answers

[thisistheonlynamenottaken]

So as my day draws nearer people are telling me that this is the most important time to resist the devil because he will want me now more than ever. At first i thought that this was just a load of bull, but I am slowly starting to realize that it is completly true. i found a lot lot of peopl questioning my faith latly. For example my mother. She asked me at dinner last night why i couldn't just believe in God. When i told her that i did believe in God she said she didn't understand why i had to be babtized and how i could believe all of the "stories" that the church teaches. i told her that the stories came from the bible. she just kept questioning me and i couldn't answer a lot of them. I get under pressure when people start to ask me things. i know what i believe but i don't know how to explain it to make othe people know what i believe. I told her she didn't understand because she had never been taught and she told me that she doesn't want to be taught, so i left it at that but i have a feeling that this is not the ned of it. help?

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Yes, it is true. I remember that on my way to the Church to be confirmed, I had a guy in traffic get mad at me over nothing and want to fight. I have a problem with anger, less so now, but it was tempting to get caught up in the conflict. My angel must have told me that this was just a demon's influence trying to stop my confirmation, because I realized it, and just waved, and drove away.

 

[ej]

Yes, it is true. I remember that on my way to the Church to be confirmed, I had a guy in traffic get mad at me over nothing and want to fight. I have a problem with anger, less so now, but it was tempting to get caught up in the conflict. My angel must have told me that this was just a demon's influence trying to stop my confirmation, because I realized it, and just waved, and drove away.

A brilliant example of how reminders help us to keep focussed on God

 

[thereselittleflower]

I have been feeling this struggle too . . and began to wonder if it was not because we ar about to enter the final leg of our journey home . . I began even to doubt that I should do something I felt God calling me to do when the time came, many months ago . . to the point of feeling anger about it. . . i was so perplexed at this . .. but reading your post, it crystalized for me the real nature of this battle and where the "anger" was coming from . .

Now, I have to proceed in faith that indeed this is what I am to do (something speicific) during this last part of my journey home . . I almost let satan rob me of this very precious thing right now, though it could have been done later . .

In fact, I thought the right time to do this would be this summer, but a week or so ago, I began to feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do this now, and I thought "what? It isn't time yet .. " then I discovered a couple days ago, that it is indeed time, and I found myself not wanting to do it . . this "pushing away" from it was not from myself, it was from the enemy of our souls . . thank you for your help!





Peace in Him!

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Yep therese...it can be very subtle how the evil one wants to influence us...pray, fast, and study the Word until you get confirmed!!

 

[PeterPaul]

Try my mother. She is into New Age. She was baptized in Spain, did her confirmation, went to a school run by nuns, but unfortunately, like most youth in Spain were disenchanted with the support the Church in Spain gave to the fascists. Now there is nothing I can say to bring her back.

Like all New agers, she believes Christ was a "spirit of light" with no more importance than us, as we are all god. Gotta love it. I always love to leave her with no argument, but have resolved that God needs to make His move when He is ready. I can't make her convert.

Right now, I tell her I don't need to explain why because it isn't by her that I am jusitified but by God.

 

[KC Catholic]

Keep faithful through prayer and reflection and know that Christ, too was tempted in the desert by the Devil. The harder you work to get closer to Christ the bigger target you become in the battle between Good and evil.

We are all praying for you!

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Reading this, I just hit my knees to praise God for my family- my entire nuclear family(and my grandparents- those deceased and those living) are on fire for the Lord and His Church, most of my husband's family are not as fervent, but at least are members of the Church who attend Mass- what an awesome gift!!

I am obviously not just coming into the Church- but I am racked with doubt nearly everyday- I'll be whistling a tune playing ball with my children, when a voice says "There is no God" "This doesn't make any sense." "This Jesus, is just an idea, not a reality"-- I am bombarded with that so very frequently......

 

[thereselittleflower]

Reading this, I just hit my knees to praise God for my family- my entire nuclear family(and my grandparents- those deceased and those living) are on fire for the Lord and His Church, most of my husband's family are not as fervent, but at least are members of the Church who attend Mass- what an awesome gift!!

I am obviously not just coming into the Church- but I am racked with doubt nearly everyday- I'll be whistling a tune playing ball with my children, when a voice says "There is no God" "This doesn't make any sense." "This Jesus, is just an idea, not a reality"-- I am bombarded with that so very frequently......

And that is the enemy . . many saints were assailed with the same doubts often . . . they are the firey darts of the wicked one to which we raise the shield of faith ..


You are in good company!


Peace in Him!

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Thank you for your encouragement, would you take a few moments to send a prayer my way!!

 

[thereselittleflower]

Thank you for your encouragement, would you take a few moments to send a prayer my way!!

Done!

Peace in Hhim!

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Done!

 

[Michelina]

....it was tempting to get caught up in the conflict. My angel must have told me that this was just a demon's influence trying to stop my confirmation, because I realized it, and just waved, and drove away.

I have witnessed it many times. The devils do try to stop us when they see us approaching a source of grace. And if they can't stop us, they try to disturb our souls and thus our disposition to receive Grace.

I believe that the devils attack priests most of all.

 

[thisistheonlynamenottaken]

yes. i have had many of these "voices" telling me that there is no god and if there is than i am an idiot for following, this happens a lot at church, and i wish that i could tell you i just shrug it away and pray and i know things are ok but to tell you the truth, the only way i have to calm my doubts is to look at my boyfriend and watch him pray. he gives me so much hope and i know in my heart that there is a god becaus he sent this wonderfull man to me. I do think that things will continue to be dificult with my family but I also know that i have a completly differant familt at church that is rooting for me. God bless

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I always try to say the Apostle's Creed slowly when I am assailed by doubts or if that is too dificult at that moment- I try to picture in my mind a priest elevating the Host and me saying "My Lord and my God I believe, please help my unbelief".

I agree with you Michelina- I think priests are attacked most severly of all. Have you ever read the Trochu bio of St. John Vianney??

 

[Amandine]

i found a lot lot of peopl questioning my faith latly.

Mine too! Well..at the moment it's just my agnostic boyfriend, but that's more than enough to irritate me. He tells me all those things like "the church can't say it's never made a mistake b/c look at what happened with gallileo" and stuff. I know he has no real backings to where he got his info and it isn't really correct/important/logical but I'm usually so flabbergasted I don't know where to start. I hope his incredulity won't last long, b/c I'm really going to try to join the church and I want him to support me.
But it's hard, and I feel so horrible for the sins I've commited lately b/c I have a greater grasp on the graveness of them since I've researched the apostolic Chruch. However, it just seems like I've commited more...I'm definitely qualified for a few mortal sins at the moment...
And considering I can't even receive the eucharist, it's quite scary...I get afraid all the time..
Lord Jesus Christ, Have mercy on me, a sinner
-Catherine

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Catherine,

Please, please read the book I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean C. J. d'Elbee.

You can find it at Amazon, I know- and probably B&N.com.

Do not fear, do not be afraid-- fear is not of the Lord! His mercy is so much greater than any of your sins could ever be! Just dump them in the ocean of His mercy and be washed clean! Take your sins to Him, be truly sorry, ask for forgiveness, and know that you are forgiven! It doesn't matter if you feel forgiven- you are forgiven! If you are baptised you may go to confession and be free of your sin-- if you are not yet baptised all will be wiped away at your baptism-- Have confidence if the goodness of Jesus!

In Him
Shannon

 

[AsburyJuke]

Reading this, I just hit my knees to praise God for my family- my entire nuclear family(and my grandparents- those deceased and those living) are on fire for the Lord and His Church, most of my husband's family are not as fervent, but at least are members of the Church who attend Mass- what an awesome gift!!

I am obviously not just coming into the Church- but I am racked with doubt nearly everyday- I'll be whistling a tune playing ball with my children, when a voice says "There is no God" "This doesn't make any sense." "This Jesus, is just an idea, not a reality"-- I am bombarded with that so very frequently......

I get those kind of thoughts too.. I hate it, amazing even when I have SEEN evidence of God something still tries to tell me it doesn't make sense.