habitual sins

[Mystery5]

Dear Karen,

I think you can try and replace bad habits with good ones. For example, if you are watching a bunch of trash on TV, instead you can post on this site, or read a good book, or exersise. I don't think it's possible to think of God 24/7.

Try and cultivate some fulfilling hobbies, learn a new skill, take up a sport, or something else healthy. In other words, try and replace the negative with the positive. And I always tell people, get lots of exersise! It'll improve your mood and it's a good channel for your energy!

 

[RedTulipMom]

plainswolf,
I have been thinking lately that i should start saying the rosary. i know the prayers but i have a hard time rembering the mysteries and contemplating them at the same time as the prayers. Any suggestions on how to do that? Thanks for that quote fromt he Saint..that is really inspiriing!
karen

 

[RedTulipMom]

mystery,
thanks for the suggestions. I need to replace my bad habits with good ones. You are so right. I have an excercise bike and a total gym right behind me and havent used them in months. I have gotten so lax since the pregnancy and the baby. I'm sure i could find some time to exercise atleast while he is napping.
Speaking of tv...sighhhhh...a few years back i had gotten to the point where i barely ever watched tv..the tv was only turned on once every few months..we didnt even have cable. It was a habit i had given up. Now i am back to it..my tv is one half the day every day. I have all kinds of regular programs now that i just "cant miss"..i have 4 tvs and cable on all of them. That is one of the sins i was speaking of that i gave up..then took back....sigh!!! God help me!
karen

 

[RedTulipMom]

Prioritize, Organize, Discipline. That's it.

My priorities are screwed up. I am completely DISorganized. And i am majorly lacking in Self-discipline..thats the problem. So HOW do i do these things is the big question???

karen

 

[RedTulipMom]

Find a chore or charitable work that you don't like doing. Make a commitment to do it each time you fall into that sin. Should help take care of it

ya know..that is a really great idea!! i can see where that could definitely work. As long as i can commit and follow through with doing the chore!!! Pray for me that i can. thanks.
karen

 

[RedTulipMom]

Just keep going to Confession and keep praying for strength. And do all you can do to avoid a situation where you'll be tempted to do that sin.

I havent been to confession in a little over a year..maybe thats my problem. I don't remember the act of contrition or what order i am supposed to say what to the Priest so i think i use it as an excuse not to go. Could someone give me a link to exactly how to make a confession? i spent so many years away from the church i dont remember. But i was working a retreat group and going to confession on my retreats a few times a year (even when i was Protestant). But the Priests there were my friends and it was very laid back and he would just ask me questions and walk me through it all the time. Now i am afraid to go to a regular Priest and have to be all formal about it i guess.

karen

 

[plainswolf]

Hi karen,

I would highly recommend this book: http://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/37/keywords/secrets,rosary/

And also this is a big help: http://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/343/keywords/secrets,rosary/

And to remember that it can be very difficult sometimes to say the Rosary, and as St.Louis points out, it can seem almost impposible to say even one Hail Mary without the human mind involuntarily wandering... this is natural. But that we honestly and sincerely try to pray it, and offer up our involuntary distractions as a penance. When we feel coldness or aridity to prayer, yet still have the pure intention to say them with love and devoutly and do indeed say them, this is when prayer has the most merit!!!

Also, read the following Scripture to better understand the mysteries of the Rosarym they helped me learn more, and meditate alot better upon them:
1. The angel Gabriel greets Mary (Luke 1:28)
2. Elizabeth greets Mary (Luke 1:42)
3. Jesus is born (Luke 2:7)
4. Jesus is presented to God (Luke 2:22)
5. Jesus at 12 years old (Luke 2:46)
6. The baptism of Jesus (Mat 3:16)
7. The miracle of water into wine (John 2:9)
8. The proclaimation of the kingdom (Mat 4:17)
9. The transfiguration (Mat 17:2)
10. The last supper (Mat 26:26)
11. Jesus in Gethsemane (Mat 26:36)
12. Jesus is flogged (Mat 27:26)
13. The crown of thorns (Mat 27:29)
14. Jesus carries the cross (Luke 23:26)
15. Jesus is crucified (Luke 23:33)
16. The resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:2)
17. Jesus is taken up to heaven (Luke 24:51)
18. The birth of the Church on Pentecost (Acts 2:1)
19. The Assumption of Mary into heaven
20. Mary crowned as the Queen of Heaven

Sister Lucy of Fatima affirms to us that there is NO problem no matter how great, be it spiritual or temporal, that cannot be solved by the recitation of the Rosary. But I will tell you this. Oh how Satan will employ every device against you to keep you from saying it faithfully every day! He will prey upon your weaknesses and suggest things so natural to you to disuade you from this practice.

Don't EVER worry about not saying it good enough, nor of knowing it well enough, nor any other excuse suggested to you naturally, or preternaturally. What matters the most is the honesty and purity of your intention. This is what God values most of all in prayer.
If any have already begun it, for the same reasons never give it up. The Rosary has such power in these times! More so than it ever has. Sometimes it feels so wonderful and you get lost in the mysteries in such deep contemplations of love. Other times it is a penance just to simply finnish it as well as you can. I still have a ways to go in my battle with habitual sins, but my greatest ones have been overcome by the Rosary which I have now been saying every evening for months now.

And if you ever can, go and pray in front of the tabernacle or when the Sacred Host is exposed. This is a POWERFUL spiritual weapon.

J.M.J.
plainswolf

 

[plainswolf]

My priorities are screwed up. I am completely DISorganized. And i am majorly lacking in Self-discipline..thats the problem. So HOW do i do these things is the big question???

karen

You have just described me perfectly..

J.M.J.
plainswolf

 

[Truth and Reconciliation]

I was reading your experiences in church as a Protestant. It sounds like you were just going through the motions of church, meaning that without those things to do (greeting ministry, ushering, etc.) you'd slip away. I was the same way too.

So I really think you need to structure and build your relationship with God. He is a very personal God and doesn't just want to be adored as an icon or platonically received as a weekly Eucharist. He wants your heart above all! All those things come secondary (well, maybe not the Eucharist). The Fruits of the Spirit are grown as your relationship with Him bear fruit.

 

[RedTulipMom]

Dear Karen,
The key to overcoming addictions is to replace them with something else. If you focus on them too much, as my priest once said in the confessional, it's like throwing another log on the fire.

Well i am up in FLAMES then...lol. Thats such a good point though that i shouldnt focus so much ON the sins....thats what i am doing!!! arghhh.

Hey..i am starting to feel better just talking about this with all of you!! I feel like someone is praying for me and something is being lifted!

karen

 

[RedTulipMom]

Good morning!

I just wanted to thank everyone who replied to this thread. You have all helped me a great deal. i truly believe God led me here last night while i was in great need of some comfort and some answers. I appreciate all who prayed for me and encouraged me and gave me godly wisdom. It really made a huge difference. God has convicted me of some things and he did it through all of you! God bless!
karen