What is the Catholic Cure for Inordinate Fear

  • Thread starter Thread starter jmjpensacola
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jmjpensacola

Guest
I have this problem, probably rooted in growing up in unsafe situations as a child, that goes something like this.

I am casually reading the news, and I see a story about a child who has tragically died. I immediately start to panic, thinking that tragedy is coming for my own children. That God is going to take my kids from me to “teach me a lesson” or teach me that I shouldn’t love anything or anyone more than Him.

This is an example, but could go to any number of different scenarios in my life (if I hug my wife too long before I leave, its because I am about to die probably, and God wants to give me one last hug).

I know the fears are disordered and I routinely use discernment of spirits to try and combat these things. But is there a “root” virtue whose opposite needs an axe taken to it?

Thanks and God bless!
 
This is extremely common (as in, probably over 50% or 75% of the population) although for most people it probably doesn’t grow to the level of fear that you have.

They’re phantom fears. Keep a journal by your bed to examine the day/week and document all of the times that you were afraid something was going to happen and it didn’t happen, or it did happen but it wasn’t anywhere nearly as bad as what you thought it would be. Within 6 months you should have a very large list of several pages of all the little moments in life you were worried about nothing, and gradually you’ll retrain your brain to think more rationally. You can then look over this journal as it piles up and smile.
 
Last edited:
jmjpensacola said:
I have this problem, probably rooted in growing up in unsafe situations as a child, that goes something like this.

I am casually reading the news, and I see a story about a child who has tragically died. I immediately start to panic, thinking that tragedy is coming for my own children. That God is going to take my kids from me to “teach me a lesson” or teach me that I shouldn’t love anything or anyone more than Him.

This is an example, but could go to any number of different scenarios in my life (if I hug my wife too long before I leave, its because I am about to die probably, and God wants to give me one last hug).

I know the fears are disordered and I routinely use discernment of spirits to try and combat these things. But is there a “root” virtue whose opposite needs an axe taken to it?

Thanks and God bless!
Click to expand...
I found this prayer about 30 years ago and have it laminated and hanging in the hallway where everyone gets an opportunity to pray it. St Teresa of Avila.

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

(Counselling is of course very helpful if it is overwhelming your life)
 
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
I have the same kinda problem and I have been looking up scripture verses that deal with anxiety and my identity in Christ. I have been working on memorizing them to keep them in my mind constantly. It sounds like you have an anxiety problem(I’m not a dr. though). I have anxiety too and it could be helpful to read a book on dealing with anxiety. Maybe you need to work on trusting God more. Try reading the book called Abondonment to Divine Providence and meditate on Romans 8:28
 
Also 1 John 4:18 says perfect love drives out fear. Maybe working on loving God more. As St Jerome says “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.” and the more you know Him the more you can love Him. Stay away from as much negativity (news or otherwise) as you can and draw closer to God using scripture and the sacraments.
 
Close your eyes and think of Jesus gazing with love you and your little ones, and say gently as often as you need “Jesus, I trust in You”
 
Charlie,

I strongly suggest that you see a mental health professional for your anxiety. It will benefit you. Wish you well.
 
Which is scarier for the audience of CAF, the OP has a slight mental condition or collapse can happen at any moment little by little than by a lot.
 
This just means you are in most need of Jesus’s mercy.

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

And when I feel similarly, I pray, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me; a sinner.” I bless myself, making the sign of the cross. “Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” And Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb Jesus; Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death amen.

Amen. Peace to you. God bless you.
 
The more you try to avoid obtrusive thoughts the more they take control. Admit you have them. Give them a quick eval and let them be. Have a sense of humor if possible. And let them dissipate.
God knows you have them. Give them to Christ wholeheartedly. Christ loves when we give our troubles to him without reservation.
 
  1. Get mental health help if you need it.
  2. Go to Adoration frequently and also pray the Rosary. This (#2) helps my anxiety.
I also try to get enough sleep, eat in a way that doesn’t set me off, and remind myself daily of the various trust-in-God prayers such as “Nada te turbe…” (I understand St. Teresa of Avila suffered from anxiety) , “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry,” “Jesus I Trust in You” and other Divine Mercy prayers.

Again, this is what works for me. Someone else may need something different.
 
Last edited:
I don’t think we can ever escape fearful things in life, but we do have choices in how we respond to them.

I had tests done for cancer in 2011; about a month later the doctor phoned and said he urgently wanted to see me, it was non – Hodgkin Lymphoma. This was a name I recognised, our friend had this cancer, and died a few months later. I prayed for the wisdom, strength, peace and serenity to do God’s will, whether the cancer was a death sentence, or just an inconvenience.

The prayer to do God’s will meant more to me than the cancer, and it gave me a profound sense of peace that is truthfully beyond my understanding. I can only say that from the moment of making this prayer, the thought of cancer has never troubled me for a moment. I can talk about my cancer in the same way as I talk about grocery shopping, to me they are both an inconvenience. I have learned to live in peace with cancer, I just need to learn to live in peace with shopping!

I have never once prayed for healing, at the age of 62, the prayer for healing was too complicated, it might or might not be my time to go. Recognising this peace comes from God, gives me reasons to be thankful.

Fear is a choice, and the peace that God offers is a choice.
 
jmjpensacola said:
That God is going to take my kids from me to “teach me a lesson” or teach me that I shouldn’t love anything or anyone more than Him.
Click to expand...
God is not petty and mean. Humans are petty and mean. It sounds like you grew up with mean authority figures, so that probably is an insight why you’re projecting this on God.

Bad things happen in the world, but it’s not from God swooping down to teach folks a lesson.

That being said, panic disorder is a medical condition that there are real therapies to treat.

🙂❤️:pray:t2:
 
Trust in God. Trust that He often uses therapists to help us, so, do not neglect talking to a professional.

I found two books to help me with fears:

Fr Phillipe’s “Searching For and Maintaining Peace” and Houselander’s “The Reed of God”.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top