I don't know what to think of myself

[Paladin D]

(Please ignore my grammar, it's 1:25am and I'm tired)

I'm not sure why but, half the time I'm scared of the dark when I'm alone. I also feel the same way when I'm in a large place, or in a house by myself. I don't know why I'm like this, I'm 18 and a guy, this isn't normal. The only two conclusions I can think of are...

[b]1)[/b] I have a wild imagination, and at times it's hard to control.

[b]2)[/b] I've had some horrorific experiences as a child, constant nightmares + demonic encounters (some legit, some not). So I have a fear of demons. I know God will protect me, but the mere sound or sight of them, or a sudden suprise would make my heart stop.

...I deeply apologize for clottering the Open Mic with such topics every now and then, but I need to tell someone.

[Specter]

I have an overactive imagination also. I recommend keeping a Rosary or two nearby, and also planting Miraculous Medals around your house in strategic places.

[Paladin D]

[quote name='Specter' date='Feb 19 2005, 02:39 AM'] I have an overactive imagination also. I recommend keeping a Rosary or two nearby, and also planting Miraculous Medals around your house in strategic places. [/quote]
Aren't sacramentals weak though, considering they aren't up-to-par with Sacraments?

[Lil Red]

oh boy...i have a way over-active imagination...i can give myself the heebie-jeebies so fast, it's weird....even in church, i do this to myself....usually i just repeat a prayer (usually Hail Mary) really fast until i get the dickens outta there!

[Specter]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Feb 19 2005, 01:41 AM'] Aren't sacramentals weak though, considering they aren't up-to-par with Sacraments? [/quote]
They're better than nothing!

[Thy Geekdom Come]

When I'm alone and feeling some evil or foreboding, I like to meditate on Christ's presence with me. I find the Shield of St. Patrick particularly helpful, even though I only know parts of it by heart:

I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation,
His baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need,
The wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
Praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!

[jimbo]

Please don't laugh...


I had to have a night light in my room untill I was 10. I still like a light if I'm staying in a strange place.

[Pope St Clement 1]

[quote name='jimbo' date='Feb 19 2005, 04:29 PM'] Please don't laugh...


I had to have a night light in my room untill I was 10. I still like a light if I'm staying in a strange place. [/quote]
At that age Jimbo, I was still sleeping with the room light on !

[Matthew Buchanan]

When I was a bit younger (I'm 35 now) I used to have fears similar, but they came and went. Some of it was due in part to paranoid side effects of the illicit drugs I was using. Thank our Lord for deliverance. The way I helped to ease these fears was to confront them. I went camping alone in the mountains, and I prayed there. I confronted the dark head on. I used to have a phobia of heights and during the economic recession of 91, I took a job in masonry working on scaffolds. At first, if I went above 7 feet I was shaking. Later, I would walk a single board 8 inches wide, and carry heavy weights, and as I would tear them down, they would shake and shift. Even had a couple sink and had to come down one side just to keep from coming down hard. By confronting the fear little by little, it became less and less of a worry. Keep those sacred objects around you as the other person said. It is not necessarily the power of the sacramental that you need, but the constant reminder of God's presence around you, along with the holy angels, and saints. Should you decide to take any of this advice, just remember to take it slowly. Hope ya find solace.

[Seatbelt Blue]

[quote name='Pope St Clement 1' date='Feb 19 2005, 11:22 AM'] At that age Jimbo, I was still sleeping with the room light on ! [/quote]
I couldnt sleep all the way in the dark until I was 15. I turned my light off when I was 11 and kept the door cracked for years.

Edited February 19, 2005 by Seatbelt Blue

[Catholictothecore]

Peace; a lot of the saints have gone through similar worries. Your in good company. Pray when you have these temptations...God is always listening. He won't abandon you.

[azaelia]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Feb 19 2005, 02:33 AM'] I'm not sure why but, half the time I'm scared of the dark when I'm alone. I also feel the same way when I'm in a large place, or in a house by myself. I don't know why I'm like this, I'm 18 and a guy, this isn't normal. The only two conclusions I can think of are...

[b]1)[/b] I have a wild imagination, and at times it's hard to control.

[b]2)[/b] I've had some horrorific experiences as a child, constant nightmares + demonic encounters (some legit, some not). So I have a fear of demons. I know God will protect me, but the mere sound or sight of them, or a sudden suprise would make my heart stop. [/quote]
I slept with a night light until I was 17 years old. And I still have panick attacks if I'm alone in the dark. Stairwells especially freak me out. :ph34r:

Don't feel bad, I'm 20 and I'm still an achluophobic.

[heyyoimjohnny]

Hey Paladin, use your imagination to your advantage. It's what I do to keep my blood from running cold at night. After I say a prayer to Saint Michael, or to my guardian angel, I imagine them there. They have big swords, of course, and aren't shy about using them. Sounds silly, but it works for me.

[Catholictothecore]

that's cool!

[MC Just]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Feb 19 2005, 01:33 AM'] (Please ignore my grammar, it's 1:25am and I'm tired)

I'm not sure why but, half the time I'm scared of the dark when I'm alone. I also feel the same way when I'm in a large place, or in a house by myself. I don't know why I'm like this, I'm 18 and a guy, this isn't normal. The only two conclusions I can think of are...

[b]1)[/b] I have a wild imagination, and at times it's hard to control.

[b]2)[/b] I've had some horrorific experiences as a child, constant nightmares + demonic encounters (some legit, some not). So I have a fear of demons. I know God will protect me, but the mere sound or sight of them, or a sudden suprise would make my heart stop.

...I deeply apologize for clottering the Open Mic with such topics every now and then, but I need to tell someone. [/quote]
i've had some demonic encounters too. I'm not affraid though. I'm the type to start swinging at them. (Well in my case now I will wack em with a crucifix and splash holy water at em.