Tips for Overcoming Scrupulosity w/ Fr. Mark Goring

[@milagroman75]

My scrupulously was so overwhelming that I decided to leave the faith temporarily to ease the stress. It only made things worse and I regret it every day. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Fr. Goring is so correct about this.

[@amgalleg1]

Same here. I decided to “back off” since I felt I was only seeking God out of fear. Now years later I found out what I was experiencing was scrupulosity. :(

[@milagroman75]

@@amgalleg1 Here are some words from Saint John Chrysostom that have helped me understand how modern life twisted my perception of being scrupulous. “Be ashamed when you sin, don't be ashamed when you repent. Sin is the wound, repentance is the medicine. Sin is followed by shame; repentance is followed by boldness. Satan has overturned this order and given boldness to sin and shame to repentance”. Now this was the 4th century! Seems far from modern, but at the time St. Chrysostom was seeing a lot of radical changes occur in Constantinople that seemed “modern” to him at the time. Remember that even those 1600 years ago felt in ways you do. Many consider St. Augustine to have been scrupulous, as well as St. Therese of Lisieux. Fearing God is natural as we are powerless in comparison, but His love for you outweighs any painful fear you could ever experience in this temporal life. Be well and may Christ be with you.

[@KatholikosKelly_ILOLG_1531]

@@milagroman75 Thank you so much for this! May God Bless you! ❤

[@christianabella3592]

Saw this pop up in my notifications and I clicked on it real quick. Please pray for me as I struggle with this scrupulosity of mine with God that I may be able to accept and embrace God's love. God bless you Matt and Fr. Mark!

[@mikerogan9389]

🙏❤️

[@Hendricana]

Hi there, scrupulosity is often OCD and therefore seeking reassurance to reduce short term anxiety actually perpetuates the problem. The solution is to disengage from the analysis, don't waste time and energy trying to make yourself feel better, you know right from wrong, don't try to figure it out, just move on. Over time it will get easier. In OCD it's like your dragon alarm gets tripped by every little lizard and reassurance just lubricates the alarm. Resisting seeking reassurance is the solution. Sometimes meds are needed too.

[@paulgman3531]

Christian, I am in the same boat. God love's us!

[@EC-rd9ys]

Same. Remember that our faith is about mercy, not about merit! That's what I tell myself.

[@aidangonsalves9933]

I'm in this journey with you man! I pray that your overcome your scrupulosity! :D

[@michaelmcevoy5282]

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes everyone ❤🌹🕊

[@ashleyslack5960]

May her Immaculate heart triumph! 🙂

[@patrickheneghan2794]

🙏📿🇮🇪

[@catholicfemininity2126]

Scrupulosity is painful, I want to go to daily mass, but one bad thought or one impatient angry moment and I'm panicking thinking I'm in mortal sin and can't go to daily mass or can't receive communion. And worse is that novus ordos don't have confession before daily mass. Which sucks because that SHOULD be a requirement for a priest to hear your confession, if you ask him, before any mass, no excuse.

[@christianabella3592]

I RELATE to you sister. Finding a good spiritual director would be my advice for now since I read from a spiritual book that that's one of the best aids for a scrupulous person.

[@pokemonboy4699]

I go to a TLM where there is a confessor present during Mass. When i cannot go to a TLM then i go to a Novus Ordo where there is a confessor present during Mass in the church offices or the Confessional! It is a brilliant idea honestly.

[@galpinklilyempire6905]

You might have ocd ,.

[@bobnas]

The Novus Ordo mass near me has daily confessions 30 minutes before every mass, thank God

[@bevcoughlan8599]

God has a tender heart so I’m careful not to hurt Him with my actions. I know He wants me just to be myself and love Him the best I can. Jesus showed how God feels about us in His friendships with the Apostles. They weren’t perfect yet he loved each one just the way they were. He had a Mark and a Matt too.

[@MS-dc1iu]

Pray for me I struggle with this

[@kyleellis8665]

I used to suffer from this and feel the remnants of it. It’s a pain in the arse and a tragedy. You’ll be in my prayers.

[@williewonka8376]

Yes

[@TracyW-me8br]

I think St Therese can help here too. Her Little Way is perfect for people who may tend toward scrupulosity (although some may have a real condition that actually needs therapy)

[@jacobcarter6332]

God bless

[@theuglydumplings3324]

Please pray for me when you see this. Scrupulosity is eating away at my heart.

[@jacqueschauvin1398]

Me too. I pray for you

[@FollowerofChrist2002]

May God bless you all prayers for you all who deal with this burden and for any other strugglers. We humbly pray and wish all of this through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior’s Holy Name, Amen.

[@wretolol-vn3bc]

how is it going now?

[@lmj929]

I love Fr Mark.

[@antoinettecarson8145]

That is very hard. But as Christians we are set apart from the world. The many examples of what Christ taught us with walking in faith, hope & love. But it's hard at times.

[@lisawalls4194]

It’s difficult if you are scrupulous due to OCD.

[@alexanderlazowski7562]

Our Lady of Sorrows grant us, by meditating on thy 7 sorrows, the consolation we plead for and if it be the will of your Son, the cure we so much desire.

[@determinedchristian]

I never had a lick of scrupulosity until I became catholic. 41 years a Christian but the last 5 years as a catholic has been hell in my mind, absolute hell. Worst 5 years of my life spiritually.

[@Hailnut]

Why did you change to catholic then?

[@determinedchristian]

@@Hailnut I was convinced by others it was the one true church.

[@katyarn3751]

1:58 "If you are treating God like an angry, mean, volatile Father..." Well, I don't want to but that WAS my earthly father. So how do we heal?

[@abbybettencourt9709]

Something that helped me was an essay written by Fr William Doyle about scrupulosity!

[@MrNoSIeep]

There is a wonderful article on scrupulosity by Father William Doyle Jr. (catholicapologetics.info/library/onlinelibrary/scruples.htm) that covers how to overcome it, and I do not believe that either Father Mark, nor Mr. Fradd have enough experience in the subject to speak on it, judging by what they have said thus far in the video. They seem to think Scrupulosity is an anger at oneself. Whilst that may be the case sometimes, it is (at least for me) more based around fear. I am glad that they have put a video up on it, and I hope that God blesses them both.

[@martinamartinkova3141]

Scrupulosity is so hard when I am catholic...because how am I supposed to believe in Divine Mercy when catholicism teaches that if I did mortal sin I will burn in hell for eternity.So if no confession + mortal sin = hell ,than Divine Mercy works only on venial sins ? :(

[@emotionalsupportpaintbrush]

Scrupulous is about anxiety no religion and parishioners often feel they need permission to go to therapy to treat this form of OCD

[@A.S2400]

Little children do what they’re told they are. Tell them their terrible sinners they act that way. Tell them they are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, they (we) will act that way.

[@massoverride478]

He is infinitely patient but don’t fall into comfort of sin

[@mariac4602]

As a family member of someone who is extremely sensitive and has a deep love of God, yet is experiencing some conservative college pharisaical Behavior from peers, I see this idea of “better to be a little on the scrupulous side” to be so damaging. Not everyone is able to simply dismiss this “law and order” mindset. It can, in fact, cause such crippling anxiety that relief may be sought by walking away from the faith altogether because they cannot separate a well formed conscience from this legalistic mindset. I. have met several people in my lifetime for whom this was the experience. Please remember, We are living in a world of the walking wounded and high degrees of sensitivity and compassion along with the GOOD NEWS that we are loved and redeemed are what we need from our priests and teachers and preachers and fellow Catholics.

[@pkmr5284]

I suffer from multiple forms of Catholic OCD/ Scrupulosity; "one" of the things I suffer from is always questioning whether or not I made a good confession; it's horrible; so, I thought ... I will seek out a "spiritual director" who maybe can help me with this problem; I was told by the "spiritual director" that "spiritual direction" was not for me, but I needed "pastoral care;" this really upset me; I thought a "spiritual director" might be able to give "spiritual advice" on this matter (😤); I was NOT HAPPY!! Ok, so who do I go to for "pastoral care?" I don't feel like Priests have the time; and I don't know that they could relate and offer the needed guidance, unless they have been through this themselves; it would be great if a person could walk outside, and there would be this mile long list of Priests flailing their arms and shouting, "Pick me!! Pick me!!" But it doesn't work like that. 😓😓😓 Plus, I told the "spiritual director" that God has shown me something about Holy Mary's Fatima Apparition of 1917 that is NOT YET KNOWN (END TIMES INFO; I have been studying this for YEARS); I told her that I understood that "she," very well may not be the one to talk to about this, but I wanted to let her know, as I thought she might could point me to someone she knew; all I got from her was what I already told you about "pastoral care;" I did a couple of very brief follow-up emails that she did not even respond to; I really felt/ FEEL rejected/ discarded/ abandoned. I have contacted the Fatima Center multiple times hoping to set up a meeting with this one man (David Rodriguez) I've been told I needed to talk to; he will not contact me, and they won't give me his email address or phone number; I guess they think I'm a KOOK, but I am telling you that THIS INFO I've been shown is OFF-THE-CHART 100% info from God. I need to talk with someone about it; I really believe the whole world needs to hear this, but I would really like to speak to a Priest, or a Fatima expert about it to receive input and hopefully get some confirmation and guidance regarding moving forward with this. Things are not working out presently; I don't know if maybe God's TIMING to divulge this info is still maybe a little early; i just don't know. Please, pray God's Will be done on this matter. WHEN this information is presented, you better be wearing a seat belt, because it will be one of the greatest things you've ever seen. Please, pray for me and about this matter. It is REALLY WEIGHING HEAVILY ON MY HEART AND MIND; I feel God wants this info made known. It's all pointing at the nearness of Jesus' Return. I believe I have been shown a diagram of God's plan that I could probably draw out for you in about 15 or 20 seconds, but to explain it would take "some time." God Bless; seeking prayers and support. 🙏✝️🙏

[@kristinac4771]

@@pkmr5284 sounds like spiritual warfare. Praying for peace for you

[@reynam5427]

I struggling with this😔🙏❤

[@christinemcguiness9356]

Jesus I trust in you🙏

[@determinedchristian]

I feel like catholic theology demands a deep fear. It has been driving me to madness. The love, joy, peace, etc I had as a protestant was 10 fold, once becoming catholic a treadmill of fear, etc has been never ending. Its awful.

[@RosfieldCont]

When I became Catholic, it was not like that, but now It kinda is. I look at someone and think I sinned, then later I think about it and think I sinned by rethinking it. Man, it's so hard right now. Honestly, don't even know what to do.

[@determinedchristian]

@@RosfieldCont I wish I knew what to tell you but I have been on a treadmill of uncertainty everyday since becoming catholic. :(

[@rayboi7924]

@@determinedchristian I have as well. This is not because the Catholic Faith is false, it may be that God is trying to get us to trust in Him more. Remember that there is no way to heaven except the way of the Cross.

[@rayboi7924]

@@determinedchristianI recommend reading the Diary of St. Faustina and having a strong devotion to the Divine Mercy. That Diary and devotion changed my life.

[@tomgreene2282]

The Catechism on Mortal Sin has useful material..

[@patrickdavis6370]

🙏🏼⛪🙏🏼🙌🏼

[@Adam444Tv]

He also says if you keep sinning you never knew me.. so which is it? 1 John 3:6

[@JP2GiannaT]

Check out Adam Cross's stuff on this subject. WAY more practical help.

[@MsHburnett]

Pope Benedict. Holy man

[@Mrsjuniify]

The answer given by Father Mark was very pious, and holy. Thank you , for your consideration about this question. I think, that how we react to God, though, is very dependent on how we , ourselves , have been treated by our own human parents and how we related to them; and, how we visualise our God. There is nothing predictable about God, the Father. Ancient Isrealites were not allowed to paint or sculpt an image of Whom they Thought was God. This was a good thing and very just. Those who during the past 2,000 years, during the western civilisation have painted God, the Father, have made of Him , and HIs image, too often , the image of a very old, overweight stupid looking, fat, often ugly, undignified human man, the weakest of all human beings , an ageing "pater familias" and deteriorating male figure with white, unkempt hair and a long beard! The great parent, Saint Monica stated : " In the eyes of little children, their Mother is like God. " Saint Monica was the devoted, holy mother of St. Augustin . She never gave up praying for her son´ s soul. and his conversion. God listened to her prayers and St. Augustin converted, before she died on the way back, together with St. Augustin to Hippo . After St. Augustin converted back to God, he returned to Hippo, his homeland where St. Augustin spent his final years. God is no "ogre" . He created our souls and designed our bodies. "Not a bird falls from the sky without his knowledge" , " He counts the hairs on our heads" . He is so accurate and exact and knows everything, even , about the accidents and failures of our car motors and even when the details of our everyday life go awry ! Angels are messengers and report when we burn our dinners or have any domestic accident or quarrel, etc. God listens to each of our prayers, especially, when they are said with great sincerity, awe and trust in Him, to solve our dilemmas and give us help. We must be in awe of God , Anything less than awe and the deepest love and respect of a helpless child is unrealistic. We must be scrupulous in our dealings with God; and our trust must be real and sincere. If we get angry with God , because He does not "hop to" when we snap our fingers, we must remember that God is not a "geni " in a lamp ! He is our King of Heaven and Earth for whom Heaven is His throne and our Earth is His footstool. God may not want to reveal Himself to us, at all. He is very expensive not cheap! He has awesome dignity, though He puts it aside out of sincere affection. We owe Him All our Gratitude ! He is dignified and retiring. We need Him, He does not Need us , although He loves us, and when we seek Him out with humility, He responds and does not spare Himself; he is refined and treats us like Princes of the Heavenly Throne ! He does not need us ! and He knows we need Him. He needs credit and praise all the time not because He is demanding, but, because He deserves it and wants to be recognised for what He is in relation to us. Anything less that well- deserved recognition of God ´s beauty, and amazingness, is totally insulting to Him and ridiculous for us, to be so blind ! We need to think about this, because this is the direct opposite thinking of a relationship, than we, who have been taught to respect ourselves Over what we deserve and what we Really are in the eyes of other people, are not used to meeting this kind of Love, which is gracious, but deservingly proud. God is the Pinnacle, Master of us and we are far, far below Him !

[@samgg5431]

If when one commits a mortal sin their soul is now a literal enemy of God the creator of everything....if that is a possibility then scrupulosity does not exist, or everyone should be 100x more scrupulous then they think.

[@reynam5427]

I suffer from this😐

[@JasonYoung-p3z]

Overwhelming NDE accounts paint a much different picture. We cant disregard them.

[@sayedelghairb8640]

Quran (112) In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. (Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.") Allah Almighty is Truthful

[@bobbysmith5514]

You are being fooled by Satan.....No Holy Spirit = False Religion. ....The Torah and the Bible both mentioned the Holy Spirit.....But your book does not.

[@sayedelghairb8640]

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

[@bobbysmith5514]

You are of your Father the Devil.... Repent.