Whatever...

[PiousTemplar]

I’m sick of always having arguments in my family over the smallest things and always being in a bad mood. I’m sick of always having to raise my voice and shout to ever get a point across. I’m sick of trying to be Catholic but having no Catholic friends and having no Christian members in my intermediate family. I’m sick of feeling like a complete hypocrite of a Christian. I’m sick of going to a secular school everyday to hear our Lord being blasphemed against in just about every sentence, and then feeling like a complete hypocrite of a Christian because I don’t even try to stop them anymore; it just happens so much you almost grow to put up with it. If I do make an obvious hint, I’m called a ‘retard’ or ‘weird’ as it’s hardly politically correct. I’m sick of being called ‘a homophobe’ or ‘a paedophile’ or ‘a religious bigot’ by atheists I go to school with, simply because I uphold the traditional view of marriage, don’t watch porn and don’t masturbate. I’m sick of being insulted and mocked by my siblings. I feel that going to Church is my only refuge where I actually feel happy in life. I feel that my parish priest and friends I have there are the only ones that have true meaning to me. Sometimes I just feel sick of life as it is.

 

[Edward_H]

I’m sick of always having arguments in my family over the smallest things and always being in a bad mood. I’m sick of always having to raise my voice and shout to ever get a point across. I’m sick of trying to be Catholic but having no Catholic friends and having no Christian members in my intermediate family. I’m sick of feeling like a complete hypocrite of a Christian. I’m sick of going to a secular school everyday to hear our Lord being blasphemed against in just about every sentence, and then feeling like a complete hypocrite of a Christian because I don’t even try to stop them anymore; it just happens so much you almost grow to put up with it. If I do make an obvious hint, I’m called a ‘retard’ or ‘weird’ as it’s hardly politically correct. I’m sick of being called ‘a homophobe’ or ‘a paedophile’ or ‘a religious bigot’ by atheists I go to school with, simply because I uphold the traditional view of marriage, don’t watch porn and don’t masturbate. I’m sick of being insulted and mocked by my siblings. I feel that going to Church is my only refuge where I actually feel happy in life. I feel that my parish priest and friends I have there are the only ones that have true meaning to me. Sometimes I just feel sick of life as it is.

What a great prayer to take to the Father. I mean it. Tell the Father how you are in the most sincerest, child-like way. Do it. Tell Him.

You’re getting close to your entry into the Church it appears…you will be tempted by all manner of annoyances and frustrations…there wil be waves of these things put in front of you.

You cannot deal with these frustations alone. You cannot. You can deal with them with prayer and sacrifice, and soon the Sacraments. Graces (help) will come to you through these means.

Pray now those very words you gave us above, but to the Father. Ask for His help, for His grace. Pray for 10 minutes a day like that. Use paper and pen…write out your prayer if that helps get your points across…then destroy them. Destroy them. “Give them” to God to worry about.

How you handle this period is supernaturally important for someone around you.

Smile more and pray more.

“Forgive. Say nothing. Pray, work, and smile” [St Josemaria]

Note…it’s in the “saying nothing” part where we can truly grow, going against our old grain, so to speak.

 

[Dorothy]

Remember that our Lord Jesus Christ said “You will be hated because of me.” It is not easy, but with His grace you can draw closer to Him in spite of the opposition you experience.

Hopefully soon you will find companions who feel the way you do about the faith. Good Christian community is very important. Perhaps there is a bible study in your parish or a nearby parish that you can attend.

 

[littleone]

Praise God for another who feels the heat of being christian.
Brother you don’t have to say anything rather be with them but not as them (as Jesus tells us). I lived 19 years working with people like this and then in playing squash for 10 years with the same, and on the committee they did the same as they swapped wives etc.
Praise God don’t complain this is a blessing.
All you have to do is under your breath say "Father forgive them for they know not what they do"and you don;t have to say it out loud. Then you can say Father i pray for them and will praise You when they do not.
Cool, go for it you are blessed.
Godbless
littleone

 

[erine]

Right before I was to be confirmed someone I didn’t know was Mormon started attacking my faith. I have also had the same or similar feelings that you are having. Keep praying and don’t give up. Maybe you will plant a seed in some people for Christ that you don’t even know. Also pray to have Catholic friends! <3 erine

 

[JRKH]

I’m sick of always having arguments in my family over the smallest things and always being in a bad mood. I’m sick of always having to raise my voice and shout to ever get a point across. I’m sick of trying to be Catholic but having no Catholic friends and having no Christian members in my intermediate family. I’m sick of feeling like a complete hypocrite of a Christian. I’m sick of going to a secular school everyday to hear our Lord being blasphemed against in just about every sentence, and then feeling like a complete hypocrite of a Christian because I don’t even try to stop them anymore; it just happens so much you almost grow to put up with it. If I do make an obvious hint, I’m called a ‘retard’ or ‘weird’ as it’s hardly politically correct. I’m sick of being called ‘a homophobe’ or ‘a paedophile’ or ‘a religious bigot’ by atheists I go to school with, simply because I uphold the traditional view of marriage, don’t watch porn and don’t masturbate. I’m sick of being insulted and mocked by my siblings. I feel that going to Church is my only refuge where I actually feel happy in life. I feel that my parish priest and friends I have there are the only ones that have true meaning to me. Sometimes I just feel sick of life as it is.

Dear one,
Consider how you have been given this gift of knowing how many of the Christians of the first and second centuries must have felt.

Even how Jesus, in his human emotions, must have felt at times…when the crowds, and even the Apostles, did not grasp His teaching.

We struggle, it is true. For we are a people set apart who must, none the less, exist and function in the world. This includes all sorts of blasphemies, ridicule and spite. All of this is nothing more than the evil one seeking to assail the unassailable fortress of God’s Church.

As another has already said, take this to God in Prayer. Tell Him how sick you are. How troubled of spirit and how lacking in strength. Rest in Him for a time. Go to Church, to adoration, to just sitting in front of the Tabernacle.
Cease arguing with others for they will not hear you. Seek instead that internal peace that comes with drawing close to God. He will restore you and will give you the strength you need to persevere.

May God continue to bless you - and fell free to come and rant anytime…

Peace
James

 

[PiousTemplar]

Thank you guys
God Bless

 

[Nimzovik]

LOL!! I know what you mean!! Deep sigh…

 

[EmeraldWings]

I’m sick of always having arguments in my family over the smallest things and always being in a bad mood. I’m sick of always having to raise my voice and shout to ever get a point across. I’m sick of trying to be Catholic but having no Catholic friends and having no Christian members in my intermediate family. I’m sick of feeling like a complete hypocrite of a Christian. I’m sick of going to a secular school everyday to hear our Lord being blasphemed against in just about every sentence, and then feeling like a complete hypocrite of a Christian because I don’t even try to stop them anymore; it just happens so much you almost grow to put up with it. If I do make an obvious hint, I’m called a ‘retard’ or ‘weird’ as it’s hardly politically correct. I’m sick of being called ‘a homophobe’ or ‘a paedophile’ or ‘a religious bigot’ by atheists I go to school with, simply because I uphold the traditional view of marriage, don’t watch porn and don’t masturbate. I’m sick of being insulted and mocked by my siblings. I feel that going to Church is my only refuge where I actually feel happy in life. I feel that my parish priest and friends I have there are the only ones that have true meaning to me. Sometimes I just feel sick of life as it is.

But you’ve done nothing wrong, be at peace because God is pleased with you…these people can’t take from you the most important thing - your soul…of course i know it hurts, but remember who you are fighting for, not yourself, but God, and since it’s God you are fighting for, He will send you help and comfort, even if it’s stressful and painful alot of the time, God gives us a break when we need it…so when you’re feeling like it’s just to much, don’t despair, trust that God will replenish you and comfort you and prepare you for what you have to face.

but don’t think you have to rebuke a person(or persons) over and over again, because there is a cutoff point, a point at which we kick the dust from our feet, as we are told - “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet.” Matthew 10:14
*
“But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.
And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.”* Matthew 18:17

“A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, avoid” Titus 3:10

we should not put off rebuking or admonishing someone when it’s good to do so, but we don’t have to persist in rebuking them, but instead just pray and try being a good example.
and sometimes if you see it would be more harmful to say something, either because you know the person well enough to know what they would do or because you don’t think you could admonish them properly, then either get someone who can do it, or just pray.

it’s wearisome dealing with the world right now…because it seems like nothing is getting better, and sometimes you really feel alone…but Jesus and His Blessed Mother will support and guide you, so never neglect to ask for their help,
and even if things seem bad, wait and pray, and God may surprise you.

here are a few things i think will help you - gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=21533807
gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=12961543
gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=12961507

ok, hope this helps, take care.

 

[John_Carlton]

My dear friend

What you are experiencing is part and parcel with the Gospels. You ought to be sick if you are not experiencing insults against your Faith. Think about that, it might make you feel better. As a convert, it works for me. If I do my job than I will be hated by those with no morals. In my college I gave a pro-life, pro-marriage speech before a group of lesbians, socialists and deconsructionists.

I was their token Religious guy.

But anyway. Your trials, if you let them, will give you strength. My sister is Wiccan, my mother goes to the Church of Oprah, my other sister is a deist. My best friend, whom I am seriously considering distancing myself from, is a lukewarm heretic that constantly tries to tempt me into adultery with the whores he finds.

The point is that trials are necessary. But think of it this way: at least we aren’t being beheaded by a bunch of English heretics for being Papists… give it time.

But until then, pray. I’m currently teaching myself Latin prayers. Keep fresh with Apologetics, remind yourself what The Faith is and why she is so precious to us.

Gott mit uns,

 

[fred_conty]

Hi,
Sounds as though you’re puting gold in that treasure box in heaven.

When you’re not fed up, then you need to worry, then you have become
what you don’t like.

I had a monthly golf game with those I worked with number of years ago.
First hole, gd this, and jc that.
Second hole, repeated.
Then I thought, I can’t take this. Next hole I’m quitting.
I knew it would not do any good saying anything, they would probably
do it all the more just to annoy me.
So the the thought came to me, “why don’t you say a prayer
in reparation every time they curse.”
So I did.
Towards the last holes, they weren’t saying it.

Ask Jesus to give you a breather. And I’m proud of you
that you’re praying for them.

 

[PiousTemplar]

Thank you very much guys. I think it went better than normal today, only 3 blasphemies. I think my main concern now is just myself being a hypocrite of a Christian. Because I have only atheist friends, and go to a secular school, and have a quite hostile anti-Christian family (My mother is a non-practicing methodist, but she fully supports abortion, euthenasia, and dislikes the Church), it feels like I am only ‘Christian’ when I am at Church, or on the weekends. I often forget about God during the day, because he is never a topic or is relevant to the conversations that take place. I guess I don’t feel like a model Catholic because I often succumb to political correctness while at School, and loose a strong sense of what is sin and what isn’t. I find it extremely hard to be a faithful Catholic in my situation, and I always think of Jesus when he was calling out the hypocritical Pharisees, and think of myself in the same place as them. I love my Catholic faith more than anything, but I truly loose sense of who I am in a completely atheist environment. Sometimes during the day I ask myself 'Am I being the best Christian I can be? What would Jesus think of me at the moment? But I am blinded, I just have no idea.
I feel my prayers are worthless, as It feels like I am trying to lie to Him. God doesn’t accept the prayers of hypocritical, self-righteous sinners. Even now I think God is annoyed at me for acting sorry for myself.

 

[choliks]

Hi PT, I’ll echo what many posters have said in CAF… the Church was not founded on supermen, but on a frail human being. In the face of adversity, we will sometimes (if not most of the time) fold. The important is we stand up again. Be like Peter.

Pray always for courage and faith to remain steadfast.

PS: by humbly admitting your failures, you cannot become the pharisees that Jesus spoke about.

 

[JRKH]

Thank you very much guys. I think it went better than normal today, only 3 blasphemies. I think my main concern now is just myself being a hypocrite of a Christian.

Glad to hear that we have been some help. As to feeling like a hypocrite, I’d say that such a feeling is good in a way. It shows that you recognize your weaknesses. Unfortunately what it does not show is your strengths and gifts. Something to consider in your prayer time.

Because I have only atheist friends, and go to a secular school, and have a quite hostile anti-Christian family (My mother is a non-practicing methodist, but she fully supports abortion, euthenasia, and dislikes the Church), it feels like I am only ‘Christian’ when I am at Church, or on the weekends.

This is a very difficult situation, especially when it is in your own family. It can be very draining when you feel that you have no support whatsoever.

I often forget about God during the day, because he is never a topic or is relevant to the conversations that take place.

I have found that subtle little things can help recall God to me during the day. For instance, I wear what is called a “four way” (example here). I wear it under my shirt, so it is not obvious to others AND it is quite near to my skin. It’s movement reminds me that it is there and thus reminds me of God’s presence in my life. I also carry a rosary in a small pouch in my pocket. Each time I reach in my pocket, I feel it and it reminds me of God. You might like to try something like this as well. Something simple to remind you of God in your life.

I guess I don’t feel like a model Catholic because I often succumb to political correctness while at School, and loose a strong sense of what is sin and what isn’t. I find it extremely hard to be a faithful Catholic in my situation, and I always think of Jesus when he was calling out the hypocritical Pharisees, and think of myself in the same place as them.

I actually see you as being the exact reverse of the Pharisees. They were all “holy” on the outside but corrupt on the inside, whereas you are seeking to be truly holy on the inside but struggling with the persona that you project. There sin was in pride and presumption. Your struggle is a on the opposite side - you are struggling with personal frustration and in danger of despairing. This means that you are on the right track. Don’t give in to the despair. We are here to help if we can.
As to “political correctness” and such…I honestly do not disagree entirely with PC in many cases. There can be a fine line between being a True loving Christian, and being a religiously bigoted zealot…Love is the key and always will be.
Where being PC expresses a genuine love and desire to draw the good out of others, and see the good in others, I think it is fine. However, if PC reaches the point of silencing critical views, it looses it’s effectiveness.

I love my Catholic faith more than anything, but I truly loose sense of who I am in a completely atheist environment. Sometimes during the day I ask myself 'Am I being the best Christian I can be? What would Jesus think of me at the moment? But I am blinded, I just have no idea.

I do not know you personally, but I can honestly say that you ARE being the best Christian you can be at that moment. Can you be better? Absolutely - so can we all. None has yet reached perfection. Ours is a journey of growth, of seeking to rely more and more on God and to live more and more for Him. Christ has great mercy as well as great expectations. Look at how Peter (and indeed all the apostles) abandoned Him during the Passion. Peter even denied Him three times, and when he realized it he wept bitterly.
Jesus knew that Peter would deny him. He also knew that Peter would turn back to Him and Jesus accepted him back and gave him the great commission to feed His sheep.

I feel my prayers are worthless, as It feels like I am trying to lie to Him. God doesn’t accept the prayers of hypocritical, self-righteous sinners. Even now I think God is annoyed at me for acting sorry for myself.

This sounds very much like the evil one working on you in subtle ways. Trying to drag you down in despair. Do not give in. God may not accept the prayers of self righteous sinners, but he does accept the prayers of humble children struggling to do their best in very difficult situations.

Is there anyone at your church who you can talk to? Your priest? Youth leader? Deacon? I really think you might benefit from some good one-on-one spiritual counseling and direction…

Peace
James

 

[odile53]

^@ Fred–on my last golf outing I said the Glory Be everytime someone blasphemed. By the ninth hole they knocked it off. It probably helped too that I had the lowest score of the foursome. Hey, maybe I won that round because of the prayers!

Pious, you can do what I threatened once to do at work–every time someone made antiCatholic remarks, I threatened to go to human resources and complain about a hostile work environment. Nobody where I work wants to get reported to HR!

The way I look at it, if all sorts of groups can complain about discrimination and harassment, I can, too, if antiCatholic remarks are being made. If my faith and morals make me about as popular as a skunk at a garden party, in a pretty neo-pagan and homophilic environment, I’m still entitled to the full protection of the law. Someone else I work with used the very public affair between a department head and the CEO as grounds for a sexual harassment complaint. She took it outside the organization right to the governing body. The truth of the matter is that the department head’s sphere of influence has been expanded to the point where she is clearly overstepping her function in the organization, and impacting the quality of the product we deliver.

Sometimes, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

 

[fred_conty]

^@ Fred–on my last golf outing I said the Glory Be everytime someone blasphemed. By the ninth hole they knocked it off. It probably helped too that I had the lowest score of the foursome. Hey, maybe I won that round because of the prayers!

Pious, you can do what I threatened once to do at work–every time someone made antiCatholic remarks, I threatened to go to human resources and complain about a hostile work environment. Nobody where I work wants to get reported to HR!

The way I look at it, if all sorts of groups can complain about discrimination and harassment, I can, too, if antiCatholic remarks are being made. If my faith and morals make me about as popular as a skunk at a garden party, in a pretty neo-pagan and homophilic environment, I’m still entitled to the full protection of the law. Someone else I work with used the very public affair between a department head and the CEO as grounds for a sexual harassment complaint. She took it outside the organization right to the governing body. The truth of the matter is that the department head’s sphere of influence has been expanded to the point where she is clearly overstepping her function in the organization, and impacting the quality of the product we deliver.

Sometimes, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

Hi Odil53,
I feel cheated. The Father didn’t give me a very good score on my golf game. I’m going to complain to him about that.

When I play, I like to kid Him. One day as I was ready to hit the ball on the first tee, I told him that He didn’t need to show me anything about golf because I knew more than he did and that I was a better player. I took my shoot, the ball hit a tree and came to a stop behind the tee. This is between you and me. I couldn’t believe it. I sort of smiled. Then I said to him that that was just an accident and I’ll show you what I can do. The next shot off the tee it hit a stump and stopped behind some trees about 50 yards from the tee.
I grumbled and said that was just an accident. The next shot, the ball hit another tree.
I finally said, ok I’ve had enough. And the next shot was as pretty as you please.

I wouldn’t recommend making any cheap remarks to him.