I have realized that my motives thoughout my ocd battles were to avoid committing the ultimate blasphemy. Therefore I was on heightened alert for anything that I might think, say, or do would be blasphemy. ANYTHING! Casual conversations, thoughts, choices about unrelated things all led me to feel as if I had then committed blasphemy, often times, THE ULTIMATE BLASPHEMY 
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What a way to live. It's a phobia. Do you know what phobias can do? As a physical therapist, I have met people who stop walking, because their fear of falling consumes them. They are perfectly capable, yet phobic. When the phobia motivates, we are literally paralyzed.
The only way I can successfully intervene is by assisting them to re-frame their goals from "not falling" to "walking." And not just walking, but walking with intent and purpose. Can you see the difference between these motives? This is a process. Just like us, if they want to get well, they have to take the risk and trust. That means walking in spite of the fear, with the fear, and ultimately instead of the fear. Walking leads to a more complete life.
We can have an incomplete life by fear of failing. We can keep quiet for fear of falling, or, by the Grace of God, we can walk, stumble as we may, toward the goal.
Fear, anxiety. These are not modern psychological symptoms. God understands that they can run the show. He gently points this out:
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. Romans 8:15 KJV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phillipians 4:6 NIV
Let us walk with confidence, knowing our Father in Heaven knows us, loves us, and protects us:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 KJV
.What a way to live. It's a phobia. Do you know what phobias can do? As a physical therapist, I have met people who stop walking, because their fear of falling consumes them. They are perfectly capable, yet phobic. When the phobia motivates, we are literally paralyzed.
The only way I can successfully intervene is by assisting them to re-frame their goals from "not falling" to "walking." And not just walking, but walking with intent and purpose. Can you see the difference between these motives? This is a process. Just like us, if they want to get well, they have to take the risk and trust. That means walking in spite of the fear, with the fear, and ultimately instead of the fear. Walking leads to a more complete life.
We can have an incomplete life by fear of failing. We can keep quiet for fear of falling, or, by the Grace of God, we can walk, stumble as we may, toward the goal.
Fear, anxiety. These are not modern psychological symptoms. God understands that they can run the show. He gently points this out:
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. Romans 8:15 KJV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phillipians 4:6 NIV
Let us walk with confidence, knowing our Father in Heaven knows us, loves us, and protects us:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 KJV
