Do i try too hard?

[Katchit]

Hello everyone.

I suffer from OCD and anxiety, i used to suffer a real lot more than i do now (since God helped me to become stronger each and every day, thank you God), but sometimes i feel like i literally watch my every move, my every word, if something is said or spoken, or seen, my first thought is usually 9 times out of 10, does this fit in with the Christian way of being.

Obviously there has to be a point where i can relax, but also there is also a point where i need to uphold my Christian beliefs, so how do i get to that mid-point so to speak?

Is it right for me to literally analyse every single thing i do each day, say each day, etc...

I do feels this provides anxiety when i am like this. I have asked my local vicar about this, and i think he said something along the lines of, "trusting in God, is a setting free".

Do i need to analyse and watch my conduct every second of every day? I just could do with a bit of help and guidance on this please, and how to have peace of mind, etc... as i often find real heaviness and condemnation and a feeling of punishment, and im not really sure why.

Thank you and God bless.

 

[dysert]

Hello everyone.

I suffer from OCD and anxiety, i used to suffer a real lot more than i do now (since God helped me to become stronger each and every day, thank you God), but sometimes i feel like i literally watch my every move, my every word, if something is said or spoken, or seen, my first thought is usually 9 times out of 10, does this fit in with the Christian way of being.

Obviously there has to be a point where i can relax, but also there is also a point where i need to uphold my Christian beliefs, so how do i get to that mid-point so to speak?

Is it right for me to literally analyse every single thing i do each day, say each day, etc...

I do feels this provides anxiety when i am like this. I have asked my local vicar about this, and i think he said something along the lines of, "trusting in God, is a setting free".

Do i need to analyse and watch my conduct every second of every day? I just could do with a bit of help and guidance on this please, and how to have peace of mind, etc... as i often find real heaviness and condemnation and a feeling of punishment, and im not really sure why.

Thank you and God bless.

I agree with your vicar on this. Here's some Scripture for you to ponder:

Matt. 11:29-30
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

John 8:36
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

Gal. 2:16
"knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified."

Gal. 5:1
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."
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We have enough trouble in this world without dwelling on whether we're being "good enough" (if that's your obsession). Remember, Christ's sacrifice took care of our sin -- past, present, and future. We're now His no matter what. Live in the freedom that He has provided.

 

[flowerforever7]

Hi,

I can really relate. Maybe switching the focus from analyzing your every move for sin to putting it on loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself will help; i.e.: what would Jesus do (or) what would Jesus desire for you to do in the situations you face. (I am sure you love God and are trying to love your neighbor already); at the same time I think sometimes we need to more deliberately make this mental shift. I believe almost everything I do is sinful and analyze my actions to the point where I am going in circles and choose not to do anything -lest I sin and be condemned. I shared this with the minister at the congregation I attend and he tried to direct me toward focusing on doing what Jesus called us to do on this earth. He told me that when something is sidelining me from actively ministering others then something is out of balance (and I probably need to evaluate it). I think about the Pharisees who made rules to not break certain commandments, and the instances where Jesus did not follow or broke their rules to do the right thing in different situations, and/or used those moments to teach the Pharisees about what is most important. Obviously, I don't think this means going in the opposite direction and trying to sin, but in gray disputable areas taking the action you would best think Jesus would take or would want you to take based on His life shown in the Scriptures and His teachings. I think this refocusing on loving God with everything you have and loving your neighbor as yourself helps make things more clear.

Hope this suggestion helps.

 

[Katchit]

Hello and thank you to you both for your very kind, helpful and appreciated replies.

They are both very helpful and i thank you very much.

Yes, i guess i do try to be 'good', well, not just 'good', but i try to be perfect with everything, thoughts, words, actions, humour, etc...

Obviously, with OCD anxiety, it is difficult to actually find peace of mind sometimes, but im sure i dont help myself with the constant analysis of my conduct and behavior.