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Offline orthonorm

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Smoking and more
« on: March 20, 2011, 06:00:36 AM »
Last cigarette was before Forgiveness Vespers.

Not smoking, for me at least, destroys my sleep for a while and fills my sleep with unfortunately vivid dreams. Been getting by with about 4-5 hour maybe a night.

Work coincidently, boomed the first day of Lent, so I've been working 12+ most days.

Thankfully, my parish has at least five services throughout the week or more each week during Lent. Otherwise, I dunno how solid my prayer practice would be at this point.

Toss in the fasting . . .

Pretty much entering a haze.

Nearly went out and grabbed a cigarette when after waking around 2:30 AM.

Your prayers would be appreciated. From other posts, or PMs you might know my real name. If you could place my name within your prayers, I would appreciate it.

Don't think smoking is a terrible sin per se, but it is a passion for me at least I know I'd like to shed again, God willing.

Thanks.


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Offline IsmiLiora

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2011, 01:19:21 PM »
Lord have mercy!

I hope that God will know who I mean if I use your user name.

My husband was a smoker as well, and its been a 3 year journey for him to quit completely. He only has me his accountability partner (not the most healthy thing when I'm living with him, but his friends and co-workers are enablers  :-\ ) and I've seen just a bit of how tough it is. Even once you get past the physical addiction, the psychological addiction, the feeling "I SHOULD be having a cigarette now" is difficult to break.

He still has those moments, like your 2:30 AM moment, once in a while.

Keep Him near and try to deepen your prayer life, which will at the very least, occupy more time in your day. If you have an accountability partner, that might help too. I know that this is easier said than done, and you probably know this, but as I say, "A Christian life is knowing what's right yet needing to hear it over and over again because we can't get it the first time."
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Offline JimCBrooklyn

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2011, 02:42:34 PM »
Lord, have mercy!

Also working on this one.
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It is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.
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Offline CBGardner

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2011, 04:19:37 PM »
Lord have mercy!

I quit about four months ago but ended up having my first cig since then last week. Afterward I felt so guilty. Satan really used my thought that I was over it against me. Thankfully there is a store by my house that sells singles so I don't have a whole pack sitting around. I pray you find some rest. It can be hard to fight the good fight when you feel so physically weak. Stay strong brother.
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Offline Altar Server

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2011, 04:50:00 PM »
Lord Have Mercy!
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Offline peteprint

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2011, 05:09:16 PM »
I am still struggling with smoking.  I have been a smoker now for 34 years and I am convinced that it is a sin.  Knowingly poisoning my body cannot be God's will.  I will remember your struggle in my prayers and would ask for your prayers as well.  I hate being a slave to these things.

In Christ,

Peter
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Offline Maria

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2011, 05:50:26 PM »
My prayers for the struggling smokers.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, have mercy and save.
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The memory of God should be treasured in our hearts like the precious pearl mentioned in the Holy Gospel. Our life's goal should be to nurture and contemplate God always within, and never let it depart, for this steadfastness will drive demons away from us. - Paraphrased from St. Philotheus of Sinai
Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart,
Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer, Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 printing.

Offline SolEX01

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2011, 06:02:16 PM »
Lord have Mercy.
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Offline serb1389

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2011, 08:10:23 PM »
I pray God gives you the strength to persevere.  Addictions are very hard to totally remove, as IsmiLiora said.  Just know that you are making a LIFE change, not just throwing something away.

May God grant you His Protection and may the Theotokos cover you with her protection. 
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Offline ag_vn

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2011, 10:39:24 AM »
Lord, have mercy!
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Offline quietmorning

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Re: Smoking and more
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2011, 10:46:29 AM »
Lord have mercy!

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In His Mercy,
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