Temptations?

[dessert]

Does everyone face the temptations I do? At work there are an incredable amount of temptations. There are so many magazines available to lure me into thoughts of sin. The many associates swear when management is not around. Sometimes there is stealing going on and no one wants to report it by I must and then I am treated like a traitor. Do you all face these? We have lesbians and if I don’t agree with them I am labeled as anti women. How do I get around all this and how do you manage at your work. Yes I am thinking of getting a different job. Dessert

 

[homewardbound]

I think everyone faces these temptations somewhere in their lives. Its defnitely a struggle. The only way a new job would be any different would be if you could find one somewhere thats exclusively Christian, which isn’t very probable.

I’ll pray for you. Take care and God Bless.

 

[dessert]

Thank you for your prayer as I know I need to come out of myself sometimes and trust God but I sometimes feel like life is a commercial on TV where all the motions are trying to get me to buy something or take on a new idea that is completely against the teachings of the Church. The commercials are the worst and I can now understand why many mute them. I just wish I could mute people that try to tempt me. If I walk away they think I am rude and there is no talking to the devil he doesn’t listen to the truth. Jesus knows the truth and he even knew what Judas was up to but still loved him. I praise and thank Him for his forgiveness. Dessert

 

[blessedtoo]

How do I get around all this and how do you manage at your work. Yes I am thinking of getting a different job. Dessert

I had a job for 6 years that was similar to what you’ve described. I’m not sure it was temptation as much as rampant sin being thrown in my face constantly. The temptation for me was to not “make waves” because it was my job and I didn’t want to chance losing it. So I prayed, and prayed. And I did lose it! Not because I was fired but because the business folded! All the employess were let go and were all able to collect unemployment. It was a great relief and I was able to take some time to find a new job.

The only way a new job would be any different would be if you could find one somewhere thats exclusively Christian, which isn’t very probable.

Au contraire! I actually did find a job working for a wonderful Christian family. It is possible. After being laid off, I took as much time as I could to find the right fit. And prayed and prayed. You can actually find a job in an environment that isn’t constantly challenging your Catholic walk.

The commercials are the worst and I can now understand why many mute them. I just wish I could mute people that try to tempt me.

You actually can mute people, dessert. The things I was exposed to at my former job, (oi vey!) were so appalling that it eventually became necessary to turn it off. If the sin is so blatant, it can be easier to recognize it for what it is and turn away. You don’t have to be rude. You don’t have to say anything. By not engaging in the temptation to sin, you provide an uncomfortable witness to all those who try to normalize what is contrary to Catholic Christian life. Be strong and pray ceaselessly!

 

[Black_Jaque]

Memorize the beatitudes. Repeat the silently throughout your day at work.

 

[HopeFull_Mom]

In our homily last week our priest told us not to forget “good is stronger than evil”. I think this is important to remember. God is in total control and never gives us anything we can’t handle. Like in the “Footprints” poem, Jesus is there with you always, even at work. Remember that.

Also try to think positive. When you are tempted always remember the devil doesn’t offer anything except lies and empty promises. If you think things are tough now, they would only be harder if you gave into temptations. This is why at the same time Jesus asks us to pick up our cross, He also tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden light.

Try not to think of the people you work with as devils. I once heard Father Korapi on EWTN saying that unbaptized people(maybe those deep in mortal sin as well, I can’t remember) are spiritually dead. They are like people stumbling around in the dark. Have compassion for them and take every opportunity to shine the light of Christ into their darkness. They may not come around right then and there, but your example could be a source of help to them years down the road, perhaps even at their death bed.

I always try to remember that it is only through the grace of God that I was raised Catholic and this certainly hightens my responsibilty to be a good example to others. Not to go around solemnly, but instead with joy because of how God has blessed me.

I am not trying to minimize what your going through, it sounds tough. I just find the more I remind myself that what God has given me is good and what the world has to offer isn’t, the happier I am. The perfect example is all these Hollywood people. They have everything the world has to offer, they don’t seem to have any morals and their lives are train wrecks. I’m sure it is the same way with many of the people you work with, but they aren’t in the tabloids, so it is less obvious.

P.S. At the same time don’t be afraid to pray that another oppurtunity will come your way. Like blessedtoo’s story, it is amazing how often God takes care of things when we ask Him to. I say a novena to St. Rita and through her intercession God has anwsered many of my prayers. I will pray for you too.