IHOBB2002 Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 Hello! I am struggling with scrupulosity in regards to chastity…and wondered if anyone had guidance/insight. The particular situation I am struggling with is as follows: this morning, my boyfriend and I went running, and afterwards I took off my shirt (modest sports bra on underneath) because it was very humid outside. Before we I left I asked to hug him (and if it was alright even though I didn’t have a shirt on). Now just to clarify, we strive to be very intentional when it comes to modesty and chastity. Looking back now I realize I should’ve just put a shirt on before hugging, but I didn’t and am trying to sort out the particular situation. anyways, I hugged him and was first motivated to hug him just for closeness and as a sign of affection. But then I became aware of his hand on my back and my attention shifted to “oh no! I don’t want to be a source of temptation for either of us” so I pulled away from the hug. We talked for a brief moment and then I hugged him once more before I left. I’m worried that my intent was bad and maybe changed during the second hug. I do not know for sure though. I know in the beginning I hugged him to just feel close to him, but is it too scrupulous to try to figure out what my motives were in the midst of a second hug? I talked to a trusted Dominican sister (my unofficial spiritual advisor) yesterday and she told me to stop over analyzing situations, and even when in great fear of having committed mortal sin to receive the Eucharist, because my own ability to self-judge and determine the gravity of my sins is twisted at the moment. I’m afraid though that my motive was to arouse myself, especially because I don’t remember my thoughts during the entire situation. Is it wrong to assume that my motive was pure throughout the entirety of the hug? And the thought that crossed my mind about his hand was just a temptation? In situations like this recently, by anxiety has become so severe that while hugging or kissing him goodnight or holding hands, I have to focus on not becoming aroused (even when the situation is highly unlikely to cause arousal) instead of focusing on showing him affection. This leads me to think that since my constant goal is to avoid sin, my thought process did not go through a complete 180 and become focused on arousal. But I’m still very uncertain because I THINK I remember the thought crossing my mind that “hey this is arousing and I’m alright with it. But no that’s just what my mind has been doing lately. I’m okay”. I’m not sure if this thought actually crossed my mind, and I wasn’t aroused during the hug period. But does this thought put me in a state of mortal sin? even typing this I feel quite ridiculous. But I’m scared of offending God—any help is welcome. IH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthfinder Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 17 minutes ago, IHOBB2002 said: I talked to a trusted Dominican sister (my unofficial spiritual advisor) yesterday and she told me to stop over analyzing situations, and even when in great fear of having committed mortal sin to receive the Eucharist, because my own ability to self-judge and determine the gravity of my sins is twisted at the moment. There's your answer right there. Listen to your spiritual director and/or confessor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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