Struggling with temptation

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Sereta

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Particularly sexual.
The problem is it’s past point of temptation and involves sin now.
I say I’ll resist it and be strong but when the physiological feeling comes along that overrides everything else.
The other problems too is that I’m cold or uncaring regarding so called sin and I don’t feel anything at offending God.I sort of beat myself up in my brain that I should care but in reality I don’t.
Also,I can’t confess to a priest,regardless if I know them or not.I don’t have the ability to move past the embarrassment and regardless whether people say priests have heard it all before I still can’t and I get hysterical and panicky even thinking about it.
But then I’m left in despair that there’s noway for God to forgive me .
Thanks
 
Go to confession, don’t say that “you can’t”, you’ll be amazed what you can do if you ask God to get you through it. It’s not that bad once you force yourself inside the confessional and kneel on the kneeler. Perhaps let the priest know you’re nervous.

I’m sure this feeling you’re describing is common based over the shame of sexual sins, and women are especially ashamed to mention these sins in the confessional. I was at the gym once on a saturday thinking of going to confession later to confess the sins of impurity, and with the anxiety of it all, I got heart palpitations (i’m a fit 20-something year old man). Of course I eventually went and was extremely relieved after. You will be too if you just go.

Consider it the carrying of your cross.

Also, ignore whatever physiological response you have and don’t let it justify impurity, it’s outside of your will, and not bad in and of itself, since God created sex as a beautiful and good thing.
 
Sereta said:
Particularly sexual.
The problem is it’s past point of temptation and involves sin now.
I say I’ll resist it and be strong but when the physiological feeling comes along that overrides everything else.
The other problems too is that I’m cold or uncaring regarding so called sin and I don’t feel anything at offending God.I sort of beat myself up in my brain that I should care but in reality I don’t.
Also,I can’t confess to a priest,regardless if I know them or not.I don’t have the ability to move past the embarrassment and regardless whether people say priests have heard it all before I still can’t and I get hysterical and panicky even thinking about it.
But then I’m left in despair that there’s noway for God to forgive me .
Thanks
Click to expand...
Praying for you to overcome your temptations.
 
I prescribe Sirach 15:11-20, then

Psalm 32

You can do it. It’s hard- I know. But it’s not impossible.

Pray, pray and pray more. Accept that confession is not optional- it’s imperative and one of the most powerful encounters with Christ we may have!

Also helps to take it seriously. For instance, porn is as addictive as cigarettes or drugs. I know I can’t have one smoke, or one beer… I’m a fool if I ever think I can handle just looking at one porn pic, etc. I’ve learned that the battle is over that first step. If we have that one beer, or click on that one website (or whatever the particular temptation might be), the sin has already been conceived- it’s nearly impossible to turn back then. The battle is in resiting the very first step.

I bless myself with holy water when I wake up and before bed. I know I must pray my rosary before going online to check email in the morning, looking at TV or whatever. I need that prayer covering before the devil gets a crack at me! :onpatrol:

I pray for you. Please pray for me too.
 
Just go to confession. When I went back I was carrying a HEAVY LOAD. I didn’t think I could say the words. In the end I was a blubbering, crying mess (I’m a Guy) but I would do it all over again.
 
I know exactly what you mean about temptation seeming too strong to resist and then giving in. At first you feel guilty and then you’re just numbed to the guilt even though you know how wrong it is. Praying for help is certainly essential, but it’s not the only thing you can do. I have found it helpful to say to Jesus “I will not give in to this temptation because I love You and You gave Your life out of love for me.” Then occupy your mind and/or body with something else. Keep mints in your pocket and eat one whenever you feel temptation coming at you and pray three Hail Marys for purity and the willingness to do God’s will rather than your own.

And go to confession. Seriously, there is nothing more freeing than to know that you are forgiven by God. I used to hate going to confession, but now I write my big sins down before I go and I just have to read them off the list. Write down all your mortal sins (ones that are grave matter, committed with full knowledge, and full consent) (you don’t need to have thought the words “grave matter” some things you just know.) and confess them. Let the priest know how long it has been since you last went to confession and that you are nervous. And he will help you. Then burn the paper when you are done.
If you have any questions about confession or just need to talk send me a private message I would love to help you in anyway I can.

God bless,

Hman
 
You should always pray for a good confession. Keep it simple. I have a prayer book here that has an examination of conscience with prayers for a good confession before it. You have to arm yourself and fight against temptation. It never ends. Daily prayer several times a day helps. Schedule a rosary at whatever times of day are most difficult. Wear a medal.
 
white_sheep said:
You have to arm yourself and fight against temptation. It never end.
Click to expand...
True, but the physical urges get much weaker after about a month away from sexual activity.

I’m not trying to contradict you or highjack this thread. I just thought I should point to the light at the end of the tunnel.
 
True, and it lessens as you get older, but temptation never goes away, though it may take another form. Learning to do good and resist evil is a lifelong battle and not centered around one sin or whichever one you have the most problem with now. It’s always hard.
 
Going to confession will make a world of difference. Think about it this way, the last thing the devil wants you to do is go to confession. So the number one thing he is going to do is freak you out about it and do everything in his power to keep you as far away from the confessional as possible. This is where your anxiety is coming from. Once you go and confess it you will feel this heavy weight off your shoulders. The graces you will receive will help you to heal and move forward. I will pray for you. Don’t let the enemy win. God is in control, God loves you and knows your struggles. If you explain to the priest what you are going through I bet he will have some good advice for you.
 
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