Wish oneself never existed, impunging the truth

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

There is this duality in me, I feel inferior in many ways, yet here I am somehow thinking God could take a cue or two from me. Anger puffs me up with pride, it’s pretty pathetic. Talk about a presumptuous fool. I think it’s all part of the adhd syndrome, emotional immaturity, anger management problems, I get into rages at times, less so nowadays, thank God. I’m not the easiest vessel to steer, and if I dwell on that thought, I’ll begin to feel sorry for myself. I feel stuck by all my limitations. And I talk, and I talk, and talk some more…Did I get what you were hinting at at least? I can be thick at times. BTW, that’s the loveliest, most charming fraternal correction I have ever seen.

LOL maybe because I have the same flaw as you, Robertanthony

Have you read Story of a Soul (l’Histoire d’une Ame): The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux? It seems to me the perfect antidote for those who have this conflict inside of wanting to believe in oneself but both cannot do it in the good way and cannot help but do it the wrong way, like myself. It can actually be found online free of charge in the CCEL website here. St. Therese’s answer to this dilemma: “the Little Way”, which is, to sum, see yourself as small and frail and put your whole confidence in God.

Rev. Jean C. J. d’Elbeé calls this kind of confidence, so different from self-confidence, as humble confidence. Indeed, this quote from his book on a retreat based in St. Therese of Lisieux’s “Little Way” sums it up:

I am not telling you, “You believe too much in your own wretchedness.” We are much more wretched than we ever realize. But I am telling you, “You do not believe enough in merciful love.”

We must have confidence, not in spite of our miseries, but because of them, since it is misery which attracts mercy.

Oh, this word, mercy — misericordia — “miseris cor dare,” [in Latin] a heart which gives itself to the miserable, a Heart which nourishes itself on miseries by consuming them. Meditate on this word.

source

Just read this part of St Therese’s autobiography and tell me what you think

 

[Michael19682]

I think this is a mystery, which we cannot completely understand. I know I don’t understand why God creates people He knows will choose hell. But we have to trust God. Everything He does, He does out of love, even if it doesn’t seem that way at all. Ask God to help you trust Him. Ask the saints, especially the Blessed Mother, to pray for you.

Look at Galatians chapter 2

19 For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ 20 yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

One of the commentators of this thread noted that mental emotional problems are a part of the suicidal/non existence mindset. In one way, Christ is about persecution; oppression; and the sufferings of a person. The spirit of evil, which runs high in the world, will induce people to believe that they are justly persecuted, justly oppressed, and deserve suffering for its own sake. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Such a suffering person must have faith that Christ lives in him as the holy spirit of God and that this is a supreme mystery. For many this involves suffering as a necessary part of growth. Sometimes, this suffering is a result of how we encounter people themselves under the influence of the evil spirit. The spirit of Christ loved his enemies and so as best we can, we must do the same.

 

[LoveGod102]

There is this duality in me, I feel inferior in many ways, yet here I am somehow thinking God could take a cue or two from me. Anger puffs me up with pride, it’s pretty pathetic. Talk about a presumptuous fool. I think it’s all part of the adhd syndrome, emotional immaturity, anger management problems, I get into rages at times, less so nowadays, thank God. I’m not the easiest vessel to steer, and if I dwell on that thought, I’ll begin to feel sorry for myself. I feel stuck by all my limitations. And I talk, and I talk, and talk some more…Did I get what you were hinting at at least? I can be thick at times. BTW, that’s the loveliest, most charming fraternal correction I have ever seen.

I understand, as I’ve done the same thing. When you feel inferior, it makes you want to puff yourself up. It’s a trick of Satan, to get us to feel like and/or think we’re less than we are. For me, what helps is reminding myself that God loves me as I am, no matter what. It makes me realize that I don’t NEED to puff myself up with hot air, because I have dignity and value, because God loves me.
I suggest that you try doing this. Remind yourself how much God loves you. And pray for humility. I kept asking for this for so long, and slowly God taught me to be humble. He’ll do the same for you, if you ask Him to to, and you keep yourself open to Him. This isn’t suddenly going to make the problem disappear, but it will help you.
What’s very good, is that you realize that you have this problem. Once you realize you have this problem, if you open yourself to God, He’ll heal you. It’s awfully hard for Satan to trick us once we know what’s going on. What’s hard is breaking the habits we’ve formed because of this. It took me years of being a disrespectful rebellious teenager who caused so much harm to her family, to realize that I felt so inferior, and that because of that I kept puffing myself up with pride, and as a result, focusing so much on the faults I thought other people had, rather than bettering myself. Thank God, that’s not who I am anymore.

 

[LoveGod102]

Look at Galatians chapter 2

19 For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ 20 yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

One of the commentators of this thread noted that mental emotional problems are a part of the suicidal/non existence mindset. In one way, Christ is about persecution; oppression; and the sufferings of a person. The spirit of evil, which runs high in the world, will induce people to believe that they are justly persecuted, justly oppressed, and deserve suffering for its own sake. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Such a suffering person must have faith that Christ lives in him as the holy spirit of God and that this is a supreme mystery. For many this involves suffering as a necessary part of growth. Sometimes, this suffering is a result of how we encounter people themselves under the influence of the evil spirit. The spirit of Christ loved his enemies and so as best we can, we must do the same.

I think of it this way: God doesn’t want us to suffer; He wants us to accept suffering when it comes to us, and to offer our sufferings to Him.
For what father wants to see his children suffer? But sometimes fathers let their children suffer, because its what’s best for them, because that suffering will lead them closer to Jesus if they let it, and because that suffering can help other people.
God isn’t a helicopter parent who is going to protect us from every suffering that comes our way. If He did that, then how would we grow spiritually?
What might help those who think that all their suffering is deserved, is to think of our Blessed Mother. For she suffered immensely, yet she never sinned. Therefore, her sufferings weren’t deserved. They weren’t there as punishment, but rather, for the good of us all. The book of Job has a similar message. For, while Job was a sinner, he was a upright and holy man. While it is somewhat unclear why God allowed Satan to bring Job such suffering, it is clear that it was not because of Job’s sins, not because he deserved it.

 

[Robertanthony]

+JMJ+

For someone who does not believe in himself, you believe in yourself too much, Robertanthony

+JMJ+

LOL maybe because I have the same flaw as you, Robertanthony

Have you read Story of a Soul (l’Histoire d’une Ame): The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux? It seems to me the perfect antidote for those who have this conflict inside of wanting to believe in oneself but both cannot do it in the good way and cannot help but do it the wrong way, like myself. It can actually be found online free of charge in the CCEL website here. St. Therese’s answer to this dilemma: “the Little Way”, which is, to sum, see yourself as small and frail and put your whole confidence in God.

Rev. Jean C. J. d’Elbeé calls this kind of confidence, so different from self-confidence, as humble confidence. Indeed, this quote from his book on a retreat based in St. Therese of Lisieux’s “Little Way” sums it up:

I am not telling you, “You believe too much in your own wretchedness.” We are much more wretched than we ever realize. But I am telling you, “You do not believe enough in merciful love.”

We must have confidence, not in spite of our miseries, but because of them, since it is misery which attracts mercy.

Oh, this word, mercy — misericordia — “miseris cor dare,” [in Latin] a heart which gives itself to the miserable, a Heart which nourishes itself on miseries by consuming them. Meditate on this word.

source

Just read this part of St Therese’s autobiography and tell me what you think

I understand, as I’ve done the same thing. When you feel inferior, it makes you want to puff yourself up. It’s a trick of Satan, to get us to feel like and/or think we’re less than we are. For me, what helps is reminding myself that God loves me as I am, no matter what. It makes me realize that I don’t NEED to puff myself up with hot air, because I have dignity and value, because God loves me.
I suggest that you try doing this. Remind yourself how much God loves you. And pray for humility. I kept asking for this for so long, and slowly God taught me to be humble. He’ll do the same for you, if you ask Him to to, and you keep yourself open to Him. This isn’t suddenly going to make the problem disappear, but it will help you.
What’s very good, is that you realize that you have this problem. Once you realize you have this problem, if you open yourself to God, He’ll heal you. It’s awfully hard for Satan to trick us once we know what’s going on. What’s hard is breaking the habits we’ve formed because of this. It took me years of being a disrespectful rebellious teenager who caused so much harm to her family, to realize that I felt so inferior, and that because of that I kept puffing myself up with pride, and as a result, focusing so much on the faults I thought other people had, rather than bettering myself. Thank God, that’s not who I am anymore.

Thank you both, it’s a relief to find out others share your struggles. I’ll have a look at St. Therese.

 

[LoveGod102]

+JMJ+

St. Therese’s answer to this dilemma: “the Little Way”, which is, to sum, see yourself as small and frail and put your whole confidence in God.

Oh, this word, mercy — misericordia — “miseris cor dare,” [in Latin] a heart which gives itself to the miserable, a Heart which nourishes itself on miseries by consuming them. Meditate on this word.

source[/INDENT]

This is enlightening. It makes me see that I don’t have to hide behind a mask for fear of falling apart, but rather, I should accept how weak and small I am, and trust in Jesus, that he will protect me, and that HE makes me strong. On my own, I’m weak, I am nothing. But with Jesus, I am strong and faithful and loving. This makes me think of the bible verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

[southeast_wisco]

youtube.com/watch?v=C21G2OkHEYo

related to God and Love, Love with a capital L

 

[LoveGod102]

Have you ever thought how a temporary place of punishment, a personal hell with a beginning and an end followed by the soul ceasing to exist would be a solution that would satisfy everyone? I’d still wonder with some amount of torment why God willed a life of anxiety, depression, lack, adhd, excessive shyness, very limited/non existent learning capacity, why his “best” was that I be born in a dysfunctional family with an angry, domineering, bitter, emotionally frozen, alcoholic yet very pious Catholic as a father, but God not loving me would only be a tough thought to bear for a couple of decades, then I’d suffer for a couple of decades (in a temporary hell) for being an ungrateful sinner, then I’m off to sleep. So long depression, so long torturing my stupid mind, so long wondering why it was decreed from times immemoriam that I would lose and suffer, so long hearing about God’s love when most things in my life contradict that, so long being a loser, so long being me, so long hoping and going from day to hopeless day realizing hope is not warranted. I think tragedy keeps things exciting for God. I’m all for torture to get critical information from a terrorist or a hardened criminal, that’s a means to an end, hell is just vindication and disproportionate retribution. It’s strange to think of all those babies who have died thru the ages and who, if given the “chance”, would have grown up to be and die as enemies of God. Hitler could be in Heaven if God had wanted to. Countless babies would be in hell if God had wanted to. When you dig deeper is when you realize what may look like love is anything but in some cases. 10 starving kids, all I have as food are peanuts, it’s loving of me to feed these kids with peanuts. Unless I know for a fact 2 will die from anaphylactic shock. Some are not cut out for life, some can’t accept who God is or what God says through no fault of theri own. Nobody would want to marry a spouse they have nothing on common with, they have incompatible personalities, you find the sound of their voice annoying, you have no physcial attarctyion whatsoever, then somebody comes along and says that this person loves you very much and that you will suffer unspeakable horror and tragedy if you don’t agree to get married. That’s a strange sytem to be forced into. So much of it doesn’t resist a critical scrutiny.

“Here’s who he is God, what he requires of you, what he promises you if you submit, if you do submit you will die, be resurrected and live happily ever after with God. Otherwise death will be the end of you.”. Depending on a myriad of factors, this life can be crushing if you’re not equipped to face it, but God is more crushing. apart from the 7 or so hours of sleep I get daily where I stop being aware and conscious, I’m looking at an eternity of not being able to forget who I am, that I am, and that God is as well. Let’s say when I was a young boy, I had other plans. I made God laugh with those plans. Y’all know the saying.

God did not will that you have all these terrible things in your life. He ALLOWED them. Why? I don’t know exactly why, but I do know that God will bring greater good from all your suffering, if He hasn’t already. You may or may not see this good, but it is there, or will be. or has been.
Have you even hear of the concept of redemptive suffering? They were talking about it on EWTN. It’s basically, when you accept suffering, and offer it to God for Him to use for a greater good, rather than being angry and resentful of God that He allowed such suffering into your life. You will be much happier if you do this. It doesn’t mean that you can’t seek relief of suffering, but that when the suffering comes, you offer it to God either way, and that when there is nothing you can do to relieve your suffering, you accept this, and do your best to trust God. Much easier said than done, I admit. But so very worth it. Think of how much Christ suffered for us. He took all our sins upon Himself, which means that He literally experienced hell. Hell is being away from God. Jesus was away from the Father, so that we don’t have to be. Don’t ask me how, because it’s a divine mystery, I don’t know how. I just trust and believe.

 

[LoveGod102]

one or more posters mentioned something almost along the lines of predestination and people being created and then ending up in hell. All i can say is that the very, very, very first layer of hell may not be extremely, extremely, extremely terrible. It seems that theologians used to theorize about limbo or a place of natural happiness for unbaptized babies or the invincibly ignorant. That theory is not strongly active anymore. The Catholic Catechism does mention baptism of desire or salvation granted by ways known to God alone. Heaven is supernatural happiness, Christian grace, Christian life in the heart and soul. So my point is that the very, very, very top layer of hell may be a lot better than other parts of hell.

How much difference is there between the absolute lowest level in Heaven and the absolute first layer in Hell? in one way the difference is the difference between Jesus and no Jesus. In another way it may be difficult for us humans to understand.

God does not predestine anyone to got to hell. It is God’s wish that every single person choose heaven. But He loves us enough to give us a choice. No one goes to hell unless they choose hell.
Why would anyone choose hell? If someone has completely rejected God’s love and grace by sinning mortally, and chooses not to repent and accept His Love and Grace again, then when he/she sees God after death, he/she won’t WANT to be with God. To be with God, when they have rejected Him completely would be worse torture for that person, than to be away from Him (hell) would be.
Think about it: If you hate someone, than are you going to want to spend eternity with that person? Rejecting God’s Love and Grace completely, is the same thing as hating Him. God’s is still willing to forgive us even when we do sin mortally. That is who God is. But He won’t force forgiveness on us. We have to accept it, by repenting.
It’s like if you had a fight with your friend, because you really hurt him. That friend says “I forgive you”. but you say “I’m not sorry, (for whatever reason), and I don’t want your forgiveness.” Blaming God for the people who go to hell is exactly like blaming that forgiving friend for the place that unrepentant friend is in.

ANY level of hell is complete separation from Jesus, and yes, it is very terrible. But again, no one is in hell at all, unless they choose to be.
As for the unbaptized, who were unbaptized by no fault of their own, we don’t what happens to them, but we do know that God does not send them to hell. Yes, there are theories about limbo, which could be true, but ultimately, we don’t what happens, to them,and we have to trust them to God’s infinite mercy.