Confession & Self forgiveness

[Decanus]

Hi guys,

I won't go into much detail on this, but it's been weighing on my mind. I recently received the sacrament of reconciliation, but i'm having trouble forgiving myself. I know that God has more than likely forgiven me, but i'm not sure how to forgive myself for the things i've done.

What are your thoughts/advice on how to forgive oneself?

Thanks!

 

[JesusLovesOurLady]

Hi guys,

I won't go into much detail on this, but it's been weighing on my mind. I recently received the sacrament of reconciliation, but i'm having trouble forgiving myself. I know that God has more than likely forgiven me, but i'm not sure how to forgive myself for the things i've done.

What are your thoughts/advice on how to forgive oneself?

Thanks!

Do you have a Crucifix you can look out and meditate on?

 

[Decanus]

Do you have a Crucifix you can look out and meditate on?

I do indeed!

 

[Decanus]

Do you have a Crucifix you can look out and meditate on?

*DP*

 

[chevyontheriver]

Hi guys,

I won't go into much detail on this, but it's been weighing on my mind. I recently received the sacrament of reconciliation, but i'm having trouble forgiving myself. I know that God has more than likely forgiven me, but i'm not sure how to forgive myself for the things i've done.

What are your thoughts/advice on how to forgive oneself?

It's hard to do. I am very critical of myself. I beat myself up really well with regularity. But when I have gone to confession I have to ask who am I that I should be more critical and less forgiving than God. I think the natural tendency for us is to beat ourselves up. And I suppose if we don't go to confession frequently we deserve it. Going to confession frequently should give us less material to use against ourselves, and lessen the attacks against ourselves which we are so good at.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Hi guys,

I won't go into much detail on this, but it's been weighing on my mind. I recently received the sacrament of reconciliation, but i'm having trouble forgiving myself. I know that God has more than likely forgiven me, but i'm not sure how to forgive myself for the things i've done.

What are your thoughts/advice on how to forgive oneself?

It's hard to do. I am very critical of myself. I beat myself up really well with regularity. But when I have gone to confession I have to ask who am I that I should be more critical and less forgiving than God. I think the natural tendency for us is to beat ourselves up. And I suppose if we don't go to confession frequently we deserve it. Going to confession frequently should give us less material to use against ourselves, and lessen the attacks against ourselves which we are so good at.

 

[JesusLovesOurLady]

I do indeed!

Try meditating on it and how Christ paid for it all with His Infinite Life. Also, if there is anything you can do on the natural level to make reparation for your sins, try do that, but do it prayerfully for God.

Also offering up simple prayers and sufferings (simple everyday sufferings, nothing over the top, Lent is over after all) for your past sins is also a good idea, but trust that your sins are forgiven.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Hi guys,

I won't go into much detail on this, but it's been weighing on my mind. I recently received the sacrament of reconciliation, but i'm having trouble forgiving myself. I know that God has more than likely forgiven me, but i'm not sure how to forgive myself for the things i've done.

What are your thoughts/advice on how to forgive oneself?

Thanks!

I struggle with this, especially since I most often confess a series of habitual sins that bring me a lot of shame. I just have to remember that the Sacrament is the Sacrament, and God forgives me without reservation when I come to him. So if the God of the universe forgives me, who am I not to forgive myself?

Sometimes, once I've done my penance, I have to mutter to myself under my breath "it's okay" just so I can remember that God is always willing to reconcile me to him.

 

[Robinus]

Hi guys,

I won't go into much detail on this, but it's been weighing on my mind. I recently received the sacrament of reconciliation, but i'm having trouble forgiving myself. I know that God has more than likely forgiven me, but i'm not sure how to forgive myself for the things i've done.

What are your thoughts/advice on how to forgive oneself?

Thanks!

Daily ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truth about yourself .

Gradually He will convince you that you are forgiven and will grant you peace of mind .

 

[SaNcTaMaRiA]

This is a hard thing for many of us I think. As men (yes I am a man even though my name and avatar suggest I might be a woman) we are largely driven by our carnal nature. Even us married men struggle with our more base desires. These sins tend to weight the heaviest on us because they are the ones that are focused on a lot. However, they are no less forgiven in confession then any other sin. Try to remember that God knows how He created you. He knows that you struggle. He knows that you are doing your very best to do better. He knows that he needed to send his Son. Repent, pray, and keep trying. It is the journey we all have to make.

I would also speak with my priest about it if it was really weighing on me. Sit down and just discuss it with him. He will understand.

 

[Decanus]

Thank you guys so much for your replies. I will definitely take them in and follow what has been recommended. I acknowledge that it is a part of my fallen nature to not forgive myself and that Satan is pushing me into this way of thinking.

Pray for me.

 

[SaNcTaMaRiA]

Thank you guys so much for your replies. I will definitely take them in and follow what has been recommended. I acknowledge that it is a part of my fallen nature to not forgive myself and that Satan is pushing me into this way of thinking.

Pray for me.

Get your Rosary out and pray brother. Let us fall at the feet of our mother and beg her to show us to her Son. She will lead us.

 

[JesusLovesOurLady]

Hi guys,

I won't go into much detail on this, but it's been weighing on my mind. I recently received the sacrament of reconciliation, but i'm having trouble forgiving myself. I know that God has more than likely forgiven me, but i'm not sure how to forgive myself for the things i've done.

What are your thoughts/advice on how to forgive oneself?

Thanks!

I'd also suggest that you try out St. Faustina's Diary Divine Mercy in my Soul, that book does brilliant job emphasizing the Faith one should have in Divine Mercy.