Jesus said, “Without Me, you can do nothing.” That’s why it’s futile to try and rely on your own efforts.
The supernatural is full of paradoxes. But these contradictions are only apparent, rather than real. This is because truth is so crammed with content that our tiny brains cannot wrap themselves around all of it.
Great analogy. As a writer, I can appreciate that. I know this is going to sound horrible but it seems that we cannot enjoy life very much if this is the case. I know we are told that those who are persecuted and such are blessed. What about those in a constant state of melancholy trying to follow the path of Christ?
If you are in a constant state of melancholy, you may be experiencing depression. Mention it to your doctor. There may be changes in your diet and exercise routine that he can recommend to you, to alleviate this problem.Great analogy. As a writer, I can appreciate that. I know this is going to sound horrible but it seems that we cannot enjoy life very much if this is the case. I know we are told that those who are persecuted and such are blessed. What about those in a constant state of melancholy trying to follow the path of Christ?
I’m on medication and have been for a while. It is for OCD but often used for depression - Prozac. I’ve been working with a therapist and social skills coach too. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not.
But it is not required to be sin-free to be saved, but it is an ideal. Really, you need only avoid comitting serious sins, by not consenting, which is be more Christlike in your love of the Father, but if you fail, just ask for forgivness and start over. If you have OCD it can lead to over-focus on small things.it seems almost every waking moment is a sin!
Trust me, I know. I overanalyze a lot. it’s a cruse.
Blessings:
The odds of you going through your life without sinning are pretty much slim to none.
While it is possible that you could be doing something sinful all of the time, it is very unlikely.it seems almost every waking moment is a sin!
]It’s not in anybody to “be good enough” on our own. This is where grace comes into play. It was not “in” Mother Teresa to “be good enough,” but rather she was cooperating with God’s grace in her life. We’re never good enough, but God always is, and He wants to help us. Therefore, there is room for hope. However, He wants us to cooperate with Him, so there is something for us to “do,” which is to allow him to work in us and through us, which can seem difficult at times. Because this is a lifelong process for us, there is a chance of false hope–we call it “presumption”–leading us astray, and there is the opposite problem of despairing when hope ought to prevail.
I’d like to go to my pastor but I’d feel very uncomfortable about it. Yet, I’d feel hypocritical for going to another instead.While it is possible that you could be doing something sinful all of the time, it is very unlikely.
It’s more likely you suffer from scrupulosity [been there, done that]. Get thee to a priest / spiritual director.
And stop being so hard on yourself.
Chuck
If you are uncomfortable working with your pastor, contact the parish and see if they can set up with some potential spiritual directors. There may be one you feel more comfortable discussing your issues with.
Also forgot masturbation, seems like nobody here has ever done that even once either, an possibly never even thought of it.
Oh stop…you are seeing the world through a distorted lens of your own making. We are all sinners, and I can personally testify to that! Look at my username for cryin’ out loud! What you may be confusing is that many of us are no longer slaves to a variety of sins that once held us hostage. Lent, Confession, Prayer and reception of the Eucharist are very effective means to accomplishing liberation from sin. God has promised to be right there with us during our temptations to provide the strength we need to stand up to them (cf 1 Cor 10:13)
I urge you to go…comfort is not the goal, peace is the goal. Yes, you will feel uncomfortable but I guarantee that, in hind sight, you will see that the discomfort was a barrier of your own making. Do you really think your sins are something special? Lust, fornication, thievery, greed, adultery, etc etc etc are nothing new in the confessional. Instead of condemnation you will receive Mercy, Forgiveness and “the Peace that the world cannot give”! “Gird your loins” and get in there!
I don’t know what to believe anymore. I mean, I love God and Jesus very deeply. But I do sin, sometimes on purposes and sometimes unintentionally. However, I am sorry for those sins and express deep regret and apology for them. But, the chances are fair, if not better than that, that repitition will occur at some point or another.
Welcome to the club! That is the “I sin and then I repent club”…you are in very good company! Trust me - I know exactly how you feel…depressed and hopeless. Trust in God to accomplish the things he wishes to accomplish in the manner he chooses to do so. Your job is not to understand why, and most certainly not to predict the future (“chances are” blah blah blah), but to repent when you fall and do your best to remain faithful.