Struggling with critical/judgmental thinking

[Arkadin]

I have been having a hard time as of late with thoughts that come into my mind when I see just about anyone. I either have a critical thought of how they look or judgmental thought of some sort. I am not willing these thoughts, or at least I hope I’m not and I try to get them out of my mind as quickly as they enter in.

It’s stressing me out quite a lot. The same with impure thoughts. I never allow myself to give in, but I’m more stressed that they come into my mind in the first place.

I am trying to love everyone as God commands and to not criticize how one looks or some thing that may not be considered physically appealing to the eye.

I don’t know what to do other than to pray. I know I’m not sinning mortally as long as I don’t feed into them, but I just want them to go away. I feel it reflects how I am towards myself. I’m quite scrupulous at times and have been trying to overcome that. Also, I am stressed at work even though I shouldn’t. I work every day except Sunday, it is just me and one other person who has had a number of health problems or her mother has a lot of health issues so she sometimes can’t work. I want to quit, but I should be thankful to have a job right now.

I think it is just stress (mostly self-induced) and my mind wants to take it out on others. But I fight this and do my best never to say anything uncharitable and to try to see Jesus in the other person. I hate having to deal with these thoughts. It’s progressively getting worse I think.

I feel it takes a toll on my spiritual well-being and growth.

 

[Carol_Anne_Fran]

I can empathize with your feelings of frustration, we all have thoughts that are inappropriate or judgemental, etc. You’re fighting being human. God doesn’t expect us not to be human; He does expect us to recognize when an inappropriate thought enters our minds and not to entertain it. Entertaining it or building on it would be sinful, not having the actual thought itself. Remember, He looks at you through the loving eyes of a father. Sometimes I think we put ourselves in His place, viewing ourselves through ‘his’ eyes. We can’t even begin to understand the mystery of His love, so that’s where faith steps in and takes over. Accept His love, forgive yourself and when those unwanted thoughts pop into your head, say a quick prayer thanking God for the awareness and ‘change the channel’.

God bless you.

 

[I_Fortuna]

Hi There,
I think we all struggle with this some people more than others.

Everyone has a diffferent way to deal with it. I would first consult a doctor to rule out any physical health issues.

I would and have prayed the Rosary every day or frequently. Also, when I was first welcomed into the Catholic church, my priest performed the rite of exorcism, not the movie version whichwas wonderfully effective.

You may or may not be aware that this is a simple but powerful rite and I believe it will help a great deal.

I see this issue as just another attempt by the forces of Satan to separate you from God.

Prayer is the most effective weapon. I ask the saints, Our Blessed Mother Mary or Jesus to sit with me in my presence as I pray and meditate upon them.

I wish you the best and God Bless.

 

[Arkadin]

I feel it is just Satan and his forces trying to destroy me completely. I’m discerning a vocation to the priesthood and planned to ask to begin the application process next week.

My scrupulosity hit an all-time low in the past few weeks. Thankfully, God has been there for me and is helping me keep it good.

I feel the stress coming from my job is self-induced for some reason. It’s just two of us working and have been trying since early March to find a third person and possibly fourth person. Neither of us working here are managers and the regional is an hour and a half away. We’ve had quite a few applicants, but the two we began to train decided to no longer want to work with us without telling us.

My co-worker seems to have a number of health issues or her mom does and so, I never know when she will call in. This happens almost once a week. I know that this is all a means to test my faith and help me strengthen things to prepare me for much greater.

I think I just need a break…

Next week, I’m visiting the assistant vocations director for three days and see if I can begin the application process. I feel Satan is trying to tear me down and discourage me.