Confession

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='InHisLove726' post='1730234' date='Dec 17 2008, 06:52 AM']That was 5 days ago, and I haven't had a single temptation, yet. I usually have them all the time, but I believe the reason for me not having any is because I acknowledged genuinely that I am a weak person and I can't do it without His help. If left to my own devices, without His grace, I would indeed sin again. It's not that I am crazy. I just know I can't do it on my own. I acknowledge that I need Him.

If you need any support for whatever reason, don't hesitate to ask me. I know how you must be feeling. [/quote]

I've been there before too (and, like you, I'm in the same place again, at least for the time being and hopefully for good). Be thankful for breaking the immediate cycle of sin, but also be aware that the underlying issues that caused you to be attracted to it in the first place have not disappeared. The longer cycle of this sin requires a longer battle to be broken.

During times of stress, anger, fatigue, inebriation (all the more reason to remain sober, of course) our defenses are quickly worn down and we easily fall back on old habits just to escape the situation. It's easy to pat ourselves on the back and congratulate ourselves for doing a good job, thus subtlely slipping into a faith that rests on our own works instead of clinging to grace and the Cross.

Don't be afraid to seek accountability outside of Confession, if not for the sin itself, at least for helping yourself to build good habits that will strengthen your mind, body, and soul again the sin you're dealing with. Unless you're received a special gift of grace, one Confession has delivered forgiveness, but it hasn't delivered you from the attachments and weaknesses. I'm not saying this to rain on your parade, but so that you can use this time when you are stronger to prepare for temptation when it returns, because you will be tempted again.

Edited December 17, 2008 by LouisvilleFan

[InHisLove726]

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1730271' date='Dec 17 2008, 10:00 AM']I've been there before too (and, like you, I'm in the same place again, at least for the time being and hopefully for good). Be thankful for breaking the immediate cycle of sin, but also be aware that the underlying issues that caused you to be attracted to it in the first place have not disappeared. The longer cycle of this sin requires a longer battle to be broken.

During times of stress, anger, fatigue, inebriation (all the more reason to remain sober, of course) our defenses are quickly worn down and we easily fall back on old habits just to escape the situation. It's easy to pat ourselves on the back and congratulate ourselves for doing a good job, thus subtlely slipping into a faith that rests on our own works instead of clinging to grace and the Cross.

Don't be afraid to seek accountability outside of Confession, if not for the sin itself, at least for helping yourself to build good habits that will strengthen your mind, body, and soul again the sin you're dealing with. Unless you're received a special gift of grace, one Confession has delivered forgiveness, but it hasn't delivered you from the attachments and weaknesses. I'm not saying this to rain on your parade, but so that you can use this time when you are stronger to prepare for temptation when it returns, because you will be tempted again.[/quote]

I hear what you're saying, and it's true. I have a habit of slipping back in to the sin when I am stressed or angry. In fact, I got rather stressed out this past week after an argument with my mom. I knew that it would cause me to be tempted to gravitate towards that habitual sin because I often thought of it as a release before I would become guilty. So, I got myself away from that situation. I asked the Lord for strength, said a quick prayer to Mary to pray for my strength, and closed my laptop. I removed myself before I got any temptations. After I closed my laptop, I grabbed my rosary and said the Divine Mercy Chaplet. My stress melted away because I was so focused in prayer, and I knew what I had to do to get away from slipping into sin. I will never forget this. I have 2 rosaries, and I carry one in my purse with me at all times. I don't have an excuse anymore for not praying it.