The Symptoms of Vanity (and the Surprising Cure)

[@Mementomori707]

Fr. Mike, you don't know how much I've needed to hear this. I'm going through a hard time in school mostly because I'm trying to fit in. But sometimes I need to remember who I am as a child of God and that I already fit in the story God has for me.

[@MartinGonzalez-rt5dd]

I’m having the same problem, praying for you🙏🙏👍🏻

[@lukaskeysor7980]

Prayers for you

[@M0odyBlue]

That’s very wise😊

[@Kate-cz2sv]

Be true to God and a holy way of life. You will find friends who think the same as you do. Better to have a few good friends than those that are fake. Not easy but your well formed conscience will prevail & you will have more peace. Keep fighting the good fight and find those friends.

[@Mementomori707]

@@MartinGonzalez-rt5dd I'll be praying for you too as well

[@IONov990]

I am a very vain person. It comes out in trying to impress or people please. Having difficulty disagreeing with others or correcting them. Feeling embarrassed by criticism. Always wanting to be perfect. It's too much to worry so much.

[@marabernardo5187]

I am the same way

[@cailinciuin22]

Me too

[@nancybushman504]

Ditto

[@dymoure]

Deleting Instagram for the first time ever (since I got it in 2014) during this Lent. This video confirms it was a perfect idea. I’m not even done with the first day, and I feel so much happier already. It’s like I’m a kid again, wanting to be more creative with free time instead of scrolling on something.

[@n4ughty_knight]

How do you do it? I've tried to stop using social media for months but usually the lack of things to do outside always turns me back to a screen.

[@jacksteiner1034]

same

[@jjj.5562]

@@n4ughty_knight fill the void of social media with meaningful stuff, put books on your phone youve meant to read. carry a notebook or book around with you even. go deeper into that hobby you started to get into. i personally still use instagram but on my computer instead. twenty hours a week became maybe two. fortunately my friends agreed to move our group chat off of instagram for our benefit. it took me a year of cycles of redownloading and re-quitting but this year i feel im finally over it. your craving for that addictive instagram feed will diminish once you rediscover how much you can do with your free time

[@Him__3000]

​@@n4ughty_knightThe only solution I've found, and I am still struggling constantly with it as well, is just to find little things to do in place of the screens. Yeah maybe organizing pens in a drawer isn't the most productive thing to do, but if you have nothing else to do it's much better than staring at a screen. It's better to be able to not do anything, just to be still, but who am I kidding, nowadays that's almost impossible. Good luck, I hope that helps!

[@MatthewPoerschmann]

God bless ❤

[@Praise_JMJ]

Vanity - the inordinate preoccupation with what other people think. Thank you Father for teaching and guiding us.

[@Jaspa8188]

To hear Father say that he had times when he didn't stand up for the Lord took so much weight off of my shoulders. Even though I confessed that sin it still weighed so so heavy on me. Thank God for Everyone here and for Father Mike. God bless.

[@annetterizzi1589]

I used to be an attention monger who thrived for acceptance of others and than I came to a realization. If Jesus Christ, the son of God and the most perfect person who ever existed couldn't get everyone to like and accept him, so much so, that they crucified him than how could an ordinary person like myself do so? The answer is that I just can't ! It's impossible and it's okay. Now I just try to focus on impressing God.

[@DylanGemelliBiohacking]

Thank you so much Father Mike!! I have spent so many years of my life having this issue… From being a fashion model to now being a large social media influencer, i have succumb to this to such a high extreme. Finally, as God came and brought me back to him, and making my top priority to be like Jesus, I have stopped this and pray continuously about becoming a better person not just for me but with the humility to show others as well. Your lesson here was so important to me and I cannot thank you enough! If i could only put into words the freedom I feel not living my life based om what others think but now being focused on how I am viewed in the eyes of Jesus, i would yell it out constantly! Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

[@penanceixx447]

Father Mike, the clever intro you were looking for is: "You're so vain, you probably think this video is about you." At least, that's what I'm gonna tell my friends when I send them this video! Thank you, and God bless!

[@margaretsmith6438]

I’m 59 years old and still learning. Thank you for teaching us Fr. Mike, so we can all make better choices. I didn’t know the true meaning of vanity, until today. Thanks be to God ✝️🙏🏻🤗

[@MarlonSamir7]

Thank you father Mike from Colima Mexico. Since 6 years or so I've been watching your amazing videos and most of the time your energy is awesome and your message really really cool. You've been the father that regretfully we don't have in our churches. You and many others help me to love being catholic.

[@called_to_homestead]

Wow. This hit home. I always thought I was “self conscious” but truly it’s vanity. I’ve never heard it like this and this really is sobering. Thank you for this ❤️

[@shirleygiordano7627]

I didn't realize this. I had no clue that I was vain. I thought I got rid of what I thought was my vanity. I think everyone is pointing at me and laughing at me. Thanks for the info. I appreciate it, sir.

[@ChildofGod98765]

God, please bless me and my children both of my sons are special needs, and I’m overwhelmed all the time because I’m on my own as a single mother I have no one to turn you, but you Heavenly father give me strength as I struggle to buy groceries, and I struggle to pay rent, and as I struggle, in my everyday life, and as I struggle with my faith keep me safe and protect me from the evil ones of this world in Jesus name, I pray!

[@splinterbyrd]

You should not care what other people think, but you should always care what other people feel. I would say there's a difference.

[@ExploreAroundUsOfficial]

New Protestant subscriber here! That was a great video to watch together either my daughter while I was talking about this subject with her!

[@rruiz4145]

Thank you Father Mike! I needed to hear this so much! As I am finishing my cancer treatments and I feel like I look nothing like I did before cancer, and I worried about others opinion about my new me…always thankful that God gives me another day of life, but my physical appearance did cause some emotional stress, but you are right….it doesn’t matter how I look….I should be thankful that God knows me, and God stood by my side through this journey! Blessings everyone!

[@rebeccaparker1554]

Thank you for your positivity

[@AlexanderBrown77]

1 John 5 kJV 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 Peter 1 kJV 🩸 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

[@den.utarbaev]

Thanks for your wisdom and your guidance, father Mike!

[@crystallight6488]

The fact that the light flickers @3:12 when he’s talking about God just shows how truly wonderful God is! He’s always present and so loving! ❤

[@julieCA58]

I didn't notice that. Cute.

[@Maria-bw9sr]

God bless you Father Mike. Our Lady of Guadalupe may protect you 🙏

[@reubenrodrigues7962]

Thank you Fr Mike this is amazing lenten reflection for me!

[@emilytrksak1786]

This video was perfectly timed!! Thanks Fr. Mike!

[@margaretfoster8796]

Thank you Fr. Mike for all that you do to educate us about our Catholic faith. God Bless you and I pray for you and all clergy.

[@XxreiraxX1]

I was just dealing with this! God speaks to me in so many ways ❤

[@johnodee100]

Such wisdom, delivered with aplomb, kindness and love. God bless, Fr. Mike.

[@katrinasymonds5513]

Thank you Father ❤. Amen 🙏

[@mnm2156]

May God bless Fr. Mike and Ascension Press(/Presents) ❤😊

[@irismckay6472]

Thank you Fr. Mike for this message. Definitely timely and needed. Great gift for first day of Lent.

[@17CW68fNv]

Good Lenten thoughts. There are many ways to be vain, will have to work on that. Thank you. God Bless. Claire.

[@annet9049]

Thank you helping to clarify this for me. I believe too that fear and love of the Lord can help. I see now how much this has been playing in my life. Thank for truth that sets us free. 😊

[@pattihuke2992]

Thank-you for a good teaching. No more of people please and remembering who I am in Jesus Christ

[@markwilson3658]

Bless you Father Mike (our Brother in Christ). Thank you deeply, powerful Word/Truth. Our identity, before our destiny. Amen. Mark (Rotorua, NZ) All for one and one for All ⛪

[@annmarievalenti9264]

WOW! SO GLAD TO HEAR THIS. I thought because I got my grey colored & nails done that was vain. So happy. I understand now thank goodness 🙏🏻

[@clairelaskey5592]

My mom put us in little white gloves and tiny purses for Sunday mass. All to look like a perfect family , all while my parents abused us at home. She’d shush me when I was little because little kids don’t think before they speak very childlike. She taught me to constantly worry on what others thought of me and to be an unhealthy people pleaser. I forgive . Now through God’s grace I’m a daughter of Christ & I straighten my crown and walk without fear of others as long as I’m lead by Christ. My only father .

[@annameyer325]

You are such a healing person/ learning so much by your talks. Beyond refreshing!

[@chemone8636]

Always such clarity, so helpful! Thankyou! God bless you and everyone here!

[@driveramd12]

Thank you Father, is scary I am learning so much about the status of my soul and relationship with my activities, I am learning and growing thank to you and your peers. So much to learn and correct.

[@monermccarthy7198]

Father Mike you complete my day each time I listen to you.

[@BlackHermit]

Yes, I think I am quite preoccupied with what other people think. I will pray to be less vain. Thank you!

[@rstart.1276]

What you said about vanity being rooted in identity is so true - I realized this through praying, that I've been distracting myself by making my identity what others say about me or how they may perceive me but it's only because I get it (this 'identity' or how they perceive me) quite often and it can be hard to focus. I feel like even when I try to be myself and show someone who I am beside what they see me as, that's still what they're seeing...hoping that makes sense without saying too much. But yeah - 'focus' is a big big thing I've been hearing from the Holy Spirit lately.

[@garyw6776]

God bless you. I enjoy your wisdom. Pray for me.🙏

[@jacintarescate2423]

Hi Father Mike, starting my Bible in a year with you in Hallow as part of my Lenten devotion. Just finished the Introduction. Pray for me that I’ll persevere, that it will transform my interior life and have a deeper relationship with the Holy Trinity

[@cindyb5065]

Once you get going you won’t want to stop. I liked it so much that I did it twice. I learned so much about the Bible and myself. 😊

[@paulacevedo8814]

Praise to you God and Jesus Christ😇🙏❤

[@ruthortega5822]

This is great!! As usual, Father Mike, you know exactly what to say which always makes sense and makes me feel so much better. Thank you for your wise words.

[@stephengough7471]

Thanks.o had.fogotten about vanity and the lessons, also.its meaning, I found selflessness in thought, action and prayer the truth and salvation in removing vanity from my self.

[@opencurtin]

The ego is the issue with a lot of us !

[@FollowerofChrist2002]

Praise be to You Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord our God, Holy is Your Name. May God bless y’all prayers out for y’all. We humbly pray and wish all of this in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior’s Holy Name, Amen.

[@doritakaloff6672]

Thank you so much father! I had been asking how exactly to name that’s excessive preoccupation about what others think…. It’s a problem I had dealt for about half my life. Now, you made realize that it’s actually a sin and that I must work on take it out of my life.

[@sunkencubeoctahedron7844]

You cannot imagine how much this has helped....

[@Nunwannabe1234]

Thank you Father Mike for talking about this, I did think vanity was conceit and thinking too highly of yourself so I've always gone the opposite way. I've always been very self-conscious and worried about what people think. Thank you for setting me straight on this one. Love you very much

[@R_Thomp]

Thank you Father

[@mnm2156]

Thank You Fr. Mike, this was a Godsend ❤ Need to hear this today😊

[@DawnLapka]

"The inordinate preoccupation with what other people think = vanity." I only have my self control and self-management of my own faculties. I care about my friends, family, and strangers. But I need to self-care and focus on my own relationship with God, in order to be successful in my relationships with others. That's what I got out of this reflection. I hope that you work on a full-length homily on this, Father Mike. Thanks. God bless. Have a blessed Ash Wednesday.

[@alejandrinahs]

Keep ‘em coming, Fr. Mike and AP! 🕊️🍇

[@mamadaughtercatholichome]

Amen! Thank you for sharing !❤ That is a new word for me.(vanity) Identity in christ.

[@cathybranly1839]

That was such a helpful definition. Thank you.

[@sueburnett4041]

Another great message. Thank you Father.

[@caitlynmayrandcaitlynmayra5596]

Fr. Mike well said . My friend say stop talking about Jesus Christ and I will stop talking about Jesus . Father make I actually listen to catechism in the year podcast Bible in a year and I really like it I always put on my headphones work on my GED school work and just listen to what I need to hear you are seriously amazing my minister I have two ministers I have one minister who is a Catholic priest and one minister is just a My Catholic priest Father sean he got me into watching watching your videos and listening to your podcast so keep on doing what you’re doing and changing peoples lives.

[@n4ughty_knight]

I've never thought of vanity as being worried about what other people think of me but it makes sense since the only one who can judge us is God. Maybe that explains why many people are so dedicated to their appearance. They fear being judged by other people. Dust judging dust.

[@neestovekin8251]

I really needed to hear this, thank you! I've been going through layers of realizing that caring too much about what others think & trying to manage their expectations/ impressions & even not allowing them to reject me -- that all this is immature and doesn't allow for real connection and that I want to grow past this. That the cure for vanity is being rooted in our identity, being firm: this resonates so much. 🙏🙏 Something I'm excited to explore during Lent & going forward 😊

[@lizpuett5777]

Thank you for the clarification, Father Mike.

[@patriciawilliams7110]

Your videos always teach me so much . I really appreciate your videos ❤❤

[@marystenson2852]

So glad you have recovered from the cold Fr. !!❤️🙏☘️

[@annarosefedish8802]

Thank you Fr. Mike.

[@shareenchoudhury-leighton1748]

💙 excellent definition of vanity 💙 For some people, it can be a very long journey in finding their true identity... self discovery, etc .. when one is connected and open to receiving God's love ..well, the light will fill your heart, and the search is over :-) 'cause you've come home :-)

[@dansedevie123]

Thanks Father, I was praying for a video on this topic, my preoccupation with what others think was something I wanted to work on this Lent.

[@sandrasabatini5175]

Im driven also with preoccupations abt people thinking I stink like a skunk, or worse than that. It’s an enormous preoccupation indeed!

[@michaelanthony4750]

I've been on a roll with some of your videos lately. Another good one!

[@janetandrews1306]

Thank you Father Mike.

[@pv1445]

Thank you Fr. Mike, good for thought. Needed to hear this. God bless

[@veronicamorgan181]

This video was perfect timing and exactly what I needed today. Thank you

[@carolinehowell5362]

Didn’t expect to hear this point of view but it’s true where real “security” initiates from … God the Father. It’s a matter of me truly believing that to help me in my own insecurities.

[@sharona1211]

Thanks!

[@AscensionPresents]

Thank you for supporting Ascension! 💛

[@Publius-24]

Jesus I love you. All I have is yours. Yours I am and yours I want to be. Do with me whatever you will. Amen

[@petetboncore6591]

Thank you thank you Father Mike. Very timely message I needed to here. Thank you again.

[@mistyviolet3825]

Fatehr Mike working up to a million subs 😊

[@debbiekotch6006]

I was always worried about what other people thought about me cus I wanted everyone to like me. But I don't care if people like me anymore I am who I am and I believe what I believe. Courage to be yourself

[@jesusworksbro4Life]

Jesus loves you and is with you

[@gigih.9254]

Thank you for another inspiring and thoughtful lesson!

[@soma4u289]

Seems people are manipulated to desire too materially 'Belong'. Accepting that the reward for our existence is in the hereafter can really make the up's and downs of real life pale into insignificance, although still a major irritation, that's life. Inner peace is worth a thousand acquaintances. What better reason is needed to believe in our God. Thanks Schmitzy.

[@shannonabeywardena7323]

Thank you, Father Mike!!!

[@Ritabug34]

That's so helpful Fr. Mike!!! Thank you

[@Bigchilezlife]

That’s what is happening to me Instagram trying to define me, getting angry at people in relationships when I tried to be in one but they never liked me or never gave me a chance! And been hurt, betrayed & ignored for no reason. Lord help me in this Lent Season 💜💜💜😔 and comparing myself way too much and getting angry at people and their successes

[@tracybrophy6767]

Praying this Lent you will discover in a new way how very deeply Jesus loves you and longs for your company. ❤

[@irismckay6472]

Praying for God's help for you as well, my brother.

[@Bigchilezlife]

@@tracybrophy6767 thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Bigchilezlife]

@@irismckay6472 thank you ❤️

[@johnbennett948]

​@@tracybrophy6767 With a name Brophy, you must have Irish blood in you. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@Sunshine-hn7ob]

This hit me right in the heart. Excellent!

[@TheCharlie1701]

A good explanation of a conolex topic. Thanks Fr Mike.

[@johnschweiger6486]

As the saying goes,(and I’ve been guilty of this many times), “If we don’t stand for something, then we’ll stumble and fall for ANYTHING!” Human respect can be one of the most dangerous things to matters of truth and morals.

[@elsacamacho6496]

You have a GREAT way of explaining things, Gracias Father Mike GOD Bless YOU. 👍💯💯✌️💯

[@Eternallyhopeful7788]

I never considered that description of vanity… very interesting… very good… Ive always thought of vanity as preoccupation with physical appearance… very good message.

[@peggybruening4415]

Don’t ever forget that you are loved more than you can imagine by a God who created you out of love. This NEVER changes even if friends do❤

[@adorablebelle]

The timing on this!

[@shirleygiordano7627]

Yes, Carly Simon. She wrote it for Mick Jagger.

[@nancyjohnson5483]

very well relayed message, thank you

[@HelenSkyGazerTheFrosty]

Thank you Lord! 🙏 I failed doing Lent every other time bar now 💗

[@dancewiththedevil8]

father you were spitting facts with this one

[@CrankyGrandma]

Thank you for this!

[@michaelman957]

I needed this. Thank you.

[@lizpuett5777]

I am a beloved child of God. My only identity. ♥️

[@FreedomandBaconHomestead]

Jesus, heal us all.

[@shaunbarr1856]

Thankyou 🙏 🤲 🕍 🕌 ⛪️ 🙏 🤲

[@Rxpinn]

Wow! Eye-opening!