Does anyone feel like there’s too much evil?

[Matthew54]

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been too online lately, but I feel like I’m choking on evil. The horrifically violent things that are happening to women and children every day seem to be worsening. It’s like there’s been a fundamental rip in the social fabric that’s causing the decay of the soul.

I am finding it hard to discern the light in the darkness. I believe in a Christ that suffers with us, and I believe that we have the choice to be good, but it’s hard to hold onto that when so much wrong is happening.

[DeanElderberry]

It has felt like that so often down the millennia. This last year has been particularly hard.

I'd suggest - start going to church weekly. I don't know what your chosen denomination would be, but if you go to mass you'll hear the same Scriptures that every other Catholic across the globe is hearing this week - rich people in America, poor people in rural Africa, exhausted people in the church in Gaza. This week they're about the power of Scripture and about the forgiveness of sin.

Being with other people who are as appalled as you are by the horrors of the world brings its own strength. A time to sit quietly is also powerful.

Also, start a little routine of prayer - the Our Father, maybe the prayer to your guardian angel, anything else that hits the spot. The prayer to St Michael was designed as a defence against evil. I started during Covid saying about three minutes worth of prayer last thing at night and first thing in the morning and it got me through that scary time.

And read some scripture yourself - maybe one of the Gospels, or some of the Epistles.

And be kind to yourself - remember that 'love your neighbour as yourself' means you have to start by loving yourself.

[DeanElderberry]

PS, I'll remember you in my prayers. You are not alone.

[heyhohello]

Yes, it's been the same throughout history. But I suggest taking a break from it. Not to be callous but rather to appreciate the good in life too. Because Christ is alive! So look for Him! And go about doing good, letting Him manifest in and through you. That can cheer you up. 🙂

[heyhohello]

And work to not get overwhelmed. Teeny tiny acts of kindness can mean so much. Can really make a difference.

[Matthew54]

I’m Catholic. I’ve been reading the Beatitudes and focusing on “blessed are those who mourn” and what it means.

I sobbed last night. A little girl in Ohio died under brutal circumstances, and she cried for her mother who abandoned her until she couldn’t anymore. It’s hard for me to see the light when there is so much dark.

I think of all the children who have suffered and are suffering and I wonder where He is.

[DeanElderberry]

Yes @heyhohello, appreciating the good is really important. My first prayer each morning is from the psalm we say at Easter - This is the day the Lord has made, we rejoice and are glad. Some days it seems more obviously true than others, but it always is true.

My first prayer of the evening is the old Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner - kind of the spiritual equivalent of brushing my teeth.

[heyhohello]

Maybe have a break from the news? For you to be of any help you need to be able to move, not simply be stuck grieving. I know when I had cancer I actively avoided anyone who was too grief stricken with my circumstances. I needed to in order to heal. In order to then be able to be of help to others. So take a break from the news and look towards positive moves which help.

[DeanElderberry]

He's with that child. The only thing you can do for her is say a prayer for the repose of her soul. Is there something you could do for other children - even just a donation to a welfare charity?

Our Parish Priest decided to ask for Easter Egg donations for a domestic violence shelter for women and children. Three tiny rural communities between them managed to donate more than 600 eggs - not the healthiest thing in the world, but a gesture of support.

[Matthew54]

I think that’s a good idea, to both take a break and think about what I can do that’s additive.

When I was at uni, I used to put together Halloween trick or treat bags for kids who couldn’t go trick or treating in Cleveland because it was too dangerous. I can ask my church if they do anything that helps kids.

[DeanElderberry]

After Christmas the same man asked the same three small rural churches for toys for the shelter - he not only got a huge quantity, many new or nearly new, he also got some unexpected but very welcome 'pampering' packs for the mothers. People want to help, and will if given a way.

[Thegreatestoftheseislove]

@Matthew54 from a Christian perspective it's been the same since Satan first tempted Adam and Eve. We live in an increasingly fallen world and we know from the Bible it will continue that way until Christ returns. I cry most days for those who have experienced (hu)man's evil deeds, but realise my tears solve nothing - all I have is prayer and any attempt I can do in my tiny part of the world to make things as good as I can. We are told to be a light in the darkness, to be living stones and to love. We are told to trust in God that in the end, all will be well and he who would be ruler of this world will not prevail.

[Pantaloons99]

I'm not religious at all, I am atheist. But I really enjoy philosophising so hope I'm welcome on the group. I thought the post was interesting as I feel this alot

I don't ever watch the news. It feeds into my feelings that the world is evil. I love true crime and non fiction but the more you learn about awful things, the worse ones perspective can become.

I think the word is full of absolute evil but also lovely things. I feel my state of mind impacts my feelings immensely. I'm struggling with very severe worsening health which is making life almost impossible. The worse this gets the more I feel the world is horrible. So alot of this is possibly determined by perspective. 🙂

[coastalhawk]

I feel this too sometimes. We are shown the worst of humanity constantly - on the news and series and films, so many of which are about violence and suffering. There is so much good out there totally unsung. I follow outlets such as Positive News and try to limit the news cycle (and instead go for articles/ written analysis). Hope you feel less bleak soon OP, but it's not surprising considering things.

[pointythings]

I'm also an atheist and I agree the world is a very tough place right now. All we can do as individuals is to make what differences we can - by giving what we can, offering support where we see suffering, standing for what we believe in. Taking a break from the news is healthy, as is focusing on the good things that every day does still bring. Every time you make a nice cuppa for a stressed out colleague at work, every time someone compliments you on how nice you're looking today, every time your child comes home with a new skill - those things really matter. Don't lose sight of them.