Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed with life?

All this advice is very helpful. The trick is implementing it in such a busy household. I must make more time, it is the most important thing in life. I get so busy and then so complacent.. Good thing Lent will be here before we know it! Lent always helps my perspective..

 

I have to say I am beginning to feel "under pressure" at the moment and a bit overwhelmed with all the darkness that is entering the world, especially with the liberal/LGBT agenda that is being pushed and all the disastrous changes it is bringing. We are living in a culture of despair and darkness and it seems to be getting worse.

 

It is getting worse Sanctus ... but ... remember!! Evil Personified wishes US to be "In Despair & Darkness" as it's part of the evil agenda to distract, confuse, scatter and dishearten The Flock and bring US down ... so Pray always ... and enjoy life's little-n-free pleasures like beautiful Sunrises/sets, wild flowers, children's laughter, birds singing, human smiles, touching and interaction with friends, ................. and All brought to YOU by a Loving God ;-)
This message brought to you by an Old, Tired and Arthritic CrewDog .... with too much Irish melancholy in his gene pool! ;-(
GOD GRANT JOY & PEACE TO ALL HERE!! ;-)

 

Me too, I am really feeling the pressure and it is scary. I'm finding the LGBT thing almost suffocating right now. I study/work at a university and the way it is being shoved down the students' throats is unbelievable. I think people, particularly the young, are living in fear of even secretly questioning the prescribed LGBT narrative.

And yet, we were born for these times. We have been chosen to be part of this great battle. And we have been given all the weapons we need, and then some. Be not afraid!

 

Peace, trust, courage, resignation and prayer and the Lord won't be missing to you. All that the Lord allows for you is nothing but means to become a saint.

 

For about a week I've been toying with posting the exact sentiments you posted! - is this what united in Christ feels like?

 

I have a strong feeling that more than ever, we must now put our full faith and trust in God. Yes, things are dark, getting darker, and will get incredibly dire, I feel. However, as Kathy K and some others have said, I agree that we are being trained now. Part of the training is to let go and let God, as it were. If we truly put our faith and trust in God and pray unceasingly, we will be fine

 

I think we need this time of training as I can tell you- I am still a big weak baby! Just trying to fast for a few hours and give up coffee (and I drink decaf so it is not an addiction issue) is making my flesh scream! But then I remember what is at stake- the truth is even among Catholics going to Mass how many are praying rosaries and making sacrifices for our families and the Holy Souls and the dying? Not too many! I was telling the Lord today that I wanted to go back to being a Hallelujah praise and worship Bible study girl But then I remember why I became Catholic- it is true and I trust in Jesus! He needs all hands on deck. There are times I think maybe I am delusional or something- thinking what I do is really that important to Him and not just taking it easy and enjoying my empty nestdom in the midst of a crazy world. My husband would like me to do so. But I really feel that these times are different and my children and my husband as well as most of my family and friends are at stake. All I know is that His Grace is sufficient and His strength will be made perfect in My weakness!

 

Just a thought here - do I need to fear that somehow I may not possibly do enough to save the souls of my children/grandchildren? The thought is in the back of my mind. I offer every consecration at Mass for saving souls starting with those of my husband and children...

 

I do worry about that especially because I was pretty much in the world as I was raising them but then I remember that God really is in charge and He wants them in Heaven more than I do. I keep praying for the right messengers and for them to seek God so that they can find Him. I trust in Jesus!

 

For any worried parent - i listened to some talks on Kathy Sinnott's Celtic Connections radio program. They were great. I will attach the prayer details from the website http://www.seminarofhope.org/prayers/

if you get a chance listen to the programs that include Vernon Roberts.


EWTN Prayers

Download PDF version

Malachi 4:5-6
5“Behold, I will send you Eli'jah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 6And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a curse.”

Isaiah 43:5-7
5Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; 6I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

Isaiah 44:3-5
3For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. 4They shall spring up like grass amid waters, like willows by flowing streams. 5This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and surname himself by the name of Israel.”

Isaiah 49:24-25
24Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? 25Surely, thus says the LORD: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.

Isaiah 54:13
13All your sons shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your sons.

THEREFORE SUBMIT TO GOD

James 4:7
Pray: Lord Jesus I ask you to come into my heart and take over my life. Forgive me my sins. Deepen my relationship with your Holy Spirit and release in me all the gifts of your Holy Spirit, so that I may be the person that you called me to be and the Father may thereby be glorified.

RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU

James 4:7
Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, rebuke Satan in his activities in the lives of (family members). May Your Blood protect me (and my family members), so that the devil does not dare to come near me (and my family members), for Your Blood is our shield and the word of testimony that he is a defeated foe. Scripture tells us You came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). His works are destroyed. You, Lord, have disarmed Him. (Col. 2:15) Enable us to resist him in Your name and by Your Blood, loosing him from our hearts, minds and relationships.

FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO

Luke 23:34
Ask God to forgive you for what you have done or what you have failed to do as a parent, and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation if you have committed any grave sins in the process. Also ask Jesus to lead your children to repent for any sins they have committed against you or the Lord, and that they similarly receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for any grave sins they have committed in this regard.

Ephesians 1:7
Pray: Ephesians tells us that our children have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus. I pray that they come to repentance and re-appropriate that redemption through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In Jesus’ Name.

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:10-18

Pray: Lord Jesus, I come to you with my family and by faith I pray that you help clothe each one of us with truth around our waist, and the breastplate of righteousness; that we put on our feet the equipment of the gospel of peace and carry before us the shield of FAITHby which we extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one. And that we put on our heads the helmet of salvation and that the Word of God may be our sword. I praise you and thank you Jesus for this protection.

Ephesians 1:17-19

Pray: Father of Glory, I pray that you will give to me and my children, their spouses and all our loved ones and those that we carry in our hearts, a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST. (18) I pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened, so that we all may know what is the hope of HIS CALLING, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. In Jesus' Name, I pray.

Ephesians 3:16-21

Pray: Father of Glory, I pray for myself and my children, their spouses and all our lived ones and those whom we carry in our hearts, that out of your glorious riches you would strengthen me and them with power through your Spirit in their inner being, (17) so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. And I pray that in our being rooted and established in love, (18) we may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, (19) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (20) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us, (21) to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Philippians. 1:9-10

Pray: Father, I pray for myself and my children, their spouses and all our loved ones and those whom we carry in our hearts, that our love may abound more and more in real knowledge and discernment, and that they may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ. In Jesus' Name, I pray.

Colossians. 1:9-11

Pray: Father, I pray for myself and my children, their spouses and all our loved ones, that we will be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we all may walk in a manner worthy of you, Father, to be pleasing to you in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in knowledge of you, strengthened with all power, according to your glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience with joy. Father, I thank you.

Lord God, you have promised in your Word to pour out your Holy Spirit on my children and my descendants. My specific request Lord is that your Spirit will:

CONVICT my children of their sins,

CONVERT them to Jesus,

COMMIT them to your perfect will for their lives and

CONNECT them to the Church for faithful and fruitful service.

In Jesus' Name.

CLOSING PRAYER

Pray: Father, your word is true and I believe it. Therefore, in the name of Jesus, I believe in my heart and say with my mouth that the Word of God will prevail over my children. Father, I believe that you contend with him who contends with me, and you give safety to my children and ease them day-by-day. I confess that you give your angels special charge over my children, according to the 91st Psalm, to accompany and defend and preserve them. Thus, I ask you that no evil will befall them, no accident shall overtake them, nor shall any plague or calamity come near them, in Jesus' name. Father, I thank you for keeping my children’s feet from being caught in a trap or from a hidden danger. And I pray that, consistent with your word, they will be taught by you and therefore great will be their peace. I commit my children to your care and protection. You are my confidence, firm and strong, and I am persuaded that you are able to guard and keep those whom I have committed to you.

In Jesus' Name.

Amen.

2015-01-24

 

Mark Mallett's latest blog speaks of this thread.....
"What should be our response? Joy. Yes, how else do we counter the culture of despair but by being the face of hope, a light in the darkness. Let us be the locus point of the beauty and gift that life is. Let others look upon us, even in our suffering—the way the world looked upon St. John Paul II in the last stages of his Parkinson’s—and see that life, in all its seasons is a gift from God. Let us radiate from a deep personal relationship with Jesus the joy of being loved by Him, and then in turn, loving others. This is the “Gospel of Life” at its source.
Satan wishes to turn us into the Church of Despair as we face what is clearly a coming persecution. Freedom of religion is slipping away; belief in God is crumbling; and Catholicism is quickly becoming the number one enemy of the New World Order that is emerging. What glorious days these are! What a time to be alive because, as the darkness grows, the light of Christ in us is becoming brighter. I am seeing this in my concerts, how even the most simple truths are being drunk like a thirsty man at an oasis. Don’t be afraid to shout from the rooftops the glorious truths of our Catholic faith, first and foremost, that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
We are watching the final stages of a culture that is imploding. But at the same time, we are witnessing the birth pangs of a new era in Christ, heralded by the Woman. The dragon cannot destroy her. She belongs to God; she is both Mary and the Church… and we shall crush the serpent’s head". http://www.markmallett.com/blog/the-jaws-of-the-red-dragon/

 

PRAY>HOPE AND DON'T WORRY

 

I have used his quote before myself when addressing others - Pray, hope and don't worry. I sometimes forget to take my own advice..

 

I have found prayer to be a constant source of joy in my life. It is like a fountain never ending. Even in the very Darkest of Dark times it never goes.

Yesterday in work , it was Monday morning and everyone seemed so sad. I mentioned this to someone and she laughed and asked me what I expected on a Monday morning? But I think it was more than this a feeling of oppression that springs from people simply turning away from God and not praying. I find this especially striking in the many young people we have here. They kind of often, it seems to me shuffle about like sad ancient robots. I have been asked on several occasions by them why I am so happy. But with God there is joy, without Him there is nothing but unending death and despair. We do not have to wait for hell, hell kicks off here right now in the places were we work and live. Nor , if we pray do we have to wait for heaven our hearts already take wing.

I was walking across the hospital piazza a few months back and wondering about all the strangers I saw and passed and praying fro them as I often do. Poor souls many with bald heads from chemo. But the words of the Catechism came into my head , words very strict and too the point:

CCC #2744, "Prayer is a vital necessity. Proof from the contrary is no less convincing: if we do not allow the Spirit to lead us, we fall back into the slavery of sin. How can the Holy Spirit be our life if our heart is far from him? Nothing is equal to prayer; for what is impossible it makes possible, what is difficult, easy.... For it is impossible, utterly impossible, for the man who prays eagerly and invokes God ceaselessly ever to sin.Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly damned."

(This part of the Cathechism is a direct quote from St Alphonsus Ligouri)

...and as I looked at all these souls around the hospital it was borne upon me that most of them , the large majority do not in fact pray and are rushing through the business of their modern lives right down the Road to Hell.

But how can I write such a horrible thing, you may say? How can I know? Well I know because Mary herself told us this at Fatima. I can sense it from the conversation of those around me. It is the most natural thing in the world to talk about those we love. Thus a wife and mother will talk of her children, the secretaries here, for instance always have pictures of their family on their desks.

If then people love God and pray to Him then why do they never talk of Him of carry on their person any sign of that love?

Perhaps I am being too harsh , but for many , many people in the world around me I suspect the long listless , gray , boring sadness of unending hell has already begun for them. They were given a choice and the choice they have made was and is not to pray and not to turn to God.

But for we who do pray, we must not make the assumption that others somehow do. We are in a real war and this bog of despondancy into which those who fail to pray are deeply sunk laps always all around us. Of course this must have its own effect on us; for how could it not.

It reminds me of the sun in our hearts trying to shine through the gray mist all around us.
People are just not praying....



On July 13, 1917 the Blessed Virgin unveiled a terrifying reality before the three children's
eyes. Lucia recounts: "Our Lady showed us a great sea of fire, which seemed to be under
the earth. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls, in human form, like transparent
burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, floating about in this conflagration in
clouds of smoke, lifted by flames coming out of their bodies. They rose and fell on all
sides, like sparks in roaring fires, without weight or direction, amid shrieks and groans of
pain and despair that terrified us and made us tremble with fear. The demons could be
distinguished by their terrifying and repellent likeness to frightful and unknown animals,
black and transparent like burning coals. This vision lasted but a moment, thanks to our
good Mother from Heaven who had warned us beforehand, and promised to take us to
Heaven. Otherwise, I think we would have died of horror and fear. Then we raised our eyes
to Our Lady, who said with kindness and sadness: 'You have seen Hell, where the souls of
poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to My
Immacidate Heart. If people do what I am going to tell you, many souls will be saved and
there will be peace. ' "

Our Lady further said, "Pray, pray a great deal and make many sacrifices, for many souls
go to Hell because they have no one to make sacrifices and to pray for them. " (Fatima in
Lucia's Own Words)

 

I find it very hard to write about such things, but it is the simple truth. People are just not praying.

"The good Lord is allowing Himself to be appeased . . . but He Himself complains most bitterly and sorrowfully about the small number of souls in His grace who are willing to renounce whatever the observance of His laws requires of them."
"Many persons," Sr. Lucia explained, "feeling that the word penance implies great austerities, and not feeling that they have the strength for great sacrifices, become discouraged and continue a life of lukewarmness and sin." Then she said Our Lord explained to her: "The sacrifice required of every person is the fulfillment of his duties in life and the observance of My law. This is the penance that I now seek and require."

It was in this same spirit that the Angel spoke to the children in 1916: "Offer up everything in your power as a sacrifice to the Lord in reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners . . . More than all else, accept and bear with resignation the sufferings that God may send you."

http://www.rosary-center.org/fatimams.htm

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From Jesus:
When you are filled with joy - I Am
When you are filled with sorrow - I Am
When you are filled with peace - I Am
When you are filled with Love - I Am
I Am is with you!

May we remain in the peace of His Divine Will where all is Light in the darkness that surrounds us. Fiat!

 

brilliant advice. Since my recent lapse into despair ( it lasted only 2 days ) I have gone to Mass a couple of extra times in the week. Last week, being half term in the UK, I was able to go every day and I really felt the strength of it. it

 

Perfect answer....!

 

Live in His Will in every moment and all will be peace, happiness and joy.