Everyone Has Problems and Needs. What Are Yours?
As a Man, you are a natural problem solver.
So, where do you go to find answers?
Do you study the real problem, or only blame the symptoms?
Symptoms like: Can’t find a woman to marry, wife won’t agree, kids don’t want to listen, inadequacy or depression, too many bad habits, and the worst symptom of all, don’t know what God wants of me.
Usually Men blame the situation rather than take ownership when the matter falls short.
I have RARELY heard a Man say to me, “Frank, it didn’t work out, and it was all my fault”.
Many times all it takes to solve a problem or work through an issue is to share it with like-minded Men who you can trust to have your best interest at heart. The bad decisions you make sometimes are because of the (Men) outside influences you keep. Life is like a trash can. The trash you put inside of you comes out of you in the form of your words and actions.
Encouragement from a parish small men’s group, or just a devout Catholic Man, can make the difference with the challenges you face in the workplace and at home everyday. My rule is if my circle of friends is not leading me to Jesus and to Heaven, then they’re pulling me apart.
When problems seem to be out of control, usually Men will indicate going to a shrink, before they go to confession. There is a place for counsel, whether it be a psychologist, a spiritual director, or a workshop. However, confession, and making yourself right with God, many times can be the baby-steps that sets you in the direction of real positive change.
Your relationship with God is the ‘pebble in the pond’ that has a ripple effect on your positive connections with others and the world around you.
One small step that many Men who are friends of CMCS practice is “A Man’s Prayer”. They pray this everyday, and it has over time set the tone for their outlook on life as a Man and as a Catholic. If you don’t have this prayer card contact us. We can also send you a stack for you to hand-out to other men in your neighborhood or parish, or give to your pastor to place them in back of church.
Daily prayer changes things, from your heart, to your family, and into your community. You will also see God better use you to answer your prayers, and the prayers of others too.
Do you need a money miracle? How do you react to pornography? Is your wife your ‘enemy’, or the other way around? Do you have trouble getting to Sunday Mass, or getting your wife or family to go with you? Are you having an affair – with a person who is not your wife, your computer, sports, booze, or some other vice – that keeps you from your relationship with God and / or your wife? Do your kids spend too much time texting their friends … at the dinner table? Know that you can turn to CMCS!
Talk with us when you are looking for a remedy and have nowhere else to turn. Prayer in numbers is a powerful thing for change ….. to first change us ….. and then our circumstances.
It’s all about helping each other make it through life.
Speak your mind below or share this blog post with a friend.
Frank J Casella, CMCS-Director
(CMCS Archives 2012)
Catholic Chicago Men 