Monsignor Stephen Rossetti is a priest in the Diocese of Syracuse, associate professor of studies at Catholic University of America, and has been actively involved in exorcism ministry for the past 13 years. On the website catholicexorcism.org, he has an article titled “Exorcist Diary #203: Five Steps for Dealing with Demon Brain”, which means “Exorcism Diary #203: Five Steps to Dealing with the Demon Brain”. We invite you and your brothers and sisters to follow the translation into Vietnamese through the presentation of Kim Thuy.
"James" is haunted by the devil, also known as the "devil brain". Every few weeks, he experiences a moment in which his thoughts are strongly influenced by the devil. When this happens, he becomes desperate and has suicidal tendencies.
He devised a five-step process for dealing with these demonic attacks. The five steps can be helpful for anyone who is suffering from such demonic afflictions. He generously agreed to share them with everyone.
The five steps are:
1. Recognize the beginning of a demonic attack EARLY. Once in the middle of the "devil brain", he cannot recognize it and he mistook it for his real self. So he is trying to recognize the early signs that a demonic attack is coming before it is too late to react.
2. Reach out for help. James realizes that he cannot deal with the demons on his own. He turns to friends for support, his therapist for advice, and a priest for spiritual guidance and deliverance prayers. While these supports don't completely dispel the attack, they do help him successfully navigate the demon's onslaught.
3. Share honestly and openly. James knows that isolation can be deadly amid demonic hauntings. When the demon brain strikes, he tends to look up. So he intentionally tries to be open and honest about himself with his support system and what he's going through.
4. Reject and let go. In the midst of the demon's brain, James had a hard time realizing that his thoughts were actually demonic and not his own. However, he is trying to train himself to recognize the true source of these evil thoughts and consciously reject them. He said, “I need to reject these thoughts and let them go.” Using our prayer formula, he says, “I reject, renounce, and rebuke evil spirits, and in the name of Jesus, I cast them out.”
5. Do things you enjoy and distract yourself. His demonic thoughts were dark and desperate. In the middle of the demon brain, he consciously chooses to participate in activities he enjoys such as dining with friends or outdoor events and/or exercise. These improve his mood and distract him from focusing on the evil thoughts of the devil.
Furthermore, James tries his best to continue with a strong spiritual regimen of daily prayer and the sacraments.
These steps are not easy for anyone haunted by demons, especially in the midst of a demon brain attack. However, over time, he has shown the commitment and courage to do it with positive results. His attacks are shorter, less severe, and he's on his way to recovery.
I have no doubt that in the future these demonic attacks will be largely a thing of the past. Meanwhile, they are really strengthening him psychologically and spiritually. One day he will be a strong, tested spiritual warrior for Christ.