Trouble with purity

[Rhianna]

Recently I've been having a lot of trouble with purity and chastity Part of the problem is that I'm still struggling with my faith and unsure of what is wrong and what isn't. Does anyone know good ways to overcome this problem? This is a very new problem for me, because I never used to have trouble overcoming it. This post is really convoluted, sorry. I'm not sure exactly what I want to say

[franciscanheart]

it's a very common problem, especially in today's society. let me think about this for a while and ill come back and answer. im sure by then you will have a couple of other responses as well.

[phatcatholic]

if your problem with chastity is in direct correlation with your knowledge of catholic morality (u seem to suggest that it is), then i would think that the best way for you to overcome your problem is to inform your conscience. find out what is right and what is wrong, and most importantly, why things are right and wrong like they are. this does not work for everyone, but it looks like it may be helpful for you. we have to have informed consciences if we are ever going to set out to do what is right.

utilize the following entries from the Directory:
--[b][url="http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/398"]The Nature of Sin[/url]
--[url="http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/402"]The Good and Virtuous Life[/url]
--[url="http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/413"]Christian Sexuality[/url]
--[url="http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/416"]Masturbation and Other Sexual Sins[/url]
--[url="http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/415"]Pornography[/url][/b]

i hope that helps

pax christi,
phatcatholic

[Rhianna]

Thank you. I've been trying to inform my conscience but its hard when a lot of the arguments against such things don't really make sense to me. I guess that's where the "blind faith" thing comes in, but i'm really bad with that because I don't like accepting things unless they make sense to me. I am trying though. I've only fallen hard once or twice, and I'm hoping that with resolve I can get better.

[phatcatholic]

if you don't understand something, just ask we have plenty of people here who can help what's on your mind?

[franciscanheart]

see i told ya someone would be along shortly that definitely wasnt going to be my answer

[cpp]

I recommend you to read St. Josemaria Escriva's "The Way" ("Camino") in its chapter about purity (you can read it online [url="http://www.escrivaworks.org/book/the_way/contents/4"]here at EscrivaWorks.org[/url]). Even better, print it and meditate about it in front of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. And confess often, *everytime* you fall. Don't trust your own faith; don't even trust your own ability to understand the things of the Lord. Put all your trust in the Lord, and He will set your heart free to love Him, and only Him.

[quote] 'What a wretched man am I! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death?' The cry is Saint Paul's. — Courage: he too had to fight. ([url="http://www.escrivaworks.org/book/the_way/point/138"]The Way, 138[/url])[/quote]

[photosynthesis]

sometimes I struggle with impure thoughts. my mind really does sink down into the gutter sometimes... It doesn't take too long before sinful thoughts turn into sinful actions.

One of the things that has helped me is using my overactive imagination to contemplate the mysteries og God. Whenever I am feeling tempted, or think of things that are impure, it helps to pick a story from one of the Gospels and just place myself into the role of one of the people... one thing I meditate on is Our Lord's Passion.. I try to imagine what Mary must have felt.. and what it would have been like to be a Christian then.

The Rosary (particularly the Sorrowful mysteries) is also a wonderful way tod o this.

[Botman]

[url="http://catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0051.html"]http://catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0051.html[/url]

check it

[LittleFlowerOfGOD]

wow...most things i wanted to say have already bee said...lol i struggled with masterbation a year or so ago. I think i was in the same spot you are...i didnt really figure it to be wrong, for one...and once i did...i didnt get why. what helped me was what has been said...giving yourself something else to think about. Confession helped me.. confession and mass are the answer to everything...try going to both more often if you can, especially confession. Talk to a Priest about why impure thoughts can be so wrong. Ask yourself the same question..but i agree with doing so in front of the blessed sacrement, so saten cant mess with ya..i will be praying for you

[Rhianna]

Thank you

[phatcatholic]

you're welcome