Are OCDers Eternally Condemned to Hell? Did Pharaoh Have OCD?

[Lisa0315]

I wanted to repost my reply. I use using a computer at school and the building was going to be closed so I was rushing and made some mistakes.
Some people made the comment “they do not have specific answers” and while I do like specific answers there are other things a people can do to help.
For example I have been very touched at the heartfelt comments. Sometimes just feeling someone’s compassion can do so much healing, even with getting a concrete example.
I have in past years occasionally been really helped by someone was a supernatural insight and compassion.
There are several incidents in my life that would illustrate this type of insight and compassion, but I forgot the details. So I will make up an archetype of those real but forgotten incidents, of which I experienced this insight and compassion from others.
Here it is:
As common with OCDers I often felt the need to confess, but the very thing I wanted and needed to confess the most—my OCD—I had to keep veiled. So I would give a diluted version of what I really wanted to unload.
One of the many OCD rituals I had was this: I would have to read something (something I enjoyed) a certained amount of times or it would be erradicated in my brain or I would lose any benefit I may have accured from reading it.
I would often express my frustration to others of having to read this book so many times, without them telling them about the OCD curse associated with this need.
Most people would think my need to reread something a certain amount of times fulfilled some rational need, such as to master book or its subject to achieve some educational benefit—like as though I was studying this in a college course.
The people would respond with a rational argument about I should not pressure myself to overachieve, etc. but never touching on the fact I was doing this to avoid an OCD curse.
Yet sometimes despite my veiled language, a person I have spoken to, with some gift of insight, sensed my anguish, and despite no knowledge of any of my OCD or even OCD itself, looked beyond the superficial, sensed my deep pain and conveyed to me a real sense of compassion.
I am not talking about a perfunctory and obligatory “God is with you. I am sure everything will turn out OK,” but a deep and penetrating empathy that “transcends all human understanding.”
The resulting relief and warmth I received as a result, caused my OCD to melt away (more than any SSRI could have done) and actually for a time, I would not have to carry out my rituals. Unfortunately, these incidents were very rare and fleeting but my only excursion into the non-OCD world.
Secondly
When I blasphemed God, this was when I knew about OCD and still did it voluntarily. I was so angry at God. Strangely the things that cause me to pour anger at God is little things, like forgetting to take my oatmeal raison cookie with me which I so enjoy so much or forgetting my flashdrive. Also when anything messes up a ritual.
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You see, I used to hold it in but when I learned about OCD I thought “What’s the use? I am condemned to this forever. Why even try?”
I am so ashamed to even mention this. Oh God, I wish you would forgive me. I tasted some of your goodness and now I want to repent. I am so evil. It is not just OCD but me. Oh how I would love you know your forgiveness.
Do you people think this is sufficient for God to forgive me? Know that I knew what I was doing when I blasphemed. Oh God would have to be so merciful to forgive me.
It was not just thoughts I was pouring out anger. I am ashamed to tell you what I said.
Thank you for reading this post.
Rex

If you were whole and healthy, you would not have "blasphemed" at all. It is not blasphemy but EVEN IF IT WAS, God is FAITHFUL to forgive us.

We get so caught up on this unpardonable sin that we cannot see that Jesus LOVES US! It is unpardonable if we are unrepentant. You are ashamed and grieving over what you perceive you have done. Jesus is crying harder for you than you cry for yourself, not because you have hurt him but because you hurt yourself and cannot see how much He loves you. God LOVES you!

Here is an exercise to try: Just try it. Okay? Read this chapter outloud and whereever there is a bolded word, insert your name.

Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, F28 condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally F29 minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal F30 mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by F31 his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because F32 he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Lisa

 

[BeccaLynn]

Rex,

I'm not ignoring your questions, but I've not checked this website for a few days. I want to answer you, but honestly I feel I need to wait until I actually have the time to take to do a more thorough job than I can right now. Concerning the personal messages, after I log in, in the top right hand corner there's a section that says "private messages" and I click on the arrow beside of it. After it brings me to the pm screen, I click that I want to send a new message and type in the log in name of the person (ex. BeccaLynn for myself) whom I want to send it to. Concerning marriage . . . I have been married for 12 1/2 years, and no, it's definitely not been easy. Marriage isn't anyway because it's a uniting of usually 2 self-centered people, of course no one typically realizes that they're so self-centered until this time, which can't be easy. But, ocd magnifies things. I have friends, but I struggle with relationships. It's difficult for me to feel genuine and, often, I feel like I'm an actress with life as my play. Like I'm watching myself and trying to figure out my every move. It's difficult to explain, but I do want to talk more with you. Yes, God definitely loves you Rex. That is an absolute. For God so loved the world . . . You are definitely in the world and you are loved, whether you feel it or not doesn't change that. I will get back with you. I have an eight year old who is craving my attention right now, but I don't want you to think in the least that I'm brushing you off, because I'm not. I didn't read to see if anyone responded about how to send a private message to someone, so if I just restated what someone else said, just look over it.

God Bless You,
Rebecca

 

[RachelZ]

Hi Rex, sorry I haven't got back to you before...I'm glad at least something of my post was of help. It's so difficult to know what to say that will really help someone with so much pain that will not sound trite, condescending or like a platitude. All I know is I have had years of varying degrees of pain and torment and so at least in certain ways can say I understand something of what you're going through. Yes I can say to others God loves them...but of me? Well I just about manage to say "well He must cos He said He does in the bible" but then I often think "but I don't think He likes me!" I often feel like He's mad at me or waiting to whap me round the back of the head...I try and read the bible and often feel judged...I try and pray and often feel stuck and try and worship and often feel insincere. I say this not to hijack this thread but because I want you to know you are not alone with these feelings that somehow you aren't included in God's grace and peace. And as for being married...yes I am and I do thank God...but for many, many years I was alone...I've married later than a lot of people...and it hasn't all been easy as my OCD attacks the relationship. It must be so frustrating for you to be misunderstood in your singleness...maybe you could find a Christian therapist and take this thread along...who knows, it might help.

Sorry can't write loads more...I wish I had some amazing wisdom and insight for you...all I know is Jesus died an horrific death because of the seriousness of sin...a death that was even able to cover the sins of the thief on the other cross who didn't even seem to pray a prayer or repentence! He simply spoke out to God where He was at and I really pray that God will help you to do that. It's so eay to think we're somehow the exception to God loved the world but God is bigger than our pain. Sometimes I think some Christians can seem to promise more than God does which I think can lead to feelings of dissapointment and dissolussionment...all I know is Jesus said we'd have many troubles in this world but that He's overcome it. That unfortunately doesn't mean the troubles will all go...but what it does mean is that despite their presence God has taking away their power and potency...they will not triumph but He will!

Sorry, I hope none of that sounds trite...It's honestly said from a place of empathy...I pray God will show You His love in amazing and powerful and gentle ways...even today...take care...Rachel

 

[gracealone]

HI Rex,
Been away from the forum for several weeks, vacation and house guests.
Took the time to read through your posts and the replies. Good to know you're not alone and you will find that if you hang in with this group you will recieve much encouragement, insight and prayer support. Actually you will find Christ loving you in and through these folk, including myself, who all know exactly how excruciating it is to live with religious OCD or any kind of OCD. So you have to already see that He hasn't abandoned you. He led you here for a reason. He led me here too and I can't tell you how much comfort and encouragment I've recieved through my participation in this forum.
I understand your fear of the Meds. They terrified me and I've not used them for most of my 30 year struggle with OCD. But with my last really bad flare I took the leap. I had to go through the pain of trying several different ones before finding something that worked well for me. I'm so thankful I did it as it has really helped me to apply the therapy of exposure/response.
By the way my husband takes an SSRI for his disorder and we still have the blessing of physical intimacy. Just wanted you to know it is possible. Also some SSRI's are worse than others. My daughter takes a low dose of Prozac for her OCD and it doesn't affect her sex life negatively like Zoloft did. I take Buspar which has no sexual side effects and no discontinuation syndrome. I took Remeron for awhile for co-commitment depression with my OCD and although it caused weight gain it had no sexual side effects, no paradoxical anxiety symptoms, and little or no discontinuatoin syndome when I quit it. So there's lots of options. The negative side effects of drugs that we with OCD read about will always be exaggerated by our OCD which in turn makes it very hard if not impossible for us to get up the courage to try them. Instead we practice classic avoidance. Trust me, my OCD played a huge role in my hesitancy to use meds. The most important thing to keep in mind when starting up any of these meds. is to use the tiniest dose possible in the beginning and work your way up to the dose that will be effective for you. Never, ever start with a large dose as this can actually increase your symptoms in the beginning and might make you want to drop the drug before you know whether or not it works. Same thing with stopping them - very slow gradual taper over many months is the only way to go.
For me, the torture of the OCD in the end outweighed my fears of the meds.
That's my two cents on the meds. issue.
On to therapy. 30 years ago I suffered tremendously with both severe OCD and panic disorder to the point where I could barely leave my home and was unable to even eat or sleep. I never had any one correctly diagnose me or tell me what I needed to do to get well. I finally learned all on my own that I had panic disorder, never knew I had OCD till about two years ago. Back then I tried very hard to do the type of therapy that has you counter your negative thoughts with positive ones, or has you ask yourself what evidence you have to support your fears and I can tell you that all that did was to make my disorder worse than ever. The things that I did on my own back then to get better was consistent aerobic exercise, breathing and relaxation techniques and learning how to ride through panic attacks. The wrong type of therapy is completely counter productive to you getting well. The right type of therapy exposure/response/prevention is what really works but is also what is the hardest to do. For a lot of us we need the assistance of medication to employ it's tecnique's.(Even if only temporarily) I've been able to drop one of my meds. successfully at this point but I know if I never need it again I can use it in the future to get over the hump of a really bad flare.
Now on to some practical reading material.
First I highly recommend the website.
www.ocdonline.com
read all the articles by Dr. Philipson on treating OCD. Great stuff - has really helped me way more than my own therapist has.
Then read:
"Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners" by John Bunyan.
In my opinion this book should be required reading for every Christian suffering from religious OCD.
He finally learned to just live with the uncertainty of his salvation which was caused by OCD, (even though he didn't know it), and focused on just walking for God/Christ with or without emotional validation. THis is where I've had to get. I cannot base my salvation on my whacked out emotional responses because I have OCD. Sometimes I can't feel my faith at all and I'm numb to God. Sometimes I feel wholly condemned. Sometimes I feel so angry at God I wonder if I've ever been a Christian to start with. Sometimes I think I might be becoming an atheist. All of this is my OCD at work. But I can and do choose to press on - to follow Him to serve Him to obey Him no matter what my OCD yells at me. " Obedience is the key to all doors." & "The emotion of fear is in itself no sin, the act of cowardice is all that matters." CS. Lewis.
So I walk on with or without the fear, with or without the emotional validation. I walk on because He walked up Golgatha's hill for me. I walk on because my faith is not based in who I am but in who He is. I walk on because, "He remembers my frame - that I am dust." I walk on because to not do so is to walk no-where. I walk on because it's what I can do, OCD cannot rob me of my choice to follow Christ.

I'm praying for you, please stay with us and never,never, never give up.
Mitzi

 

[racough]

I am facing the financial crises of my life. I am too old to start anew. This is a culmination and legacy of the inability to perform in the workplace from my OCD. I am hoping, even at this late stage to finish the education I had started and make something of my life. I don't want this as my epitath: "He merely survived OCD."

I know the kingdom of God is more than earthly riches but can He pull me though this. I am undergoing a Chinese water torture . . . drip, drip, drip.

If I did not commit the unpardonable sin, and God still loves me and cares for me can, or better yet, will he help me?

 

[babegirl111]

Pray about it Racough, ask GOD to help you through this. You have to talk to him. Believe me he is listening and he sees your pain. I will say a prayer for you.

 

[Lisa0315]

I am facing the financial crises of my life. I am too old to start anew. This is a culmination and legacy of the inability to perform in the workplace from my OCD. I am hoping, even at this late stage to finish the education I had started and make something of my life. I don't want this as my epitath: "He merely survived OCD."

I know the kingdom of God is more than earthly riches but can He pull me though this. I am undergoing a Chinese water torture . . . drip, drip, drip.

If I did not commit the unpardonable sin, and God still loves me and cares for me can, or better yet, will he help me?

He already is helping you. Just a few days ago, you were sure that you were unredeemable, and now, you are beginning to believe that God loves you. That is a huge step forward. It can only get better from here.

Lisa

 

[racough]

To Lisa, Babegirl, Mitzi, RachaelZ, Rebecca and all the others who post a reply to my thread.


While I am still struggling, you all provided me with much comfort. I took the time to cut and paste your answers (as well as format them to make them easier to read) so I can keep them with me and re-read and meditate over your answers, suggestions and encouragements.


I am too hurting to say much else, so for now, thank you all so much.

 

[Lisa0315]

To Lisa, Babegirl, Mitzi, RachaelZ, Rebecca and all the others who post a reply to my thread.


While I am still struggling, you all provided me with much comfort. I took the time to cut and paste your answers (as well as format them to make them easier to read) so I can keep them with me and re-read and meditate over your answers, suggestions and encouragements.


I am too hurting to say much else, so for now, thank you all so much.

(((Hug)))

 

[silverlining*]

Just want to join in and say that no, you have NOT committed the unpardonable sin. If you had, you wouldn't be scared that you had. Really truly. (Apart from anything else, is it likely that God would let the vast majority of the world's Christians be led into error about what the unpardonable sin means?) And like others have said, don't forget that God can show you His love and mercy through the people around you.

 

[gracealone]

I am facing the financial crises of my life. I am too old to start anew. This is a culmination and legacy of the inability to perform in the workplace from my OCD. I am hoping, even at this late stage to finish the education I had started and make something of my life. I don't want this as my epitath: "He merely survived OCD."

I know the kingdom of God is more than earthly riches but can He pull me though this. I am undergoing a Chinese water torture . . . drip, drip, drip.

If I did not commit the unpardonable sin, and God still loves me and cares for me can, or better yet, will he help me?

Hi Racough,
Thankfully God is not inhibited by our weaknesses.
I am facing a very similar situation to yours. Due to my husband's disability and our financial situation it looks as if I may have to enter the workplace again after an absence of 30 years. My anxiety disorders impact me in such a way that this will be a huge/scary challenge for me. At 51 years old it's hard to imagine any one would even want to hire me.
There's nothing for me to do but to just put one foot in front of the other and do the things necessary to help our situation. I know I'm not going to feel confident or relaxed about it but I have to ignore all that and just do the right thing. It's really daunting!!
I certainly don't feel able for the task due to my disorder. But this is OK, actually it's more than OK because I know that God chooses the weak, the uneducated, the poor etc., to do great things for that very reason that they know they are weak and must depend wholly on Him. "Blessed are the poor in Spirit."
In the book "Prince Caspian" Aslan addresses Caspian :
"Welcome, Prince," said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?" "I - I don't think I do, Sir", said Caspian, "I'm only a kid."
"Good", said Aslan. "If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not. Therefore, under us and under the High King, you shall be King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands."
Those who know that their own strength will not suffice are the ones who God chooses for His work because they know that apart from Him they can do nothing. This is why Paul finally came to place where he saw his affliction, (which God did not remove), as something to glory in - "that the power of Christ may rest upon me - for when I am weak - I am strong."
I'll pray for you as you walk in and through these challenges and I would very much appreciate your prayers for me also.
God Bless,
Mitzi

 

[BeccaLynn]

Mitzi,

I'll pray for you. I needed to hear what you said about not feeling up to the task ahead of us. God definitely is more than enough and sufficient, not we ourselves. I need to remember that.

Rex,

I wanted to respond to the post earlier where you asked about marriage when someone has ocd. I will tell you that you can definitely have a blessed relationship with someone, despite the ocd. However, I went about marriage absolutely the wrong way. What I mean is that, although I didn't know that I had ocd, I knew there was something very wrong with my thinking. I felt like I was an evil person, rejected by God, and that definitely damaged any romantic relationship I had. When someone views themself as rejected by God, it's the ultimate feeling of rejection, so I think I tried to get some sort of acceptance from a human relationship. I also had no kind of method to handle the ocd attacks. To me, it was all because I was hard-hearted toward God. In my mind, it was completely of a spiritual nature. I struggled in college because it was like I could only concentrate on one thing at a time, and if I overstepped my capacity, then I would retreat because I felt overhwhelmed. I made good grades, but then I took too many classes one semester and ended up just not going to some of themt. I just felt overwhelmed and didn't even bother to drop them officially, so the F's really brought my average down. I met my husband while I was in college. My senior year, I was involved in a relationship with him and felt unsure about my abilityand desire to be a teacher (I was majoring in elementary ed.), and so I dropped out. College plus a relationship was too much for me. I look back and see that my self-confidence has never been my strong point. I didn't know who I was, felt internally that I was condemned, struggled with horrible thoughts, and was looking to the man in my life to fill the void and give me some sense of security. I've often felt like the kitten you may have seen on a poster before that is hanging onto a branch by the tips of it's claws. It states, "Hold on Baby!". Well, that's how I felt, like I was holding onto sanity by my very "claws", but I could fall at any moment. My boyfriend was a distraction from that, and I wanted some kind of purpose, something to look forward to in my life. Also, my dad had always raised me with a fear of "end times", and I felt like I was running out of time to get married and live my life with someone. Now, I will tell you that I love my husband dearly, but I married for the wrong reasons. I love him now in a way I didn't love him then. I was attracted to him and certain things about him, but I struggled with even knowing if I was capable of loving someone. When someone marries another, it is a blending of lives, goals, dreams, but I had none. I just lived day to day. Well, when we don't know who we are in Christ, that can especially cause us marital difficulties to say the least. I'm not saying that people should wait until they're perfect to marry, of course that would illiminate everyone from being married. I'm just saying that it shouldn't be done because we're looking for someone to fill that void inside of us that only God can fill. I struggled so terribly thinking that I was lost and had "blasphemous" thoughts constantly going through my mind. I was afraid to tell my boyfriend (future husband) because I felt like he was such a strong Christian that he would not want to be with someone who doubted their salvation. I did tell him one night, but I just touched the surface of it. He prayed with me, still wanted to be with me, and I felt somewhat like I had done my duty because I told him that I struggled with my personal salvation. He just didn't understand the extreme nature of it though, and after we were married, it worked havoc on our marriage. We both brought personal baggage with us into our marriage, but the struggle I had over being saved seemed to control me. After our son was born, it only worsened. Then, I began to be controlled by fear over his eternal salvation. It wasn't until I had been married for about 5-6 years that I even began to seek treatment. If I had been open and honest when I was a teenager and was going through all of this, I could've saved us so much grief. I'm thankful that my husband and I are probably closer now than we've been. He is my partner, lover, and friend. But, it could've easily turned out differently. God has had his hand upon us even when we felt so far from Him. From what I've been through, I definitely personally think that it is best to seek treatment and get on the road to a healthy thinking pattern before even seeking a marriage relationship. I don't mean to not be friends with the opposite sex. Friendship is such a great foundation to build upon anyway when it comes to marriage. What I do mean though is to not be actively searching right now when your emotions are still ruling you. This is the advice I would have given myself had I known then what I do now. Get help for yourself first. That's one of the best things you can do for yourself and any future relationships.

I know I didn't answer all of your questions, but I hope that it helps at least some.

Rebecca

 

[kaykay9.0]

Hi Racough,
Thankfully God is not inhibited by our weaknesses.
I am facing a very similar situation to yours. Due to my husband's disability and our financial situation it looks as if I may have to enter the workplace again after an absence of 30 years. My anxiety disorders impact me in such a way that this will be a huge/scary challenge for me. At 51 years old it's hard to imagine any one would even want to hire me.
There's nothing for me to do but to just put one foot in front of the other and do the things necessary to help our situation. I know I'm not going to feel confident or relaxed about it but I have to ignore all that and just do the right thing. It's really daunting!!
I certainly don't feel able for the task due to my disorder. But this is OK, actually it's more than OK because I know that God chooses the weak, the uneducated, the poor etc., to do great things for that very reason that they know they are weak and must depend wholly on Him. "Blessed are the poor in Spirit."
In the book "Prince Caspian" Aslan addresses Caspian :
"Welcome, Prince," said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?" "I - I don't think I do, Sir", said Caspian, "I'm only a kid."
"Good", said Aslan. "If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not. Therefore, under us and under the High King, you shall be King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands."
Those who know that their own strength will not suffice are the ones who God chooses for His work because they know that apart from Him they can do nothing. This is why Paul finally came to place where he saw his affliction, (which God did not remove), as something to glory in - "that the power of Christ may rest upon me - for when I am weak - I am strong."
I'll pray for you as you walk in and through these challenges and I would very much appreciate your prayers for me also.
God Bless,
Mitzi

Praying for your situation too, Mitzi. Don't be discouraged if you do need to find a job. I am 52 (and as you know, struggle with OCD!) and I have never really had significant problems being hired for a job. It's obvious from your posting that you are very intelligent, Mitzi, and I'm sure you'd do a good job at any number of things. Yes, I DO believe that God has opened the door for me several times to work. Just trust Him to do that if He desires you to go into the workplace.

 

[Christian Sojourner]

There is certainly no proof Pharaoh had OCD. If anything, a secular psychologist would say Moses was more likely to have OCD; and that because of the laws given at Sinai, such as one being unclean if they got bodily fluids on them, which seems like an obsession, and having to perform rituals (seemingly compulsions) to right the wrongs.

OCDers are certainly not condemned to Hell for having OCD, anymore than the Apostle Paul was for his thorn in the flesh, which he called a messenger of Satan to torment him. Who knows, maybe Paul's thorn in the flesh was OCD, as it has not been an uncommon torture among great spiritual leaders, such as Martin Luther, John Bunyan, and others.

2 Cor. 12, "7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Don't worry, for often one's fear of going to Hell is proof that he is not going to Hell.