Thinking On Either Taking A Break From CAF or Leaving All Together.

Gigglin4God · #1 Apr 5, '08, 8:01 pm

First of all I would like to thank you all for praying for me in my struggle. All of this is just getting to be too much for me and I feel like I am having to come on line here to pray for others so much that it is almost causing me to go nuts. Just too much at a time gets me feeling overwhelmed and extremely anxious.
Thank you all for your prayers, It is just hard right now because I am at a struggle in my life where I feel it is OK to do one thing and when I ask about it from the Catholic point of view, I get made to feel bad for wanting to do things like read a book by non Catholic authors that really have helped my relationship get better and more intimate with God.
I am tired of the struggle inside. Catholicism vs Protestantism. Why does it have to be this way when we are serving the same God? It just gets me how alot of people in life act like they know God and what God wants and how God wants it to be done and really they dont know because they are not God. I am beginning to be more discouraged even when a Nun at church told me that it is ok to read the books that I have and I get on here and some of the people get upset because I just want to know God on a more intimate level in which these books help me to do so.
I am thinking of either leaving the CAF forums for good or just taking a break from it all until I can get the inner peace which is what I need. I dont need to be torn in two any more. And my husband doesnt need to come home from work finding me crying in bed after being in there all day without eating.
I even had someone tell me on here that the Pope told me that I cant watch my shows on TV like CSI, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, and Without a trace. Even the same person told me I couldnt watch wrestling for this very reason. God wants us to have a good life and to be happy and if by doing these things it gets my mind off of my problems just for a short while. I am going to do it. My God understands.
I am sorry if I have hurt anyone on here but I just have to do what is best for me and that is pulling myself away from here so that my depression and anxiety doesnt get as bad as what it has. Thank you for everything. God Bless you all and Mary Keep you. Love always, bye for now Gigglin4God.

Pax · #2 Apr 5, '08, 8:25 pm

I will pray for you in your struggle. I hope that you will relax and find peace and tranquility.

Los Angeles · #3 Apr 5, '08, 8:34 pm

Dear Gigglin 4 God:

I cannot give you specific advice about what you are talking about, because I am not a priest, but just a layman, and the rules for the prayer forum do not allow it, (if I am reading them correctly)

For your prayer request:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

God Bless You

BarbaraTherese · #4 Apr 6, '08, 2:22 am

May The Lord bring you that inner Peace that you are a seeking and please forgive us if we have brought any pain to you in any way ..............You are very right in doing whatever you must to decrease depression and anxiety and I will be praying that this relief will be soon.................Keeping you in daily prayer and if you do leave, you will be very missed and I will keep my eye out in the hope to see your return...............Barb

Diana Lynn · #5 Apr 6, '08, 3:03 am

Georgia,

I am so sorry for the difficulties you have encountered. May God bring peace and forgiveness into your heart. I would like to take this opportunity to mention the saint of a woman in my picture below, beloved to us all, Mother Teresa. If you find a moment, read a bit about her beautiful life. She was a Catholic, but for love of Christ, truly loved all, especially the poor and the suffering. She did not draw a line between any of God's children, muslim, christian, atheist even. She gave her heart 100% to each and every one of them, and would say "you pray to your God, I'll pray to mine." It is this kind of love and devotion to all, that I seek to attain, and I pray that you, like God, find forgiveness for all who cause even one of his children sorrow. Your prayers on this forum are heartfelt and beautiful, and have given hope to many. Thank you, and God bless you! I look forward to seeing more in the near future. You do what you must, my friend, to attain peace and healing. My personal healing process has, in the past included retreating to silent and personal prayer, and spending time in nature, where God's miracles surround me, renewing my passion. I pray that you too will find your passion for life once more. I pray for your restored health also Georgia.
God bless you! You may be far from me in body, but you remain close in my heart. Take care of yourself, and please don't hesitate to PM some of us here, let us know how you're doing. God be with you!

agangbern · #6 Apr 6, '08, 3:47 am

As you said, "God understands,"
Continue with your prayers that God may help you understand His will for you.
Meanwhile, remain with Him. Continue receiving Him in the Holy Mass.

Traditional Ang · #7 Apr 6, '08, 4:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigglin4God

First of all I would like to thank you all for praying for me in my struggle. All of this is just getting to be too much for me and I feel like I am having to come on line here to pray for others so much that it is almost causing me to go nuts. Just too much at a time gets me feeling overwhelmed and extremely anxious.
Thank you all for your prayers, It is just hard right now because I am at a struggle in my life where I feel it is OK to do one thing and when I ask about it from the Catholic point of view, I get made to feel bad for wanting to do things like read a book by non Catholic authors that really have helped my relationship get better and more intimate with God.
I am tired of the struggle inside. Catholicism vs Protestantism. Why does it have to be this way when we are serving the same God? It just gets me how alot of people in life act like they know God and what God wants and how God wants it to be done and really they dont know because they are not God. I am beginning to be more discouraged even when a Nun at church told me that it is ok to read the books that I have and I get on here and some of the people get upset because I just want to know God on a more intimate level in which these books help me to do so.
I am thinking of either leaving the CAF forums for good or just taking a break from it all until I can get the inner peace which is what I need. I dont need to be torn in two any more. And my husband doesnt need to come home from work finding me crying in bed after being in there all day without eating.
I even had someone tell me on here that the Pope told me that I cant watch my shows on TV like CSI, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, and Without a trace. Even the same person told me I couldnt watch wrestling for this very reason. God wants us to have a good life and to be happy and if by doing these things it gets my mind off of my problems just for a short while. I am going to do it. My God understands.
I am sorry if I have hurt anyone on here but I just have to do what is best for me and that is pulling myself away from here so that my depression and anxiety doesnt get as bad as what it has. Thank you for everything. God Bless you all and Mary Keep you. Love always, bye for now Gigglin4God.

Giglin4God:

Please don't leave - Although I've found some terrible advice and spiritual counsel here, I've also found some real wisdom and Godly, or "Ghostly", counsel. I've also left the Church before, and it's a trrible idea...

One - Re. the TV shows, although I tend to watch EWTN, FOX and the History Channel, I've never heard of the Pope saying that we shouldn't watch any of the shows you listed. I know there are some TV shows that aren't edifying and don't have socially redeeming value, but (except for wrestling, taste issue) the shows you listed aren't like that. I don't see any harm to them as long as they don't interfere in your spiritual life and your worship of God.

Two - I use Non-Catholic authors, too. C.S. Lewis is one of my favorites, and he's used by many conservative Catholics. I also use a few Eastern Orthodox writers because of their deep spirituality and their love of the Eucharist and the Blessed and ever-Virgin Mother of God, the Theotokos. You just have to insure that these authors don't lead you into error or lead you away from the one true Church, which is the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in union with Peter who was given the guarantee of the triumph over hell and death by our Lord Himself.

Three - Many of those who gave you a hard time time about reading these authors and entertaining their ideas were probably afraid that they had or could lead you into error or away from the One True Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself. The best insurance against this is to read Catholic authors such as Bishop Fulton Sheen, Pope Benedict XVI and Scott Hahn, and to make sure you thoroughly understand the Teachings of the Catholic Church.

Four - Might I suggest posting one specific prayer request for yourself per week, going to daily mass two or three times/week (If you aren't doing so already) and spending some time 2-3 days/week in front of our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament telling Him how overwhelmed you feel?

Please understand I've left the Church before and was gone for more than 20 years, and that it took a miracle and several tricks from God's bag for Him to get me back.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

OutinChgoburbs · #8 Apr 6, '08, 4:34 am

Praying for you Gigglin. And I never heard the pope say anything bad about CSI or Cold Case, two of my most favorite shows, right after Numb3ers!!!!!

onwillowbay · #9 Apr 6, '08, 5:08 am

Dear God, Georgia is one of Your children and she is struggling. She has helped so many with her love and compassion and even humor. She is a beautiful person and so worth of Your love. Please guide her to lessen her anxiety and lessen her personal situations. We all love her here at our Catholic Forum and ask you to Help Her and bring her peace to her gentle spirit. Amen, Amen

**244Rocket** · #10 Apr 6, '08, 9:09 am

Georgia, I wish peace of mind for you. I watch anything on TV that I want; when your faith is strong some TV program isn't going to take it away from you.

I hope you come back as I've respected your posts on CAF.

God be with you and comfort you.

Layp3rs0n · #11 Apr 6, '08, 9:12 am

May God bring you discernment in this hour. Praying for you.

jnnywren · #12 Apr 6, '08, 9:14 am

Will pray for you god bless

Galilea · #13 Apr 6, '08, 10:56 am

This morning I opened the bible and read exactly were it opened, it read...Ecclesiastes 33:21 "While you live and breathe do not allow anyone to have domain over you"

You do whatever you know is best for your situation right now

. God is the Boss of you, your first apostolate starts at home, being in wellness with yourself and hubby. But we'll miss you and your generous prayers. When you are all better, I'm sure this forum will be here ready for all the good blessings you have to share.

God bless you and hold you close to his sacred heart...

Conservative · #14 Apr 6, '08, 11:00 am

Dear Gigglin -
Do what you feel is best for you - take a break if need be. But hopefully, don't leave completely.

DO know you have many friends here.

May God and Our Lady bless and comfort you.

stove · #15 Apr 6, '08, 11:31 am

J†M†J

Praying for your intentions:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

God Bless
In Jesus through Mary
Steve