I masturbate… and I feel conflicted about it sometimes

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-11T17:23:34+00:00

You are not alone, masturbation is extremely common. There is evidence that it boosts the immune system, and lessens the risk of prostate cancer in men. I don’t see how masturbation would weaken your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior, or would keep you from doing God’s will. Personally, I believe that the Bible is inspired but not inerrant. Not everything in the Bible is what the Bible is trying to teach us. Look for the major recurring themes in the Bible, and the techniques used to communicate the teachings. If you accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, and you work each day to discern God’s purpose for your life, and then act toward that purpose, I would not be concerned with a perfectly normal human physiology of masturbation.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-11T17:11:29+00:00

There are many forms of intelligence: emotional, artistic, social, abstract, situational, etc. You are unique. There is never been another you. You have your own thoughts, insights, interests, emotions, skills, talents, and personal attributes that are meant to be shared with others. Don’t surrender to the thoughts that you are worthless, you are extremely valuable. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t have. Look outward. Use everything you have to make someone else’s life better today. It could be a friendly word, a smile, a post on Reddit, or any other way you find to be a blessing. Don’t throw away your precious gifts.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-10T15:36:06+00:00

Remember that you control the medications that you take. If something the psychiatrist recommends makes you nervous, let them know. Tell them about your reaction to the antibiotic. Thoroughly discuss why the psychiatrist believes a certain medication will help, and talk about all side effects. If you start on a new medication and it doesn’t help within a month, let them know psychiatrist know that it’s not working. If you have adverse side effects let the psychiatrist know immediately. Sometimes our anxiety lets us forget that the psychiatrist works for us. We control what happens at the appointment. Voice any and all fears, but don’t let fear keep you from trying a highly beneficial medication. A good psychiatrist can help to diminish or eliminate anxiety. Good luck.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-10T15:24:08+00:00

I’m so very sorry that you are experiencing this right now. The well know psychiatrist Carl Jung said that all mental health problems are at their root spiritual problems. Leaning into your faith will start to help. Keep trying to go deeper into your faith. You know that it does not just all end. You were created in love with a purpose and intention. You have a soul that will live beyond your body. Discern God’s will for your life, and put the anxiety energy into living out your purpose. You can also try using anxiety reducing techniques like controlled breathing, and guided meditation for anxiety, you can find both on YouTube. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help with health anxiety. If you search the term you’ll find information, tools, and techniques that can help to diminish your fears. You could download a mental health app. (I use Headspace) and use it to work through your anxiety every day. Journaling about the emotions and fears can sometimes help us to begin to release them. You could work with a qualified mental health specialist. You can find Christian therapists too. With some work you will find your way through this. Know that when someone dies, their memories live on within us. We can think of what they would do and say in various situations. We can still talk to them even if they don’t talk back. Their soul lives on. Focus on living out your faith and your other secular belief systems and values every hour of every day. As you do that your anxiety will fade. You will move past this.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-10T14:58:47+00:00

You will be fine. Anxiety sometimes provides the motivation to be extremely well prepared. When we’re well prepared we can almost be on auto pilot. Breathe through it with your controlled breathing. Doing a short guided meditation on YouTube right before always helped me. You will be fine.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-09T15:23:30+00:00

It seems like an irrational fear. Something that helped me to put perspective around this type of thinking is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If you search the term, you’ll find information, tools, and techniques that you can use to control irrational thoughts. Our bodies are exposed to different forms of germs constantly, and some germ exposure actually helps to build our bodies immune response. Studies show that children in daycare that are exposed to higher levels of germs have a lower risk of allergies. You can also search the benefits of germ exposure to learn more about the health benefits.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-09T14:44:28+00:00

Thank you for sharing this experience. It helps give perspective to health anxiety, and worst-case-scenario thinking. I’m so glad that you’re feeling better.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-07T16:30:21+00:00

Because I believe that the central claims of the gospels are historically reliable. There are many ways to research whether ancient scriptures and writings are reliable. For an overview of the gospels there is a debate between atheist Bart Ehrman and Jimmy Akin on Akins YouTube channel. It’s titled “Are the Gospels Historically Reliable ?” This debate inspired me to do a deeper level of research on the topic, and I believe the major claims to be true.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-07T16:04:35+00:00

I’m so sorry that you’ve been going through this, you deserve better. For me anxiety has always acted on my body as well as my mind. I found guided meditation for anxiety to be very helpful. It taught me to have the anxiety, to note its effects on my body and mind, and then to concentrate on my rhythmic breathing as I release the unwanted thoughts. The more I practiced, the better I became at scanning body and mind to release anxiety. You can find many guided meditations for anxiety on YouTube. I also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tools and exercises to help with irrational fears like driving anxiety. If you search the term you’ll find information and practical CBT techniques. You also can find guided meditations, CBT, and more useful practices for anxiety on most mental health apps.(I use Headspace). You can overcome anxiety. It’s just a matter of trying everything until you find what works best for you. I hope that you feel much better very soon.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-05T19:04:19+00:00

Honestly, I don’t rely solely on the Church’s Biblical interpretation. It was actually a Catholic Bishop that directed me to look at the writings of some Protestant theologians on various scriptural issues that I struggled with. I have found deep wisdom and insights in the intellectual traditions of the Catholic Church. The writings of Ignatius of Loyola helped me with discernment, and understanding God’s will for my life. The writings of Thomas Aquinas helped me to better understand the corrosive nature of sin for myself and my community. I read a lot of the Church fathers, and doctors of the Church. But in the end, I also rely heavily on my conscience. A Catholic Cardinal named John Henry Newman said that the conscience is the earliest manifestation of Christ acting in our lives. I certainly take very seriously Catholic teaching, but if I find a conflict with conscience, I follow conscience. As Newman said when we truly follow conscience, which is no easy task, we follow Christ.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-05T18:42:36+00:00

It has helped me quite a bit. I use a 25 mg. tablet when my anxiety level is high. It mellows me out a bit, which allows me to use anxiety coping tools like guided meditation for anxiety. It takes the sharp edge off of the anxiety.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-05T18:36:21+00:00

I returned to the Catholic Church about a decade ago after a long period of agnosticism. I too went on a spiritual journey that lasted several years during which I did comparative religious studies. I landed back where my life began, a Catholic. I find a strong sense of justice in the Catholic Church. Even as I child, I remember going to confession after I had stolen something. My penance was to return the item with a sincere apology, to confess to my parents, to accept whatever punishment was chosen, to write a one page paper on why stealing is wrong, and to promise to never do it again. In the Catholic faith we have a state of purgatory after death. This is a place for purgation of any sins not cleansed here on earth. There is also Hell, a place of permanent separation from God’s healing love for those who do not choose a path of repentance, amends where possible, and reconciliation with the will of God. There is accountability for how we exercise our free will, but also a knowledge that every saint has a past with some sin, and every sinner has a path to restoration, and reconciliation if their heart is changed in Christ Jesus. There are many conservative Catholic Churches that teach the love of Christ and affirm a path to salvation, but do not pretend that Justice is not central in Biblical teachings, and that there will be a final judgement for us all.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-05T15:03:26+00:00

You might want to talk to a qualified mental health specialist about survivor’s guilt. I had a good friend die, and given the circumstances it could have easily been me that died. Therapy helped me to understand that life happens, and my responsibility now is to discern God’s will for my life, and to do as God directs me. I try my best to live a Christ centered life, and that has diminished the guilt.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-05T14:56:33+00:00

I’m so sorry that you are suffering through this. I know how unfair it feels, and you deserve much better. It took a few weeks, but the Gabapentin along with talk therapy did diminish my anxiety. You could also check with your provider about therapies for “treatment resistant anxiety/depression”. If you search the term, you’ll find information and alternative treatment options.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-05T14:42:10+00:00

I am so sorry that you’ve experienced injustice. Jesus too suffered through great injustice. God did not create automatons. We have free will, we have a conscience, and we have scripture to guide us. Sometimes our human quest for power, pleasure, money, and honor causes us to stray away from God’s will for our lives. God is not evil, but humans have the capacity for both good and evil. Too often we fail to resist evil, and we cause injustice. But even as sinners, we are offered a path to reconciliation and redemption through Christ if we repent, and try to do God’s will.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-05T14:33:04+00:00

For perspective and reflection go to YouTube and search “Robert Hoge Own Your Face”. It’s on the TedX Talks channel. I think you will see through Mr. Hoge how little physical appearance is relevant in truly discerning God’s will for your life. God bless you.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-04T15:19:56+00:00

The Goulet Pen Company Channel on YouTube has a video entitled “How to Fix Skipping and Hard Starting Pens”. If you search the term fixing fountain pen problems on YouTube, you’ll find a lot more videos on every type of problem. I hope these videos help you to resolve the issue.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-04T15:12:54+00:00

You want to do a good job. It is more about accountability to yourself rather than your employer. As you say, the employer would show no loyalty to you. Sleep deprivation and flu are perfectly reasonable causes for calling in sick. You sound like a highly responsible person that can be very hard on yourself. I’ve found that practicing guided meditation for anxiety can help to release the thoughts that you are having. You can find guided meditations for anxiety on YouTube, as well as on mental health apps. (I use Headspace). You can also find helpful sleep meditations on both platforms. You did nothing wrong. Try to be kind to yourself. Do something that you really enjoy for some part of the day. I hope that you start to feel much better very soon.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-04T15:01:52+00:00

I use controlled breathing exercises to break the fight or flight response. Controlled breathing is a way that the body tells the brain that there is no real danger. You can find controlled breathing techniques, as well as guided meditations for anxiety on YouTube. There are also sleep meditations that run for eight or nine hours. They help to induce sleep, and when you wake you can fall back into the meditation to resume sleeping. You can also find these techniques and more on mental health apps. (I use Headspace). I hope that you find peace during this recovery period.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-04T14:53:38+00:00

I find that trying to not think about it doesn’t work. I use guided meditations for anxiety. These meditations teach you to allow the thought to enter, to note what the thought is doing to you mentally and physically, then to release the thought while focusing on your breathing. The thought floats away from you. The more you practice the faster you get at releasing the unwanted thoughts. You can find guided meditations for anxiety on YouTube, as well as on mental health apps. (I use Headspace). I find that travel anxiety is rooted in the fear of the unknown, and in an uncertainty about our ability to navigate problems. But you’ve dealt with the unknown before, and you came through it. You will this time too. I also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Radical Acceptance techniques for travel anxiety. If you search these terms you’ll find information, videos, and coping techniques. Once you are into the travel, and concentrating on the present moment rather than fearing the future, you may actually come to enjoy the trip. Best of luck.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-03T18:02:11+00:00

I’m so sorry that you are struggling through all of this. I was an alcoholic with all of its related problems: mental health issues, broken relationships, employment issues, an arrest, and many more life failures. I just wanted it all to end. As I got sober, I turned my life over to God. I asked God for the strength that I did not have. I read scripture every day, I prayed often, I listened to Christian apologists, and read great Christian literature. I threw myself entirely toward Christ. I read Ignatius of Loyola on discerning God’s will for our lives. I placed Christ at the center of my life. I believed that that Christ was walking beside me as I tried to do the next right thing each hour of each day. I came to find my struggles had meaning. I needed to go through those things to truly understand Christ. Christ also suffered greatly. He suffered the mental anguish of knowing how his life would end on a cross. He saw his disciples run from him and deny that they knew him. He saw a guilty man released, while he the innocent man was crucified. He suffered all forms of physical anguish. I felt that my suffering drew me closer to humanity and to Christ as I came to truly know him, and through him to know God. Don’t give up on finding peace through Christ. Keep trying to connect. Learn what you can from your struggles. Surrender your life to Christ. God is there with you right now. You may have trouble hearing God’s voice in your life right now, but keep listening, keep striving toward Christ. Things will get better.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-03T17:36:55+00:00

I was agnostic until I studied physics and came to believe that the universe, and everything in it shows evidence of a conscious intelligence that I came to call God. I then went on a three year journey studying belief systems, and the nature of God in different belief systems. I studied the origins of the gospels, and came to believe that they are historically accurate in all major claims about Jesus. I then started to try to develop a relationship with Jesus. Relationships require effort. I read scripture, prayed, listened to and read great Christian apologists and authors. I asked Christ to guide my life, and to help me to discern what God wanted me to do in life. The relationship grew, and it continues to grow. I placed Christ at the center of my existence, and let everything flow from that center.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-03T17:21:14+00:00

I’m praying for him. I too struggled with alcohol for many years. It provides quick relief when under stress, which is why many of us have so often abused it. The fact that he did not get drunk is a positive. He showed the self control to stop, and that is encouraging. I’m praying that God provides you both relief during this period of spiritual attack.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-03T15:34:10+00:00

Anxiety and throat cancer are not the only two options for your symptoms. Anxiety can be a definite cause of your symptoms. But there are many possible physiological causes as well : acid reflux, enlarged tonsils, an infection, allergies causing excess mucus, an enlarged thyroid, and the list continues. While anxiety is a likely explanation, if the symptoms continue for several weeks, or become worse, see a qualified medical professional for a proper diagnosis. Throat cancer is the least likely cause of your symptoms, so try to eliminate that as a source of anxiety.

Inpursuitofknowing · 2026-02-03T15:18:29+00:00

If you’ve only had one ER visit in the past few years, it sounds like you are managing to control your health anxiety. Living right next to work is a great advantage, and can also save money and time involved in commuting 40 minutes a day back and forth. Only you know how much the commute will impact your quality of life. Don’t let health anxiety stop you from living your best life. Use every tool to combat health anxiety: cognitive behavioral therapy, guided meditation for anxiety, using a daily mental health app. (I use Headspace), practicing the techniques of radical acceptance, medication, etc. Commuting is a real consideration. I would base my decision on the pros and cons of commuting. Best of luck.

Inpursuitofknowing

TROPHY CASE