What To Do When Doubt Creeps In

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JasonAdams

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I am looking for some personal or spiritual inspiration and guidance as doubt is starting to creep in on me.

I recently was forced to retire early from the military and on a very short timeline thanks to the downsizing. My family and I weren’t ready for such a short notice. I technically have been hired again, but I have been waiting almost two months on a government agency to medically certify me to start this new job. I can’t get any answers and I am starting to lose hope that I will get this certificate and start work soon.

I have been converting to Catholicism since September and have been riding a high of faith and empowerment since then. My faith got me through the early retirement and changes in lifestyle that resulted. My faith got me through several job interviews. I have felt that God is taking me down the path I am on because of the talents and skills he has given me. But I have had this huge obstacle in front of me starting this new career and as each day goes on that obstacle appears to be getting bigger and bigger and less surmountable.

I don’t feel God has abandoned me, but I am not sure what test I am going through or what else He needs me to do. I have been tested on faith, love, patience, humility, understanding, and devotion to name a few things and I have come a long ways in all of those categories. But right now hope is starting to lose its brightness.

I am looking for some spiritual guidance and maybe some good references to read and meditate on. I know there are a lot more worthy things out there demanding God’s attention, but I just need to know what else do I need to do to be able to continue this path he has put me on. I have prayed everyday looking for a sign or guidance and I haven’t heard anything different than what I am already doing. I thank you for your time and thoughts in advance. God bless you all.

Jason
 
Hi Jason,

I am sorry for your struggles.

These are some of the devotions that I would do when faced with my own personal struggles.

If you feel that your doubts continue and that you need some spiritual help, then I would recommend that you talk to your pastor for some spiritual help and guidance. 🙂

Whenever I would be faced with great difficulties, I would go to Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. It brought peace to me.

While there in the church, I would also pray the Stations of the Cross, and would unite my sufferings with Jesus in His Passion.

If I couldn’t get to Adoration, then I would go to church early before Mass, and spend some time quietly there. I would also use that time to pray the Stations of the Cross then.

You can also pray the Stations of the Cross at home too, if you would be interested in doing that. You just need to have a crucifix in order to do that, plus a Stations booklet or leaflet.

Here is a link to the US Catholic Bishop’s website where there are prayers and a description of Adoration too:

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/devotionals/adoration/

Reading about the lives of the Saints has always been very inspirational to me.

There are different websites that offer a “saint of the day” mailing list where you can sign up and get a daily reading about the Saint for that day, whose feast day it is.

Here is a link to a website that offers that feature, in case you are interested:

catholic.org/saints/sofd.php

There is also the Rosary, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, too.

Don’t give up. Keep praying. I just try and take things one day at a time, and that is what I always try and tell everyone else to do, too. Otherwise, anxiety can try and overwhelm us.

When we are suffering, that is when Jesus is closest to us.

I have said some prayers for you, Jason.
 
This might sound strange Jason but some of the most uplifting, inspirational time I have spent (apart from praying, reading the bible, church,) has been watching movies like Ben Hur, Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), The Grapes of Wrath, Schindlers List, The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe…etc…

Reading is great but you have to concentrate and work at it a bit. Sometimes a powerful narrative about life’s epic milestones is better when we can sit back and relax and escape into the story while someone else does the ‘work’ of telling it to us.

And maybe you need to have one of those beautiful moments at the end of a movie where you can’t read the closing credits because your eyes are full of tears.

Public libraries often have DVD’s you can loan. And these (older) type of movies are usually pretty cheap to rent at the local Blockbuster video store.

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JasonAdams said:
I am looking for some personal or spiritual inspiration and guidance as doubt is starting to creep in on me.

I recently was forced to retire early from the military and on a very short timeline thanks to the downsizing. My family and I weren’t ready for such a short notice. I technically have been hired again, but I have been waiting almost two months on a government agency to medically certify me to start this new job. I can’t get any answers and I am starting to lose hope that I will get this certificate and start work soon.

I have been converting to Catholicism since September and have been riding a high of faith and empowerment since then. My faith got me through the early retirement and changes in lifestyle that resulted. My faith got me through several job interviews. I have felt that God is taking me down the path I am on because of the talents and skills he has given me. But I have had this huge obstacle in front of me starting this new career and as each day goes on that obstacle appears to be getting bigger and bigger and less surmountable.

I don’t feel God has abandoned me, but I am not sure what test I am going through or what else He needs me to do. I have been tested on faith, love, patience, humility, understanding, and devotion to name a few things and I have come a long ways in all of those categories. But right now hope is starting to lose its brightness.

I am looking for some spiritual guidance and maybe some good references to read and meditate on. I know there are a lot more worthy things out there demanding God’s attention, but I just need to know what else do I need to do to be able to continue this path he has put me on. I have prayed everyday looking for a sign or guidance and I haven’t heard anything different than what I am already doing. I thank you for your time and thoughts in advance. God bless you all.

Jason
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Welcome home Jason, God bless you on your conversion. Also, thank you for your military service. Pray to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance & direction in your life. Also, pray to St. Joseph to help you find the right area of employment for you. Put on the armour of Christ & keep the faith. I know it seems hard sometimes & it feels like God isn’t hearing your prayers. Just keep in mind that God loves you & He never leaves you. Remember God answers our prayers not in our time but in His. He never gives you any cross that you & He can’t handle together. I’m praying for you & your family. God bless.
 
-hi, i read your post with interest-acutally-just to share- i like to talking to vets, of WW 2, vietnam, etc; my uncle was in the battle of the buldge-he is still living; i have met one of those guys who actually was in a ww2 story i read about -i think his last name was murphy-he was on a raft in teh pacific-as that ship passed with the atomic bomb-the ship could not radio do to risk the cargo-“sharks were a problem…” the old vet told me ( i won’t go into detail;) then there was the vietnam vet; the last 70’s era-of a long war-he was one of those americans that was loading the rush onto planes to leave saigon-the list grows to very interesting vets of whom i meet

perhaps-a simple next step might be to wear a catholic religious medal of your choosing- maybe your patron saint? … …maybe the other forum posters might offer more specific information, if this interests you…best regards, patrick
 
oh, what i meant to say, to continue, was to if you were to find a saint that you like-a further deeper study might help; and so the saint medal to wear is just a reminder of faith and struggles-and resolve of saints…(when life seems to take a rough turn):
so for instance, i like St Patrick-although there is limited things that he wrote-he is pretty good example of a man going through a rough spot; then, there is st. theresa-otherwise known as the little flower; her writing is very popular today (entitled story of a soul)-again expressing how life and faith hit a rough spot-even doubt being expressed and resolved…well thanks and have a good day, patrick in kentucky
 
:gopray:

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.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now ever shall be world without end
Amen.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

:signofcross:
 
Praying that the Lord may strengthen you and guide you. Also praying for all necessary graces for you.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
 
Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and responses. You have all actually given me plenty to read, pray, and meditate on so I’ll be enjoying my weekend reading and reflecting. Although we may be strangers by sight and name, its comforting how many brothers and sisters in God I have out there.

I know God isn’t going to provide me a map showing me Point A to Point B, but my heart and mind were receiving clear signals on the path I was headed. But for some reason there are more roadblocks that overpasses so far. I guess I should say that I am confused about what I am dealing with and not that I doubt God’s love for me.

Again thank you all for your responses, God bless.

Jason
 
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst 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 death.

Amen.
 
Hi, Jason, I pray your June post reliably indicates your ok and growing in your communion with our Divine Trinity. So this post is more for anyone else who reads this–for inquirers at RCIA or others wondering about Catholicism, especially young people, I recommend CS Lewis’ Surprised by Joy. And to all other readers, as well. I admit, he tells a lot about his schooling, and skipped much of it until after I read the rest.
Lewis also wrote a very clever and wise short allegory about the obstacles to faith facing a protestant youth, titled The Pilgrim’s Regress.
For those recently finished RCIA, especially in parishes where there is no follow-on program for faith sharing (such as SCC, which I strongly recommend), I suggest Dr Scott Hahn’s Rome, Sweet Home or Timothy Drake’s There We Stood, Here We Stand.
Please use these links:
To RCIA Group: forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=1487
or similar Group: forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=971
To SCC Group: forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=423
 
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