I have made some changes recently in my life, and am still struggling to see the Lord. I have been in a dry spell for sometime now, and a little worried. I quite smoking for almost 2 years, and then started up about 1.5 years ago, and have been battling with it off and on since. I have quit numerous times during this time frame only to start up again within a month. I noticed when I was smoking, I wasn't seeing the Lord that much in my life. I saw glimpses here and there but it wasn't enough. As they say, one thing leads to another, and that is so true. I lost my zeal, I began giving into lustful thoughts a lot more, I began falling into mortal sin a lot more, etc. Now I have quit smoking again, and it has been almost 3 weeks this time. I think this time around I am gonna quit for good. I keep telling myself that this is not good enough, and I need to stop completely this time. if I decide to have that 1 cigarette then I know I will fall right back into smoking a pack a day. So I am making a huge push this time. I have noticed it is a little easier to resist lustful thoughts but I struggle a bit still. I will say I am doing a lot better, but the temptation is harder to resist than before. The way I am looking at all of this is that it was a big learning experience. We must avoid even the venial sins like smoking if we want to stay strong in the Faith. But I still have concern, and here is why. I feel like I am still in a dry spell, and I also feel like I am dealing with depression. I will say that I have accomplished some things over the past 6 months... I started running, I lost 30 pounds, etc. I am in the best shape of my life right now. Just the other day I ran 2 miles in 12:52. Even when I was in the Army I never did that well. But I am still feeling a bit depressed. I can't concentrate that well, and I'm just not the same mentally as I was over 2 years ago. As I have said in other threads, I have sensed that I have been being cyberstalked. This has certainly caused me a lot of anger. I have been dealing with a lot of anger for some time now because of my perceived cyberstalking. It gives me the sense that I am not in control of myself, and when I feel like I am not in control of myself I start feeling weak and helpless. I think that is what I am missing is that sense of manhood or personal power. I need that again. Through this dry spell....I have been praying the rosary a lot more often, and lately I have been reading the Bible. But I am still not experiencing the graces of the Lord like I used to. Anyways, I was hoping that maybe someone had some advice on this. A prayer would be nice as well. I just want to be strong in my belief, and experience the Lord in my life like I did some time ago. I want that back.

 :dancing-banana:
Be sure to distinguish between your feelings and what you know is true.  If you're doing as you should, then you may sidetrack your feelings in the certain knowledge that you are in God's Grace.  Constantly depressed feelings that interfere with your ability to function can have a physical cause.  How is your health?  Do you eat right?  Exercise?  Get sufficient sleep?  Try natural remedies before medical.  If you still feel badly, speak with a priest.

I don't know your age, but men go through loss of hormones and need, NEED! what I refer to as B complex shots.  A shot a month or every two weeks.  Ask a pharmacist or your doctor and buy in bulk and administer it to yourself as needed.  It will help mellow you out and be able to serve the Lord better.  DON'T Put it off.  It is so much easier to take a small shot, syringes are small, then to take pills every day.  As a woman of 61 and watching my husband hit this man (men) opause at age 50-53.  BUt for those who smoke, they get hit sooner and if they continue to smoke they need shots every 2 weeks or as needed.  I agree that all the prayers are needed, but this can not be overlooked.  Some men take pride to say, I don't need this or I am not losing hormones, but it is better to take the shot and see for yourself.

I ... am still struggling to see the Lord. I have been in a dry spell for sometime now, and a little worried.

 The way I am looking at all of this is that it was a big learning experience. We must avoid even the venial sins like smoking if we want to stay strong in the Faith. But I still have concern, and here is why. I feel like I am still in a dry spell, and I also feel like I am dealing with depression.

I will say that I have accomplished some things over the past 6 months... I started running, I lost 30 pounds, etc. I am in the best shape of my life right now. Just the other day I ran 2 miles in 12:52. Even when I was in the Army I never did that well. But I am still feeling a bit depressed. I can't concentrate that well, and I'm just not the same mentally as I was over 2 years ago.

Through this dry spell....I have been praying the rosary a lot more often, and lately I have been reading the Bible. But I am still not experiencing the graces of the Lord like I used to. Anyways, I was hoping that maybe someone had some advice on this. A prayer would be nice as well. I just want to be strong in my belief, and experience the Lord in my life like I did some time ago. I want that back.

The recurring theme is dryness, not feeling good about yourself and your progress. I will remember you in my prayers, IF.

Remember however that dryness is part of your spiritual growth. It's a test you must pass. Keep up the rosaries, and reading the scriptures.  Don't be put off reading it. It is the best pre-Vatican reading you can find. Also whatever other spiritual reading you can find from pre-Vat2. Ask a good traditional priest to recommend what would help you. Lives of the Saints, esp those who converted from wayward lives, eg St Camillus de Lellis comes to mind , but there are many others.