Hi everyone, so I am a relapsed catholic, currently trying to validate our marriage (working with a priest and going to church weekly to show we are devoted). Anyway, since I have come back to the church, my anxiety seems to have gone through the roof. I feel like no matter what I do, I am not good enough and will go to hell if I die.
If you are avoiding mortal sin and confessing when you fall into mortal sin, and doing your best to avoid venial sin, you are doing well. Mortal sin is very clear-cut, requiring 1. grave matter, 2. full knowledge, and 3. full consent.
The fact that sinful thoughts assail you does not mean you are sinning as long as you resist the thoughts and do not consent!
I don’t know that when I am praying, I am sincere enough,
You have decided to pray and are praying. That is what counts, not your feelings, which are not fully under your control. Decide, pray, *peacefully *return your mind when you find you are distracted, and you will be fine.
or that my sins are being forgiven.
If the priest absolves your sins, your sins are forgiven. You absolutely do not need to worry about this at all, because if the priest does not ask for clarification, you have been clear enough, etc. This is his responsibility, not yours, so consider all your sins forgiven.
St Ignatius (iirc) says to gve only a few minutes (like 5 at most) to the examination of conscience. I have found this to be very helpful, and also restrict my examinations if conscience to particular times
The only problem is when someone *deliberately *(Very Deliberateky!!! Not just forgetting!!!) conceals a mortal sin. Then that and all subsequent confessions are invalid and need to be re-done, including the sins of sacrilege wrt Confession and Communion. Do not worry about any confessions from your childhood.
I worry constantly about my husband’s well being as well, and pray for him.
Praying about whatever you are worried about is good
Once you pray about it, leave it in God’s hands
I worry about the state of the world, and pray, but oftentimes feel like my prayers are not being heard or that they are so minimal to God they are almost pointless.
If your child asked for something, would you ignore her or think she was minimal? Of course not. Remember that God loves each of us more than we can even possibly love, and that He totally loves you, His returning prodigal child, and runs out to meet you.
I am never sure if I am sinning, or if my sins are forgiven. Ultimately I am afraid of dying because I am afraid of what will become of me. I am pregnant with a baby and am worried that when I sin or act badly, God will punish me by taking her away from me (this is on account of a dream I had).
You seem to be trying not to sin. It is really dfficult to sin when you are working hard at avoiding sin. God knows that you are learning, just as parents understand that their children are learning.
Some days I go almost all day without eating because I can’t stop worrying.
This is too much worrying, and if you can’t overcome it by spiritual means, you may need to discuss it with your doctor. You must eat if only for the sake if your baby!
When you eat, thank God for the healthy food He provides you and your baby. God has given you this baby to take care of, so eat whether you want to or not.
I have talked to Doctors and even a priest and they don’t seem to fully understand where I am coming from. I pray the rosary everyday and still feel like I am not doing enough. I don’t know what to do at this point, has anyone else had issues like this or is having them currently?
A lot of Catholics start out praying their morning prayers (Offering, Guardian Angel Prayer), Rosary, and Evening Prayer, with 10 to 20 minutes of spiritual reading during the day, later adding meditation.
The saints agree that *justice *requires 15 minutes of prayer each day, and the rest is charity, done for love of God. However, an important point is that we must fulfill the duties of our state in life. As mothers, our state in life requires that we care for our children and not let other things, even prayer! interfere with that. (For example, if you are praying the Rosary and your child needs you, then you stop praying and take care of your child)
So for mothers of young children, sometimes their prayers consist of the morning prayer said while the child is eating; a Rosary said while the children sleep; evening prayers as one drifts to sleep. What really helped me a lot was to have Catholic radio on for a while each day–i didn’t hear very much!!! but each day I would pick up a little something.
Prayers for you!
Annie
