something demonic… but I felt… some unfriendly presence the other night.

Last night… I had my first experience of sleep paralysis. I was saying the rosay before I went to sleep, when I was laying in bed. I was saying sorrowful mysteries (not sure if right day) but after I finished meditating on the crowning of thorns I think I fell asleep.

When I awoke, it felt hard to move for some reason, almost like something was sitting on my back. I did not see anything supernatural, but sense sort of an unfriendly, angry presence. I felt great fear and unease. I have gotten the sense for weeks that something that was dissapointed and displeased with my recent turn toward God.

I muttered the names of Jesus and Mary out loud several times, and the presence I felt… went away…and I felt able to move again.I got up from bed, found a rosary and placed it under my pillow. After that I felt… at peace and went to sleep with no troubled dreams.

It sort of scares and embarasses me to be admitting the latter part. I just have heard some people claim that they see “shadow people” in their homes, or other supernatural things and would kind of hate it if that happened to me.

Has anyone experienced what I described, and do you have any possible insight?

Does it get worse… the more devout and “confident” you become?
 
This is not an uncommon phenomenon, but be careful about rushing to a supernatural conclusion.

If really are starting to “get off the ground” as it were in the spiritual life, you will begin to experience the normal rhythms, graces, and challenges.

I suggest to you three books: Time with God, by Fr. Jacques Phillips, The Introduction to the Devout Life, by St. Francis de Sales, and The Dark Night of the Soul, by St. John of the Cross, just Book One. Also, as always, meeting with your own spiritual director regularly, if possible.
 
With regard to the spiritual battle in life - the devil is not stupid, he knows who he needs to attract, and perhaps just as importantly - he knows who he does not need to attract.

If you haven’t already, maybe consider having your house blessed. (There are specific prayers that the priest will bring with him)

The ‘how’ is to invite the local priest over for a house blessing, though it’s nice to invite him over for dinner too!

You do not have to be a Catholic to ask or receive a house blessing.

We have every house blessed, in fact it’s probably time for a renew on our current one.

I know a parish north of here that is trying to get the word out that this is something to do for your house and neighbors, if they so desire.

Would be awesome to get a neighborhood blessed.

Take care, stay strong!

Mike
 
No this is not uncommon, I’ve had this experience once in the past; and it is a documented phenomenon dating back to the beginning of the church, albeit existing under different names. I’m always very careful about immediately rushing to the supernatural explanation, as demonic opression does truly happen, but is rare.

If is possible that you might have been experiencing and internal conflict of the soul that manifested in a physical way. Your reach to prayer and calling on the names of Jesus and Mary for help are good, and you should thank God for this grace.

If I were you I would have your house blessed, and decorate your rooms with blessed sacramentals, to make your whole house a holy place. You have set down a path, and decided to clean the house of your soul, so you must transform your dwelling as well. For the Lord said:

[ Matt.12:44**

****43**4445](http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-43.htm)

http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-43.htm
 
I highly recommend the book An Interview with an Exorcist by Fr. Fortea, or your can find the contents in the website rcspiritualdirection.com under demonology.

Do not worry. Paraphrasing what the exorcist said, Your won’t be possessed as long as your are actively participating in the sacraments and are not involved in the occult.

Apart from that, I would , personally, take a bit of caution regarding what Fr. Barron says. While Fr. Barron has gained a reputation for being relatively orthodox on some theological matters, his doctrine on Hell remains controversial. He echoes Hans Urs von Balthazar’s teaching that we have a “reasonable hope” that all men are saved, and that for all we know, Hell may be empty. Father Barron’s teaching contradicts the tradition of saints and doctors of the Church, who have said with unified voice that only a minority of mankind will be saved. Universalism, the idea that everyone is saved, is a heresy condemned by the Church at the Council of Constantinople in 553 AD. Although Barron claims he does not promote universalism, critics see it as universalism repackaged in a more palatable light.
 
Hi habemus Francis

I can confidently say that you experienced a demonic attack. The same has happened to me a number of times. You did the right thing. Call on Jesus, Our Lady, St Michael, St Benedict and your guardian angel. Please get and wear a brown scapular, St Benedict medal and Miraculous medal. Have them all properly blessed. Be sure to use holy water and blessed salt.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to wear and use sacramentalise. Properly blessed of course. The Miraculous and St Benedict medals are hugely powerful.

Do not be afraid. You are clearly going the right way and the devil does not like it. He will be hoping to scare you and deter you from saying your Rosary. Redouble your efforts. Be not afraid. When you say the Rosary, Our Lady is with you and She WILL protect you even though all hell should come against you. Hell is NO match for Our Lady. She is our Victorious Queen. The sign of the cross is extremely powerful also.

Peace and joy to you.
 
HabemusFrancis said:
Helllo all,

Thank you all so much for their prayers! I have been feeling doubts about God’s existence, more and more ever since I began being more devout. I was inclined to believe my doubts about God, but I felt so drained and empty whenever I went an extend time without religion.

I asked for prayer requests for my spiritual life on this forum and for encouragement in my life.

I truley believed they helped because I felt prompted to do two things.
  1. First, was to change my desktop background to a fitting lenten theme: ncregister.com/images/upl…6316336416.jpg
Strangest thing. Ever since I made the change, the various “temptations” I’ve felt have felt much more distant and “muted” than before.

2.Second, I have started listening to Father Barron’s “Word on Fire” series. He seems like a very intelligent and kind man, and perfect for an intellectual skeptic like myself to listen to.

However… I have had…something of a scary encounter yesterday after I made these changes. I am very skeptical of the whole “demonic encounters” concept. I don’t doubt they exist, but I… had a hard time swallowing the “literal exorcism” stories.

I’m not saying this was…something demonic… but I felt… some unfriendly presence the other night.

Last night… I had my first experience of sleep paralysis. I was saying the rosay before I went to sleep, when I was laying in bed. I was saying sorrowful mysteries (not sure if right day) but after I finished meditating on the crowning of thorns I think I fell asleep.

When I awoke, it felt hard to move for some reason, almost like something was sitting on my back. I did not see anything supernatural, but sense sort of an unfriendly, angry presence. I felt great fear and unease. I have gotten the sense for weeks that something that was dissapointed and displeased with my recent turn toward God.

I muttered the names of Jesus and Mary out loud several times, and the presence I felt… went away…and I felt able to move again.I got up from bed, found a rosary and placed it under my pillow. After that I felt… at peace and went to sleep with no troubled dreams.

It sort of scares and embarasses me to be admitting the latter part. I just have heard some people claim that they see “shadow people” in their homes, or other supernatural things and would kind of hate it if that happened to me.

Has anyone experienced what I described, and do you have any possible insight?

Does it get worse… the more devout and “confident” you become?
Click to expand...
Sleep paralysis happens to almost everyone from time to time. I happened to me a few times in my 20s. I hate it! For a few seconds I couldn’t move, couldn’t even make a sound. I can tell you, it was nothing supernatural in my case.

With all due respect and charity, you seem to be focusing too much on the bad things in the supernatural. You seem to greatly desire faith. That, in itself, in a form of faith. Try to be more at peace. God bless.
 
Spritus1 said:
Hi habemus Francis

I can confidently say that you experienced a demonic attack. The same has happened to me a number of times. You did the right thing. Call on Jesus, Our Lady, St Michael, St Benedict and your guardian angel. Please get and wear a brown scapular, St Benedict medal and Miraculous medal. Have them all properly blessed. Be sure to use holy water and blessed salt.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to wear and use sacramentalise. Properly blessed of course. The Miraculous and St Benedict medals are hugely powerful.

Do not be afraid. You are clearly going the right way and the devil does not like it. He will be hoping to scare you and deter you from saying your Rosary. Redouble your efforts. Be not afraid. When you say the Rosary, Our Lady is with you and She WILL protect you even though all hell should come against you. Hell is NO match for Our Lady. She is our Victorious Queen. The sign of the cross is extremely powerful also.

Peace and joy to you.
Click to expand...
Oh, dear! It’s good to wear something that shows our faith and protects us. I never take my crucifix off except to shower. It’s good to pray for protection against evil forces.

But none of us can say whether or not he or she experienced a demonic attack. Sleep paralysis is fairly common. We can give an opinion, but we don’t know for sure. I doubt that a priest would give him or her a definitive answer. Personally, I don’t think it was a demonic attack. What would any demon have to gain by causing an attack of sleep paralysis? Please don’t scare people so. Faith, and the desire for faith, will trump evil any day.
 
E_7 said:
I highly recommend the book An Interview with an Exorcist by Fr. Fortea, or your can find the contents in the website rcspiritualdirection.com under demonology.

Do not worry. Paraphrasing what the exorcist said, Your won’t be possessed as long as your are actively participating in the sacraments and are not involved in the occult.

Apart from that, I would , personally, take a bit of caution regarding what Fr. Barron says. While Fr. Barron has gained a reputation for being relatively orthodox on some theological matters, his doctrine on Hell remains controversial. He echoes Hans Urs von Balthazar’s teaching that we have a “reasonable hope” that all men are saved, and that for all we know, Hell may be empty. Father Barron’s teaching contradicts the tradition of saints and doctors of the Church, who have said with unified voice that only a minority of mankind will be saved. Universalism, the idea that everyone is saved, is a heresy condemned by the Church at the Council of Constantinople in 553 AD. Although Barron claims he does not promote universalism, critics see it as universalism repackaged in a more palatable light.
Click to expand...
I’m not saying this to be contentious, but I’ve been wondering, if hell’s empty, what’s the use in even trying to be good? Why should we make all the sacrifices if the evil are going to make it to heaven as well as the good? And I do read Hans Urs von Bathasar a lot. Sure, I know all the theology school answers, but practically? 🤷
 
Thanks so much for the helpful advice!

I hate to say, I may have done something foolish before I said the rosary. I was feeling sort of encouraged about my faith life and said in my head mentally “Hey Satan, Im praying the rosary. Your welcome to join me in it.” As a means to mock him, thinking it would repulse him entirely. Thought he wasn’t a big rosary fan :rolleyes:.

Can Satan communicate to you by thoughts?

Just today I was thinking how dumb it was to be interested in exorcisms/ the demonic, and Satan’s will generally. I said to myself I don’t have time for the devil anymore.

After I had this thought, I had another snide little thought in my head which said, almost as if in response “you have all the time in the world!”
 
HabemusFrancis said:
Thanks so much for the helpful advice!

I hate to say, I may have done something foolish before I said the rosary. I was feeling sort of encouraged about my faith life and said in my head mentally “Hey Satan, Im praying the rosary. Your welcome to join me in it.” As a means to mock him, thinking it would repulse him entirely. Thought he wasn’t a big rosary fan :rolleyes:.

Can Satan communicate to you by thoughts?

Just today I was thinking how dumb it was to be interested in exorcisms/ the demonic, and Satan’s will generally. I said to myself I don’t have time for the devil anymore.

After I had this thought, I had another snide little thought in my head which said, almost as if in response “you have all the time in the world!”
Click to expand...
I’m sure Satan can communicate to us by planting thoughts in our heads. However, I don’t think you did anything wrong by telling him you were praying the rosary.

Please, please, please try to relax and not worry so much. When you have a thought that seems to come from Satan, say what Jesus said when he rebuked Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” Let Satan know who’s boss in your life - God. And PLEASE don’t worry! You love God and want to feel your faith. That is what matters.
 
Spritus1 said:
Hi habemus Francis

I can confidently say that you experienced a demonic attack. The same has happened to me a number of times. You did the right thing. Call on Jesus, Our Lady, St Michael, St Benedict and your guardian angel. Please get and wear a brown scapular, St Benedict medal and Miraculous medal. Have them all properly blessed. Be sure to use holy water and blessed salt.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to wear and use sacramentalise. Properly blessed of course. The Miraculous and St Benedict medals are hugely powerful.

Do not be afraid. You are clearly going the right way and the devil does not like it. He will be hoping to scare you and deter you from saying your Rosary. Redouble your efforts. Be not afraid. When you say the Rosary, Our Lady is with you and She WILL protect you even though all hell should come against you. Hell is NO match for Our Lady. She is our Victorious Queen. The sign of the cross is extremely powerful also.

Peace and joy to you.
Click to expand...
Very interesting. Yeah, Ive been getting more and more into the saints. Raphael might be my favorite actually:thumbsup:.

Funny enough, If indeed Old Scratch has been trying to delay/hinder me, he hasn’t really used “fear” until lately. More just temptation/discouragement, in the form of thoughts like “how do you know this is real? Only an idiot would actually believe any of this. The Church is evil, and always has been are you out of your mind?”

Above is just a paraphrising of thoughts I’ve been having as I’ve gotten into my faith more and more. Also… previously a strong interest/intrigue in tarot cards thinking they would do no harm. I resisted urge to buy them though and have no plans on doing so !👍
 
HabemusFrancis said:
Thanks so much for the helpful advice!

I hate to say, I may have done something foolish before I said the rosary. I was feeling sort of encouraged about my faith life and said in my head mentally “Hey Satan, Im praying the rosary. Your welcome to join me in it.” As a means to mock him, thinking it would repulse him entirely. Thought he wasn’t a big rosary fan :rolleyes:.

Can Satan communicate to you by thoughts?

Just today I was thinking how dumb it was to be interested in exorcisms/ the demonic, and Satan’s will generally. I said to myself I don’t have time for the devil anymore.

After I had this thought, I had another snide little thought in my head which said, almost as if in response “you have all the time in the world!”
Click to expand...
OH MY GOODNESS! NEVER DIRECT YOURSELF TO THE DEVIL LIKE THAT. Exorcists greatly say not to. Even God does not have conversations with the devil. Although the reason God doesn’t converse with the devil are completely different from our reasons, we shouldn’t talk to the devil. You can tell him to go away in the name of God, but that’s it.

I encourage your to visit rcspiritualdirection.com and read all under demonology. Not only it will give you more knowledge of demons, but your will also get to know a bit more about God.

And about your thoughts: With their great intelligence, they [demons] can guess what we are thinking – but they can never be absolutely certain. As spiritual beings, they are much more intelligent than we are, and as such, they can deduce things with greater accuracy and with fewer external signs than we can. But we always have to remember that demons are outside our souls; only God can truly read the soul. This being said, if one directs his mind and will to a saint, an angel, or a demon, they can hear us. So it does not matter whether our prayer is verbal or merely mental. In certain cases of possession I have observed that the demon obeys orders that have been given mentally.

Read more: spiritualdirection.com/2013/08/29/can-demons-read-our-thoughts#ixzz41KULYX10
 
Sometimes things just happen.

Not every flat tire on the way to the store is because Satan doesn’t want you to be a good father/mother/spouse. I have Evangelical friends who blame everything bad, even remotely inconvenient, on the fact that “The evil one doesn’t want this to happen.”

Yeah, the devil is real but sometimes things randomly happen and my number one way to prevent spiritual attacks is to ride a mountain bike or watch a great comedy movie. God doesn’t want us to worry about spirtual attacks 24x7 and even Jesus reclined at table and had a good meal.

-Tim-
 
E_7 said:
OH MY GOODNESS! NEVER DIRECT YOURSELF TO THE DEVIL LIKE THAT. Exorcists greatly say not to. Even God does not have conversations with the devil. Although the reason God doesn’t converse with the devil are completely different from our reasons, we shouldn’t talk to the devil. You can tell him to go away in the name of God, but that’s it.

I encourage your to visit rcspiritualdirection.com and read all under demonology. Not only it will give you more knowledge of demons, but your will also get to know a bit more about God.

And about your thoughts: With their great intelligence, they [demons] can guess what we are thinking – but they can never be absolutely certain. As spiritual beings, they are much more intelligent than we are, and as such, they can deduce things with greater accuracy and with fewer external signs than we can. But we always have to remember that demons are outside our souls; only God can truly read the soul. This being said, if one directs his mind and will to a saint, an angel, or a demon, they can hear us. So it does not matter whether our prayer is verbal or merely mental. In certain cases of possession I have observed that the demon obeys orders that have been given mentally.

Read more: spiritualdirection.com/2013/08/29/can-demons-read-our-thoughts#ixzz41KULYX10
Click to expand...
Edit to add: I forgot to say that, in my humble opinion, what your said to the devil was not an act of so much faith, but of pride and arrogance. Your were deceived. That’s just my mere opinion and belief.
 
E_7 said:
Edit to add: I forgot to say that, in my humble opinion, what your said to the devil was not an act of so much faith, but of pride and arrogance. Your were deceived. That’s just my mere opinion and belief.
Click to expand...
Your correct. I don’t defend it and don’t claim to have done the right thing.

I guess I just thought since Satan was the “Prince of all Evil” it wouldn’t be a bad thing to poke or tease him.

Makes me wonder if that sleep paralysis thing, may have been just a petty swipe at me for insulting him.

As for house blessing? Im not sure I need much more than just a continuous prayer life. Nothing really wierd has happened… no missing objects blood on walls, scratches ,etc.
 
With charity I don’t accept that I am scaring anyone. Or at least it is not my intention to. On the contrary my post states emphatically (at least three times) the importance of not being afraid and to have confidence in Our Blessed Mother as well as Our Lord and the Saints.

But it is a fact that there are things in life and the world that are scary. Satan is real, demons are real, hell is real, demonic attacks are real. They do happen. But though these things are scary it is very important not to be scared. We have no need to be afraid. It is not helping anyone to avoid acknowledging that demons can and will attack. Often there will be no apparent logic or reason for their attacks. They do it because they are evil and enjoy causing alarm, fear and distress and because they can.

Often one notes that attacks start or increase as one draws closer to the Lord or starts praying or working for people or things the devil would much rather one did not.

An important aspect of our faith life is spiritual combat and it would be negligent and unhelpful to deny this reality for fear of scaring people. Our Blessed Lord referred often enough to satan, demons etc as did the Apostles. Were they out to scare people? No they weren’t. They sought to inform and educate people as knowledge is power.

We can bury our heads in the sand like ostriches but I rarely think that in life this is a good thing.

Having said all that, NEVER speak to or challenge the devil directly. Never. Only in Christ and in the power of His Name should we have any dealings with the evil one.
 
E_7 said:
Edit to add: I forgot to say that, in my humble opinion, what your said to the devil was not an act of so much faith, but of pride and arrogance. Your were deceived. That’s just my mere opinion and belief.
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Not sure about this. I seem to recall Dom Scupoli recommending the practice of “mortifying the Devil,” though whether this would be a prudent instance of it could be another matter.

That’s in “The Spiritual Combat.”

**Also, from my first post, an edit to an author’s name: “Fr. Jaques Philippe”
 
Replying as one who had some similar experiences early on as I returned to the church.
There are many good books available, mentioned here.
But mostly I encourage you to see a priest and explain your experiences. Confession is one of the best exorcisms there are. Speaking to a priest, they are trained to pray protection over you. This is just one of the beautiful things about Catholic Church. We are not alone! We have all the sacraments given to us by Jesus. Do not be afraid! We are so loved. He did not leave us alone here. God bless you :signofcross:
 
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