Author Topic: Needing Some Prayers (Read 2130 times)

InfiniteFaith · « **on:** October 02, 2014, 11:06:33 PM »

First I want to say that every time I have come here and mentioned something that I have been dealing with...I end up sensing grace shortly after. I think maybe people pray for me on this site. Not sure who it is, but that might explain why I experience some level of grace at times.

Anyways, I started smoking again about 3 weeks ago, and I want to quit again. I plan on quitting tomorrow. I am hoping someone will pray for me so that I may obtain the grace to do so.

Lets hope this works.

poche · « **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2014, 11:32:13 PM »

AMDG

PerEvangelicaDicta · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2014, 12:02:41 AM »

I often pray for you IF and will continue.
I admire that you are not discouraged that you fell back into the habit, and will quit again.

There is an argument that it's not tobacco that's bad for your health, but the very toxic additives. Have you looked into organic tobacco?

holysoulsacademy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2014, 12:31:23 AM »

+AMDG+

Acupuncture, cupping & diet change has helped my husband.
Will keep you in our prayers.

Pax Christi!

BTNYC · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2014, 07:53:37 AM »

Diet change is morally neutral, but acupuncture and "cupping" are diabolic Chinese pagan mummery and I strongly suggest you disregard that terrible and scandalous advice.

Pray and fast and find some simple mortification (pebble in your shoe, eat one thing you dislike with every meal, take a cold shower, etc). Once you've mortified yourself to the point that you can do without legitimate pleasures (and smoking, while unhealthy, is a legitimate pleasure) you will be better equipped to face temptation to illicit and evil pleasures (of the kind you described in your recent post).

Of course the rosary is a great help too. Immeasurably better than mutilating your flesh with needles and heated cups in order to manipulate your "chi energy."

Kyrie eleison.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2014, 08:10:50 AM »

I battled with smoking on and off for years. But I finally found something that worked.

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES

Addiction to cigarettes isn't just about the nicotine. There are all sorts of psychological triggers. There's something about picking up the electronic cigarette, holding it like a real one, puffing on it, etc. that satisfies the craving when you're most tempted. It's not a 100% replacement, but for some reason it's always enough to get me through the serious temptation. Plus it eases the nicotine withdrawal symptoms (irritability, etc.) that come along with quitting cold turkey. Then I find it very easy to ease back on and quit the electronics later.

InfiniteFaith · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2014, 10:55:02 AM »

Quote from: Ladislaus

I battled with smoking on and off for years. But I finally found something that worked.

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES

Addiction to cigarettes isn't just about the nicotine. There are all sorts of psychological triggers. There's something about picking up the electronic cigarette, holding it like a real one, puffing on it, etc. that satisfies the craving when you're most tempted. It's not a 100% replacement, but for some reason it's always enough to get me through the serious temptation. Plus it eases the nicotine withdrawal symptoms (irritability, etc.) that come along with quitting cold turkey. Then I find it very easy to ease back on and quit the electronics later.

Yeah I also see how nicotine is not the only factor in addiction. It seems like the thril of having a cigarette is a major player as well.

I quit for almost 2 years at one point, then I have been battling on and off over the last 2 years. I have quit for long periods of time over that 2 year span. But I give in one day and it leads to a lot more days.

Disputaciones · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2014, 03:21:13 PM »

Quote from: BTNYC

...smoking, while unhealthy, is a legitimate pleasure...

Where did you get this?

BTNYC · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2014, 03:29:51 PM »

Quote from: Disputaciones

Quote from: BTNYC
...smoking, while unhealthy, is a legitimate pleasure...

Where did you get this?

From the fact that the Church has never condemned smoking. Like drinking, it is a perfectly legitimate pleasure when done in moderation.

Pope St. Pius X was said to be a cigar smoker.

Disputaciones · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2014, 03:45:36 PM »

Quote from: BTNYC

Quote from: Disputaciones
Quote from: BTNYC
...smoking, while unhealthy, is a legitimate pleasure...

Where did you get this?

From the fact that the Church has never condemned smoking. Like drinking, it is a perfectly legitimate pleasure when done in moderation.

And how much is "in moderation"?

Quote from: BTNYC

Pope St. Pius X was said to be a cigar smoker.

What type?

Also, is there a list of legitimate pleasures somewhere?

Disputaciones · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2014, 04:51:43 PM »

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

...I end up sensing grace shortly after...I experience some level of grace at times.

What is this "sensing" and "experiencing" of grace you're talking about? You mean like a warm, fuzzy feeling around your heart and stomach?

BTNYC · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2014, 05:26:27 PM »

Quote from: Disputaciones

And how much is "in moderation"?

Well, how many slices of pizza before it becomes gluttony? I think two slices is in moderation for a man my size, but if my young son were to ask for two, I'd know he was being gluttonous.

The answer to your question varies by person.

In all things we must practice temperance and moderation. Ask your spiritual director how much is "in moderation" for you.

Quote from: Disputaciones

Quote from: BTNYC
Pope St. Pius X was said to be a cigar smoker.

What type?

No idea. I've been to Vatican City, but I don't recall seeing any branded cigar bands lying about when I was there. Then again, that was 93 years after his death, so they were probably swept up at some point.

Quote from: Disputaciones

Also, is there a list of legitimate pleasures somewhere?

Not that I know of... That's where a good spiritual director and a well-formed Catholic conscience come in handy.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #12 on:** October 03, 2014, 05:27:47 PM »

I agree that smoking is not inherently sinful. It could be sinful based upon its adverse health effects, but there's a strong case to be made that these effects are due to the toxic additives in most modern cigarettes.

InfiniteFaith · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2014, 05:39:48 PM »

Quote from: Disputaciones

Quote from: InfiniteFaith
...I end up sensing grace shortly after...I experience some level of grace at times.

What is this "sensing" and "experiencing" of grace you're talking about? You mean like a warm, fuzzy feeling around your heart and stomach?

God's love. Enlightenment. Those sorts of things. Its a consoling feeling.

I think I experience this most when I please the Lord by doing something virtuous or reject temptation. Also, there are times when I receive the Eucharist or when someone prays for me that I experience this.

I am sure you have seen pictures of Jesus Christ, Mary, and Saints where they have the nimbus surrounding their head. If you are in a state of enlightenment then you would understand the meaning of that.

Disputaciones · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2014, 06:08:48 PM »

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

God's love. Enlightenment. Those sorts of things. Its a consoling feeling.

I think I experience this most when I please the Lord by doing something virtuous or reject temptation. Also, there are times when I receive the Eucharist or when someone prays for me that I experience this.

I am sure you have seen pictures of Jesus Christ, Mary, and Saints where they have the nimbus surrounding their head. If you are in a state of enlightenment then you would understand the meaning of that.

You're not being very precise.

Give me an actual example of yourself.

And what is a state of enlightenment, and how would you know you are in such a state?