What would you do if everything were against you?

[Cybophonia]

What would you do if everything were against you in a certain circumstance? Like the wind that blows very hard from your front… Like finding animosity in the most easiest , basic , insignificant part of your plan? Finding difficulty in the lowest of things, having to make a hard effort, while others on the same path , who even came afterwards seem to have everything easy, luckily without effort? Something like being unlucky and lucky… Would you continue to push forward or abandon it? Would you think it is not part of God’s plan? I literally feel like I have been cursed by God, everything I do, no matter how much the effort it gets wasted, and i got into such a point that I am very affected spiritually and mentally, I feel I don’t have the mental and spiritual power to continue. I have felt like this for the past 3-4 months. Everything I do I feel I have a wall in front of me. Also my head has been hurting in one part of the head for over a month. A few weeks ago it grew a lump there. Then it kind of withdraw(i feel like a pressure on my head) the doctor said it is the face bone, etc… and to go again if it continues to hurt. So I will go again to have it check, as it hurts continuously . What do you think of all this? What should I make of all this? What is the meaning of all this?

 

[Kateri92]

What would you do if everything were against you in a certain circumstance? Like the wind that blows very hard from your front… Like finding animosity in the most easiest , basic , insignificant part of your plan? Finding difficulty in the lowest of things, having to make a hard effort, while others on the same path , who even came afterwards seem to have everything easy, luckily without effort? Something like being unlucky and lucky… Would you continue to push forward or abandon it? Would you think it is not part of God’s plan? I literally feel like I have been cursed by God, everything I do, no matter how much the effort it gets wasted, and i got into such a point that I am very affected spiritually and mentally, I feel I don’t have the mental and spiritual power to continue. I have felt like this for the past 3-4 months. Everything I do I feel I have a wall in front of me. Also my head has been hurting in one part of the head for over a month. A few weeks ago it grew a lump there. Then it kind of withdraw(i feel like a pressure on my head) the doctor said it is the face bone, etc… and to go again if it continues to hurt. So I will go again to have it check, as it hurts continuously . What do you think of all this? What should I make of all this? What is the meaning of all this?

We have no option but to press on. God has promised that he will be with us while we carry our crosses. I am in the same situation right now. I feel like everything that was going for me has self-destructed and right now I feel like I’m in the dessert. I don’t question God though because he is Good and never abandons his children. The cross is not negotiable. Its a requirement. If times are hard it is because God is preparing you for heaven. Never give up on God. He is always there even if our senses are dimmed.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Without knowing what it is you are trying to do, I can’t opine on whether what you are trying to do is “God’s will” and if you tell me I probably still can’t.

But I have a similar issue. Is an obstacle of great or small impact, a “hurdle” to jump and become stronger, or a “signal” to turn another way and learn humility and accept the loss of that path.

For starters, I’m reminded of Solomon. Instead of trying to address your situation directly, learn to open to transforming by the Holy Spirit which is easy to say but Saints have spent lifetimes learning to do. One way many people use in this attempt involves contemplative prayer forms which seeks a certain silence or at least letting go of control by the calculating carnal mind. The harder you fight a problem, it often fights back even harder, like for example mentally trying to to think of sinful things. Even my mention is going to trigger sinful thoughts – Rom says a lot about this.

2 Chron 1
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him: Whatever you ask, I will give you. 8 Solomon answered God: “You have shown great favor to David my father, and you have made me king to succeed him. 9 Now, Lord God, may your word to David my father be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me, therefore, wisdom and knowledge to govern this people, for otherwise who could rule this vast people of yours?” 11 God then replied to Solomon: Because this has been your wish—you did not ask for riches, treasures, and glory, or the life of those who hate you, or even for a long life for yourself, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge in order to rule my people over whom I have made you king— 12 wisdom and knowledge are given you. I will also give you riches, treasures, and glory, such as kings before you never had, nor will those who come after you.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Whether I would sally forth or cease and desist depends upon what I was trying to do in first place. Sometimes, giving up isn’t an option no matter how difficult it is to continue. Sometimes, it’s the best course of action because what I was trying to accomplish should never have been attempted in the first place. And then there is the myriad of possibility between those two.

If this happens in my spiritual life and I truly cannot figure out what to do, I consult with my spiritual director. I am horrible at discerning the will of God on my own.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Whether I would sally forth or cease and desist depends upon what I was trying to do in first place. Sometimes, giving up isn’t an option no matter how difficult it is to continue. Sometimes, it’s the best course of action because what I was trying to accomplish should never have been attempted in the first place. And then there is the myriad of possibility between those two.

If this happens in my spiritual life and I truly cannot figure out what to do, I consult with my spiritual director. I am horrible at discerning the will of God on my own.

What do you mean by giving up isn’t an option? Is that like if external factors beyond your control are compelling you to continue forward regardless of your own decision? Such as being required by a legitimate or irresistible force or authority?

 

[DebChris]

I’ve been in that situation in the past. It led to my first retreat, an Easter retreat beginning on Good Friday. It was part of God’s call on my life. It is often during the crisis points in our lives that we are most open to the gifts that He has for us, that is if we are willing to let go and listen, which is admittedly not always easy.
I cannot tell you what to do in your particular case. Just as I choose not be specific, I will likewise respect your right to privacy,

That being said, I am currently reading books about positivity and the happiness advantage, or how to develop a more optimistic outlook. It makes sense that those who are optimistic, as opposed to those who have a more pessimistic view of life set more goals and put more effort into obtaining those goals. They are more engaged in life and better able to face difficulty and rise obstacles more easily.

Jesus said,“I came that they might have life, life to the fullest.” Life does have its ups and downs, it mountain top experiences and its moments when we feel like we are in a rut from which we just can’t seem to get out. We can’t always change our circumstances, but we can change how we look at them which in turn may very well open our mind and hearts to ideas and inspirations on how to deal with the obstacles we face in life. We do have a divine source we can ask.

One of the practices recommended in the book that I am currently reading, The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor is to make a gratitude list. This is something that I am going to try. Using a steno book and pen, each night make a list of 3 items for which you are thankful. They can be large or small, like an unexpected hug and kiss or getting that interview for the job who applied for. In order to be effective it needs to become part of a ritual.

I see how this Gratitude list could be incorporated into a nightly 10 minute examen. I learned a little about this through our local diocesan paper. The acronym is GRACE. G stands for gratitude, a time for thanking God for the blessings of the day. R is a request for light. C is Chart your course and a place where an Act of Contrition can be made. Since I am charting my course I can see this as a time when I could make my do list in light of God would have me follow His Will (R) with E which enthusiasm or entreat. This is the time for petitions.

 

[Adonia]

I would grin and bear things and at the end come out the victor. At one point I even stopped praying and going to church but in the end came back to where I needed to be. Even now, every day continues to be a struggle but I count my blessings and continue to move forward with God’s help. What else can a person do? We are here in this life and just have to tough things out - just like Jesus did.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

What do you mean by giving up isn’t an option? Is that like if external factors beyond your control are compelling you to continue forward regardless of your own decision? Such as being required by a legitimate or irresistible force or authority?

In some cases, yes, though I would state it as “external factors beyond my control are compelling me to continue forward regardless of my own inclination.” I generally don’t choose to throw in the towel but go on anyway—I continue in spite of my desire to stop. There is a subtle difference between wanting to do something and actually deciding to do it.

In other cases, it could be the mere knowledge that objectively it would not be the right course of action to stop. No external factors oblige me to press forward, but I know quitting would be the wrong choice.

 

[DebChris]

One of the difficult parts when everything seems like it is against us is that we often think that we can handle this alone. We wonder when will this ever pass as everybody around us says “buck up and carry on.” While there are times that we do need to be alone during a crisis, it is also the time when we need the support of friends and family more than ever, if they are available. Don’t isolate yourself, but do listen to what they might have to offer. Remember that you are not God and you are not expected to have all the answers, but to lean on the one who does. It is also amazing how much reaching out to others can take our focus off ourselves and our own problems and actually bring clarity and possible solutions.

 

[Trident_H]

What would you do if everything were against you in a certain circumstance? Like the wind that blows very hard from your front… Like finding animosity in the most easiest , basic , insignificant part of your plan? Finding difficulty in the lowest of things, having to make a hard effort, while others on the same path , who even came afterwards seem to have everything easy, luckily without effort? Something like being unlucky and lucky… Would you continue to push forward or abandon it? Would you think it is not part of God’s plan? I literally feel like I have been cursed by God, everything I do, no matter how much the effort it gets wasted, and i got into such a point that I am very affected spiritually and mentally, I feel I don’t have the mental and spiritual power to continue. I have felt like this for the past 3-4 months. Everything I do I feel I have a wall in front of me. Also my head has been hurting in one part of the head for over a month. A few weeks ago it grew a lump there. Then it kind of withdraw(i feel like a pressure on my head) the doctor said it is the face bone, etc… and to go again if it continues to hurt. So I will go again to have it check, as it hurts continuously . What do you think of all this? What should I make of all this? What is the meaning of all this?

Yeah I know what this is like. But the difference in my case is that it’s pretty much permanent and it’s mostly my fault. So I deal with it. As it is. I mean I hope things get better for you. I really do.

Peace.

-Trident

 

[Cybophonia]

We have no option but to press on. God has promised that he will be with us while we carry our crosses. I am in the same situation right now. I feel like everything that was going for me has self-destructed and right now I feel like I’m in the dessert. I don’t question God though because he is Good and never abandons his children. The cross is not negotiable. Its a requirement. If times are hard it is because God is preparing you for heaven. Never give up on God. He is always there even if our senses are dimmed.

I’m not the religious type, but the humanist one. What do you mean we have no option but to press on?

 

[Trident_H]

I’m not the religious type, but the humanist one. What do you mean we have no option but to press on?

Well did you have another idea? I mean did you think there was a way to do this without pressing on? I don’t know.

Peace.

-Trident

 

[Cybophonia]

Well did you have another idea? I mean did you think there was a way to do this without pressing on? I don’t know.

Peace.

-Trident

Of course not. But then there is also the other option of not doing it.

 

[Cybophonia]

What do you mean by giving up isn’t an option? Is that like if external factors beyond your control are compelling you to continue forward regardless of your own decision? Such as being required by a legitimate or irresistible force or authority?

To me it felt like the other way around.

 

[Trident_H]

Of course not. But then there is also the other option of not doing it.

Oh. Ok. I guess that’s obvious. Sorry I missed that.

Did you want to let me know what your problem is? I mean I can be a pretty good listener. I don’t know. I guess I’ve been through a lot too so maybe I’ll understand.

You can PM me if you want.

Peace.

-Trident

 

[Cybophonia]

I’ve been in that situation in the past. It led to my first retreat, an Easter retreat beginning on Good Friday. It was part of God’s call on my life. It is often during the crisis points in our lives that we are most open to the gifts that He has for us, that is if we are willing to let go and listen, which is admittedly not always easy.
I cannot tell you what to do in your particular case. Just as I choose not be specific, I will likewise respect your right to privacy,

That being said, I am currently reading books about positivity and the happiness advantage, or how to develop a more optimistic outlook. It makes sense that those who are optimistic, as opposed to those who have a more pessimistic view of life set more goals and put more effort into obtaining those goals. They are more engaged in life and better able to face difficulty and rise obstacles more easily.

Jesus said,“I came that they might have life, life to the fullest.” Life does have its ups and downs, it mountain top experiences and its moments when we feel like we are in a rut from which we just can’t seem to get out. We can’t always change our circumstances, but we can change how we look at them which in turn may very well open our mind and hearts to ideas and inspirations on how to deal with the obstacles we face in life. We do have a divine source we can ask.

One of the practices recommended in the book that I am currently reading, The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor is to make a gratitude list. This is something that I am going to try. Using a steno book and pen, each night make a list of 3 items for which you are thankful. They can be large or small, like an unexpected hug and kiss or getting that interview for the job who applied for. In order to be effective it needs to become part of a ritual.

I see how this Gratitude list could be incorporated into a nightly 10 minute examen. I learned a little about this through our local diocesan paper. The acronym is GRACE. G stands for gratitude, a time for thanking God for the blessings of the day. R is a request for light. C is Chart your course and a place where an Act of Contrition can be made. Since I am charting my course I can see this as a time when I could make my do list in light of God would have me follow His Will (R) with E which enthusiasm or entreat. This is the time for petitions.

Being an immigrant in another country going through some rough times… Not working sufficiently, being a temp, hardly living as the days pass.

 

[Rynard]

Be rest assured, thing like these are allowed to happen.

I will draw from my own life to try to assuage your pressure. I moved to another state five years ago. I was just convinced the Catholic Church was the true Church. Fair enough right? Anyway, I began Catechism classes, and also began working at a local plant. Okay, here’s where the story draws a parallel:

I was convinced that if I wanted to save my soul, I needed to start praying–the morning prayers, and the evening prayers. “Say three hail Marys in the morning, and three in the evening, and you will be granted the grace to save your soul.” Okay, I said them. But suddenly, I was “assaulted” with something more difficult: “Pray the Rosary every day and you will SURELY be saved.”

I am going to give you my whole story in another couple paragraphs. I did extensive study, and I believe this to be true.

So this is what I did. I didn’t have the gumption to pray five decades every day, so I began with one every couple days. Then one decade every day. It was gradual, but I didn’t feel force against me yet. Then I got up to five decades every night. This was only the beginning. Suddenly, I was thrust into a spiritual journey that would change the rest of my life forever. I was an avid journal’er, and so I have every step documented.

Have you ever heard of the “Interior Castle,” or “The Mansions” (the same book) by St. Teresa of Avila? What was beginning to happen inside of me was that I was entering the successive mansions of my soul, and by prayer, penance, and regular acts of contrition, converted each mansion to God. Bear in mind I wasn’t baptized yet, but with a firm purpose for wanting baptism, I may have had “baptism of desire.” But I digress into irrelevance.

When you begin to enter your interior mansions, you will face great storms. I was constantly assaulted by demons, because I was making my way to a full conversion to the true God–to have Him rest in my innermost crevice, the utter recesses of my soul. It was extremely challenging and took, sometimes, all of myself.

Basically, my story tells of this: don’t feel dissuaded due to these things. I prayed the Rosary for four months, and then had a life-shattering conversion that will reverberate for eternity (God willing…). Remember, “Faith and works,” and yes it took very much labor and work to continue praying and converting the cavities of my soul, but is it worth it? Yes. So take these affronts as graces from God, and bear them well. Pray, and He will see you through it – at least the morning and evening hail Marys. God bless.

 

[DebChris]

Being an immigrant in another country going through some rough times… Not working sufficiently, being a temp, hardly living as the days pass.

I could easily focus on the fact that I’m not working at all. The Happiness advantage does not overlook the realities of life. It looks instead for the posistives. What three good things happened within the past 24 hours. For instance, I’m not going to focus on being in the ER yesterday and almost being hospitalized.
I came home and was able to sleep in my own bed.
I have friends who care about my health.
I updated my resume and had two hits already.

Pray for a turn around in your life. During the darkest period of my life, and this is not it, I was given the 1st Letter of St. John to read. I was also given Romans 8 to read, which did not comfort me until later. Read both of those.

 

[Cybophonia]

I could easily focus on the fact that I’m not working at all. The Happiness advantage does not overlook the realities of life. It looks instead for the posistives. What three good things happened within the past 24 hours. For instance, I’m not going to focus on being in the ER yesterday and almost being hospitalized.
I came home and was able to sleep in my own bed.
I have friends who care about my health.
I updated my resume and had two hits already.

Pray for a turn around in your life. During the darkest period of my life, and this is not it, I was given the 1st Letter of St. John to read. I was also given Romans 8 to read, which did not comfort me until later. Read both of those.

Besides work I don’t have another source of income. Nor any welfare or benefits. I do not receive unemployment benefit. So my dilemma comes down to this, should I keep trying here or return to my country? My feel’ was often that i should get a diploma in theology.

I am comforted by art and spirituality, thanks.

Sometimes no matter the position of your body you feel your soul is kneeled.

 

[Still_Hoping]

What would you do if everything were against you in a certain circumstance? Like the wind that blows very hard from your front… Like finding animosity in the most easiest , basic , insignificant part of your plan? Finding difficulty in the lowest of things, having to make a hard effort, while others on the same path , who even came afterwards seem to have everything easy, luckily without effort? Something like being unlucky and lucky… Would you continue to push forward or abandon it? Would you think it is not part of God’s plan? I literally feel like I have been cursed by God, everything I do, no matter how much the effort it gets wasted, and i got into such a point that I am very affected spiritually and mentally, I feel I don’t have the mental and spiritual power to continue. I have felt like this for the past 3-4 months. Everything I do I feel I have a wall in front of me. Also my head has been hurting in one part of the head for over a month. A few weeks ago it grew a lump there. Then it kind of withdraw(i feel like a pressure on my head) the doctor said it is the face bone, etc… and to go again if it continues to hurt. So I will go again to have it check, as it hurts continuously . What do you think of all this? What should I make of all this? What is the meaning of all this?

Your body is trying to tell you something and maybe your spirit is not where it should be. I feel like this a lot, especially if things don’t go as expected. Understand that God should be in control of your life. Let Him guide you. I felt like that today and I started to go down the path of misery and I snapped on my DH who did nothing wrong except to annoy me. I excused myself but unfortunately he is angry. Nonetheless, let it be. God will find you a way that is far greater than what we can envision. There is a reason for the struggle, find what gives you peace and go that way.

As for your health, I would suggest to go further and ask a second opinion or to have tests done. Take care and God bless. Remember to pray and ask for what you need in Jesus’ name. It will be given you.