Combating Scruples?

[scardella]

Hi All,

What's an effective way to combat scruples? Causes? How does one differentiate scrupulous guilt/behavior from spiritual sensitivity/zeal? How does one gain that balance that lets them see without specks/planks in their eyes?

The last two times I've confessed things and the priest thought I was being scrupulous and I had admitted that it may have been bordering on it.

Thanks in advance.

[phatcatholic]

[url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=18215"]this thread[/url] should be very helpful for you. we discussed this topic there in great length. there are also links in that thread to some great articles that should be helpful as well. if you have any more questions after reviewing that thread, just let us know.

pax christi,
phatcatholic

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='scardella' date='Jun 21 2005, 03:13 PM']Hi All,

What's an effective way to combat scruples?[/quote]
knowledge and prayer are your greatest weapons. as far as knowledge is concerned, educate yourself on what the Church really teaches about sin and culpability. often times we are harsher on ourselves then the Church actually is.........and the Church should always be our guide. the catechism is a good source here. also see the section on "The Nature of Sin" in the [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=20952"]Sin and the Christian Lifestyle[/url] entry.

along w/ sin and culpability, learn more about the mercy and forgiveness of the Lord. when we get wrapped up in our own sin, we often forget that our Lord is merciful and forgiving. these words can seem so vague that we actually lose their meaning. what is mercy? what is forgiveness? study. find the answers to these questions. i'm all about knowledge aiding faith. so, go to places like [url="http://www.newadvent.org/"]New Advent[/url] and [url="http://www.catholicculture.org/"]Catholic Culture[/url] and EWTN's [url="http://www.ewtn.com/vlibrary/search.asp"]Document Library[/url] and search for articles relevent to this topic.

as far as prayer is concerned, meditate on the mercy and forgiveness of the Lord. pray that the Lord will make his mercy and forgiveness more real in your life. ask him to increase in you an appreciation for these things. ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and the ability to discern what is right, what is wrong, and what is sin. pray the [url="http://www.catholicexchange.com/clibrary//document.asp?document_id=5328&category_id=632&main_cat_id=625"]Divine Mercy Chaplet[/url] and [url="http://www.newadvent.org/library/rosary.pdf"]the rosary[/url].

also, note that satan is good at taking something good like religious fervor and zeal and turning it into something destructive like scrupulosity. so, while confronting the ways in which we contribute to our own scrupulosity, we must also acknowledge the work of the enemy. so, pray too for protection from satan. in the [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=13407"]Prayer, Devotion, and Spirituality[/url] entry, you will find prayers for protection / renunciation and spiritual warfare.

[quote]Causes?[/quote]
well, satan is most certainly a cause. we can be a cause as well. if you are a perfectionist, or a "type-A" personality, or if you tend to obsess over things, these traits can all lead to scrupulosity. if authority figures in your life were unduly harsh and demanding of you when you were young (such as parents, teachers, coaches) this can cause a person to place harsh demands on themselves. often times, people who convert (or revert) to christianity from a life of lawlessness overcompensate by being too legalistic. of course, scrupulosity can also be due to ignorance about the true nature of sin, culpability, mercy and forgiveness-- and a false impression of who God is and how he really works in our lives.

[quote]How does one differentiate scrupulous guilt/behavior from spiritual sensitivity/zeal?  How does one gain that balance that lets them see without specks/planks in their eyes?[/quote]
again, knowledge and prayer. through studying the teachings of the church, we should be able to determine what is scrupulous and what is not. of course, there are always gray areas, and that's when the moral theologians come in. we are certainly here to try and help you w/ those issues that seem difficult to call. while doing our part to learn, we also pray that the Lord will guide and protect us and help us discern the true state of our souls and our actions.

[quote]The last two times I've confessed things and the priest thought I was being scrupulous and I had admitted that it may have been bordering on it.[/quote]
you should always consult your priest. ask him to give you advice on how to overcome this, if it is indeed scrupulosity.

i hope that helps

pax christi,
phatcatholic

[jezic]

maybe try the simple route, pray about overcoming/being cured of it.



That might seem to easy, but often the simple road can be the best.

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='jezic' date='Jun 21 2005, 04:53 PM']maybe try the simple route, pray about overcoming/being cured of it.



That might seem to easy, but often the simple road can be the best.
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[/quote]
also a perfectly good approach

[Guest JeffCR07]

I think that, as phat said, an effective way to combat this is to discuss with your confessor. Also, if you have a spiritual director, that would be a wonderful resource as well. I think that in discussing things like that with others, particularly when those others are holy and spiritually grounded men and women, it helps to give us a more objective and less emotional/guilty view of the sin. Also, as we practice seeing ourselves through the eyes of others, we become more aware of what constitutes a mortal or venial sin.

- Your Brother In Christ,

Jeff

[scardella]

Well, I've been unsuccessful in finding a spiritual director since I graduated from college, but I do have plenty of well-grounded friends here.

When I was talking to one of said friends, he agreed with the notion that I was being scrupulous. However, over the weekend, some sort of grace helped out, and I wasn't being quite so scrupulous... I just don't want to assume that it's gone forever or completely, though.

[phatcatholic]

well, just keep it at, try the avenues i suggested as well.