3 Reasons You Still Feel Bad After Confession

We know this: when we go to the sacrament of reconciliation with a truly contrite heart and receive absolution, we are forgiven of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. So, if you've ever left the confessional still feeling bad, you might wonder... "What gives?"

Today, Fr. Mike identifies 3 reasons why we might be experiencing a lingering feeling of guilt after confession, and he gives us a bit of advice to deal with those feelings.

1. "I'm forgiven, but I still have to deal with the consequences."
2. "Someone else knows what I did."
3. "I've broken God's heart."

Finally, Fr. Mike reveals the source of these lingering regrets. The solution is deceptively simple.

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[deb]

Sometimes I feel guilty still or I think I forgot something so I say "and for all the sins I might have forgotten, I am deeply sorry".

[Aerykian]

"Do not be a harsher judge of yourself than Jesus is" ...
Thank you so much, you have no idea how much I needed to hear this

[timpy]

I struggle with OCD/Scrupulosity and sometimes I go away still feeling bad because a few moments after Confession I remember a sin, or think I've sinned, or think a thought that feels sinful, etc. It's not linear healing, but Im working on truly putting my trust in God 🙏

[spidermiddleagedman]

Finally someone addresses my current problem

[davec]

Fulton Sheen stated, "Unless we put God between ourselves and our previous life, we cannot hope to make real spiritual progress". My Lord Jesus, please place yourself between my sins and me.

[judyankuta]

Jesus loves us more than we love ourselves. ❤️🙏🏻

[AlessandroVAngioy]

The story about the monk and the feathers is an acutal anecdote about the life of Saint Philip Neri 😊
The guy was a genius reguarding Confession and penance.

[imamorninglory]

It’s been only recently that I cry after I’m done with my confession. In fact, I was crying silently but hard enough for someone to notice and they asked if they could help in some way. I Thanked her but really started to analyze Why I was crying after confession. I think it’s because I know Jesus died for my Sins to be Forgiven and Loves Me Always and so I’m genuinely Sorry to have disappointed Him And I’m sincerely Grateful to be Forgiven. Perhaps it’s also a sense of Relief! The emotions felt Before and After Confession can be Really Complicated and not so cut and dry, I think. Love and Prayers Always ♥️

[Bigchilezlife]

1st! Happens to me all the time 😔💔 but I do trust in God’s mercy. And he loves you all.

[maryfisher]

Wow. Thank you. I expected myself to be a good catholic . Was raised that way. So I am being proudful. I need to be humble. I really needed to hear this.

[nicoleyoshihara]

I needed this. I deal with scrouplosity and anxiety. Thank you Fr. Mike!

[ruth]

You have no idea how much I needed to hear this. God bless you Father Schmitz.

[donnarickman]

Thank you Father for explaining confession, & forgiveness in a way that isn't usually done. This is so helpful. ✝️

[CWfNv]

This is just what I needed to hear, thank you, Fr MIke. I need to let go, and let God. Sometimes, I judge myself too harshly. Just need to thank God for His mercy and pray to be better. God Bless and thank you for your instruction.

[lorettbrennan]

It's my Catholic guilt father❤ it takes a lot to get over that kind of Lifetime conditioning❤❤❤

[Fonsemania]

9:15 -THIS....Pride...my goodness...My biggest sin...Father Mike ..I thank you for you for this! Please continue to evangelise.God Bless

[mikekrauss]

Should we not feel bad about our past sins? I have found relief in realizing that I should feel regret and shame over my past sins. This sorrow over past sins is a gift from God, a gift of His infinite love and grace, reminding me to not make these sins again, that I am a miserable sinner, and that I need to be constantly penitent. I now welcome this pain and sorrow because I know it is the Holy Spirit working in my heart, nudging me closer to the Heavenly Kingdom.

[suziepeck]

About a month ago after confession a priest told me that you may still feel guilty afterwards because the enemy is always at work in us and tries to bring us down. The priest told me to just put it out of my head and remind myself that I am forgiven.

[marybailey]

This is so common for me. I am disappointed in myself for anything I have done to let God down. I can’t get passed the ones that are so unlike me and I failed myself too. Sometimes I feel the recurring sadness is my additional punishment 🙏🏻🥺🙏🏻

[san.bonani]

Thank you so much Father! This is exactly what I needed to hear today! "Do not be a harsher judge of yourself than Jesus is." This 3rd part is such a blessing for my soul right now. So, thank you!