Questions for those who doubt salvation

OptimisticSmile · Apr 11, 2007

I am wondering if i have an OCD problem.

what events usaually lead you to doubt your salvation

what thoughts do you have

is this manifested in physical symptoms.

out of nowhere I started doubting my salvation and as I was driving to go pray I threw up. I can see how God has worked in my life and yet I have this physical feeling that is like extreme anxiety and I cant seem to get rid of it even though i pray and have been in the word.

God has been doing alot in my life recently and so im really discouraged and in a few weeks im soon to go on a mission trip yet im currently in no state for that.
I says its spiritual warefare but that does not help me much.

seajoy · Apr 11, 2007

OptimisticSmile said:
I am wondering if i have an OCD problem.

what events usaually lead you to doubt your salvation

what thoughts do you have

is this manifested in physical symptoms.

out of nowhere I started doubting my salvation and as I was driving to go pray I threw up. I can see how God has worked in my life and yet I have this physical feeling that is like extreme anxiety and I cant seem to get rid of it even though i pray and have been in the word.

God has been doing alot in my life recently and so im really discouraged and in a few weeks im soon to go on a mission trip yet im currently in no state for that.
I says its spiritual warefare but that does not help me much.

You could very well have started having ocd symptoms. Mine came on very quickly too. I was the same age as you are now.

I was able to get help, but not until I had suffered for quite some time. The sooner you get help, the better. Since your thoughts are very new, ridding yourself of them should happen much quicker. I wish someone had known what I had, and given me advice like this.

Speak to a doctor.

If you have questions, please send me a Private Message, I'll be happy to answer it!

In Jesus who saved both you and I :clap:

,
seajoy

Colabomb · Apr 11, 2007

Yes, the best thing you can do is speak to your doctor.

1 of two things can happen.

1) He can discover that you do have Obsessive Compulsive disorder, and help you. Trust me, my life has improved quite a bit since getting treatment.

2) He can discover that you don't have ocd, and you can go from there to find out what is actually going on.

Its a win win situation

polishmanmike · Apr 11, 2007

or you can ask yourself a question...are these thoughts drawing you to repentance? or are these thoughts put a whole bunch of fear in you which you know isnt from God (because He already said that He didnt give us a spirit of fear)? Best way to know is read John 17:3,

3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

Do you know Jesus, that you can only answer yourself, do you know Him? In the intimate way are you with Him like in marriage relationship? and no that doesnt mean wheter He came in a vision to you but we all know wheter we know Him or we dont. That word "know" is used in the same way as when Mary told an angel that she newer "Knew" a man, so obviously we arent talking about anything sexual here but something VERY intimate... (God is minestering to me as I type) so if you do knwo Him, talk to Him, then worry not but if you dont, guys if we have been playing "church" sunday religion, then let us cry out to Him, let us get honest with Him, that we have other lovers but Jesus HELP US repent, help us know You more in the most intimate way, HELP US KNOW YOU!!!!! I dont think God will ignore that kind of cry

I want to know Him more, how bout u guys?

OptimisticSmile · Apr 12, 2007

This isnt anything new.

I have been in church since i was born around age 6 I made a proffession of faith. However i was always afraid I didnt understand or I was ashamed or I really wasnt repentant. At age 15 I walked the isle at my church and made another proffesion of faith. imediatly afterwords I went home and was so full of fear that I was ashamed or that I was truly repentant and I was expecting and seeking after an emotional experience and im not very emotional. I lived in fear until 2 years ago . I was always afraid I had commited the unpardonable sin, or I had hardened my heart , or that I was taking communnion unworthily and that the holy spirit didnt draw me into a relationship with christ. these were all fears that have always plagued me. 2 years ago I decided to put my trust in Gods word despite not feeling any different. My life drastically changed but that same fear I once had has come back and it really difficult fr me to pinpoint when I was saved because I have always grown up in church and never has the bible not been a part of my life although I did not read it until 2 years ago.

im not really OCD about anything else though as a child I also had a fear about anything id see on tv like ufo's and spontaneious human combustion.

seajoy · Apr 12, 2007

Remember, God gives you your faith...you don't give it to yourself.

No big experience is nessasary. A belief in Jesus as your Savior is a gift from God.

I think what you are describing is ocd. Both the religious stuff, and tv/combustion stuff started in childhood. There is still so much help out there, even if you've had this for a long time. (like me

).

You need professional help, and probably meds along with therapy. It's nothing to be scared of. God healed me using both of these things.

Religious ocd is not a problem with God....it's unwanted, unwarranted thoughts, and nothing more. Without my bad thoughts, I see my faith as God intended for me to see it. You will too!

seajoy :prayer:

HeatherG · Apr 12, 2007

What events cause me to doubt my salvation? Like you, these thoughts just seem to appear out of nowhere. I can't predict when they will come, but when they do, I also feel physically sick and lose my appetite and can't sleep. I may be like that for several days and then usually I will get over it. It seems to come in waves. I agree that your symptoms do sound a bit like OCD, so you should probably check it out with a doctor. It was a huge relief to me when a psychiatrist told me I had OCD. I thought I was just evil with no hope of salvation.

Just try to rest in Him and try not to struggle as it tends to make things worse.

Heather

seajoy · Apr 12, 2007

What Heather said!

marcb · Apr 13, 2007

One thing I have learned is not to trust my emotions, especially if they are telling me lies. Whether or not we "feel" saved is irrelevant. As Christians, we are drawn to Christ's salvation by the Spirit. Of course, I love the emotional experience of worship and dwelling in God's presence. These are external - God focused. Internal thoughts tend to examine the baggage and negative thoughts for me. Reflection is good, but self-condemnation stands against the Gospel. Therefore, "getting over" myself and not worrying how I feel all the time about it has been a blessing and a faith builder - by the grace of God.

seajoy · Apr 14, 2007

What Marc said, too!

OptimisticSmile · Apr 14, 2007

Right now im praying for God to remind me of the faith I had when I felt him leading me on a mission trip (that was definently not me) and the faith I had when I started trusting him and making him the lord of my life. Prayer is so hard and reading God's word isnt helping much. I have a fear of losing my faith entirely and I just dont understand it. without God my life is meaningless . I can't picture myself living without him. I just want to be able to pray like i used to and be of use to God. right now i feel wortless and i know that this is something satan uses to derail christians from living for God. What bothers me most is that 2 years ago I thought this would never return again and it has. My pastor told me that Martin Luther struggled with doubt so i may read about that.

OptimisticSmile · Apr 14, 2007

This is something my brother has struggled with as well. he has ongoing depressionone time when he was in deep depression once and saw a christian counselor. he was afriad he was going to rip up a bible for no reason and so growing up next to him has not helped me. he has also had bits with hypochondriasis and no one could reassure him that he was alright and didnt have cancer. My mom also went through a period of depression where she saw everything as being evil and she recieved help from her pastor who was a therapist.

seajoy · Apr 14, 2007

OS, it appears as though your family has a history with such things. OCD/depression/anxiety can all run through familes. I, my sister, my Grandma, and my daughter, all have differing forms of mental problems. The ones who have received help (my daughter and I) have gotten better. The other 2 have not.

I pray you will improve so you can know the joys of the faith God has given you in Jesus. He is Holding you right now.

OptimisticSmile · Apr 14, 2007

does anyone know a good proffesional and biblically solid sight for help with such an issue.

seajoy · Apr 14, 2007

OptimisticSmile said:
does anyone know a good proffesional and biblically solid sight for help with such an issue.

I don't know of a site, but I believe the bible to be inerrant, and could try and direct you on how to seek a professional in OCD. You can PM me if you like, I'd be happy to answer any questions as to how I was helped.

HeatherG · Apr 15, 2007

OptimisticSmile said:
does anyone know a good proffesional and biblically solid sight for help with such an issue.

I don't really know of such a site either, but I was just reminded of the book Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, by John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, who shares his many struggles with doubting his salvation. It just helps to know we are not the first to go through this and to see how someone in the 17th century dealt with it. Another brother has previously posted this link to the book:
http://www3.calvarychapel.com/library/Bunyan-John/GraceAbounding/GraceAbounding.htm#01

michaelj77 · Apr 17, 2007

Well reading all that has been written I guess I can also identify with you all.
It started with regrets that I had about making a wrong choice in subjects for college and not dealing with it. It kept haunting me and I was never settled in my mind that I had made the right choice. I kept thinking of it and was obsessed with it. This showed up few years after, where I lost my self confidence.
I was also very close to the Lord and loved serving Him. Then I started having feelings that God was not with me and I was wondering why. I felt guity and wanted to do all I could for the Lord, but there was no satisfaction or joy in what I did. I became very restless.
At that time I saw a doctor and got counselling as well. Now I see that God never condemns us - He is more concerned about who we are than what we do. And we are His children. I was showered with God's word and good friends, which slowly turned things around. Meds also helped, though I was very impatient with them at the start.
So friends and therapy will help. Some times meds may be neccassary. So there's hope - but reach out!!

seajoy · Apr 17, 2007

michaelj77 said:
Well reading all that has been written I guess I can also identify with you all.
It started with regrets that I had about making a wrong choice in subjects for college and not dealing with it. It kept haunting me and I was never settled in my mind that I had made the right choice. I kept thinking of it and was obsessed with it. This showed up few years after, where I lost my self confidence.
I was also very close to the Lord and loved serving Him. Then I started having feelings that God was not with me and I was wondering why. I felt guity and wanted to do all I could for the Lord, but there was no satisfaction or joy in what I did. I became very restless.
At that time I saw a doctor and got counselling as well. Now I see that God never condemns us - He is more concerned about who we are than what we do. And we are His children. I was showered with God's word and good friends, which slowly turned things around. Meds also helped, though I was very impatient with them at the start.
So friends and therapy will help. Some times meds may be neccassary. So there's hope - but reach out!!

Great post! And welcome Michael!

Kazkoss · Apr 17, 2007

I also suggest getting some strong Christians to pray for you and seek God as to how to get victory&/deliverance&/healing.

seajoy · Apr 17, 2007

Kazkoss said:
I also suggest getting some strong Christians to pray for you and seek God as to how to get victory&/deliverance&/healing.

It's God's strength that heals.
There are many ways He uses to do that. My healing was in exposure/response therapy and with meds. That's how I got the deliverance that I had prayed for, and longed for, for so long.
God bless you.

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