God's Will.

[Caty]

One of, if not my biggest OCD problem is knowing God's will. People say that you will just "know" when God talks to you or when he wants you to do something. But I don't. One day I was worrying about something and this thought popped in my head, "what if God wants me to do this, and if I don't then he will never forgive me." Since that I second guess plenty of things because I don't know if it's what God wants or my OCD. I don't want to give into my OCD and keep "feeding" it but I also don't want to ignore God. When I think about this I get worried that if I don't do certain things then God cannot forgive me and I will go to hell. It scares me so much. That's my #1 OCD. Can anyone relate to this? Any advice? I'm don't want to make God angry of dissapoint him.

 

[zingiber]

I seriously get that all the time! It is really one of my most frequent and persistent obsessions! I will feel like God is telling me to do something. For example, my thought will be "Go and talk to that stranger". I won't want to, and my thoughts will tell me that I am rebelling against God. Then I will say "No, that's OCD", and the thought will say "But what if it is God". And so on. Any thoughts like that which follow the OCD pattern of "do this or else" I count as OCD and ignore. God does not say to his children, "Do this or I won't forgive you". God is patient and forgiving beyond our wildest dreams. Look for example, at how patiently God dealt with Jonah, who knowingly disobeyed a command that he knew God had given him!

 

[Jayangel81]

One of, if not my biggest OCD problem is knowing God's will

This would be a start:

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

My "OCD" has latched on to this, it drove me nuts quite frankly. God likes to work through our personal desires from my experiance.

Start with transforming your mind by renewing it as Paul states in Romans, Ask God to take away all your own desires and replace it with His. Now if you really want this, from your heart; than God will do His good work in you pertaining to this.

God's will is not feelings, God made this crystal clear to me, and we cannot base it on thoughts in our head. As paul states begin with renewing your mind and be not conformed to this world. Than things will become more clear.

Renewing our minds is vital in the Christian walk, and alot of us have trouble doing it because alot of us, stray away from deep bible time because of our OCD.

Just a thought.

 

[RachelZ]

Hey Caty, just wanted to let you know you're definitely not alone with this one...I struggle with knowing what God's will is, what He may or may not be saying to me and what He may or may not be thinking about me...it makes praying and reading the bible really difficult at times...in fact a lot of the time. I hope you get some wisdom and help on this...sorry I haven't got much to offer, just wanted you to know I do understand. Take care, Rachel

 

[Caty]

Thank you guys for helping me, it makes Bible reading very hard for me too Rachel. I'll pray for you.

 

[Jayangel81]

Thank you guys for helping me, it makes Bible reading very hard for me too Rachel. I'll pray for you.

Perhaps you can for a while do it with someone, People find it more easier doing it with a friend or someone that will support them.

 

[RachelZ]

Good idea Jayangel, thanks...take care, Rachel

 

[BrotherDave]

One of, if not my biggest OCD problem is knowing God's will. People say that you will just "know" when God talks to you or when he wants you to do something. But I don't. One day I was worrying about something and this thought popped in my head, "what if God wants me to do this, and if I don't then he will never forgive me." Since that I second guess plenty of things because I don't know if it's what God wants or my OCD. I don't want to give into my OCD and keep "feeding" it but I also don't want to ignore God. When I think about this I get worried that if I don't do certain things then God cannot forgive me and I will go to hell. It scares me so much. That's my #1 OCD. Can anyone relate to this? Any advice? I'm don't want to make God angry of dissapoint him.

My first question is how do you think God “talks” to you? If it’s outside the bible (voices, visions…) I’d be weary of trusting the message. My next question is what do you think God’s will is? I believe it is for us 1. Not to sin 2. Seek His salvation. 3. Glorify His name. Keep in mind He would never ask us to sin to accomplish his desire. This is another great reason to search the bible for verses relating to the subject you are concerned with. I believe the more we sincerely and humbly seek the truth (through prayer & bible study) the more God opens our understanding and arranges things for us, if we trust him.

Also, we cannot achieve His forgiveness through our actions or work.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

Rom 9:15 (Exodus 33:19) I will have mercy on those I will.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

So try not to worry. God’s will, will be done (Gal 2:21). But don’t fret if it turns out different than what you expected. His ways are not ours. Just keep praying about it and keep your eyes opened. We cannot do anything to win his approval. Just wait on the Lord and trust completely in Him.

Also, God works on His schedule so do not be anxious: Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 

[kaykay9.0]

I seriously get that all the time! It is really one of my most frequent and persistent obsessions! I will feel like God is telling me to do something. For example, my thought will be "Go and talk to that stranger". I won't want to, and my thoughts will tell me that I am rebelling against God. Then I will say "No, that's OCD", and the thought will say "But what if it is God". And so on. Any thoughts like that which follow the OCD pattern of "do this or else" I count as OCD and ignore. God does not say to his children, "Do this or I won't forgive you". God is patient and forgiving beyond our wildest dreams. Look for example, at how patiently God dealt with Jonah, who knowingly disobeyed a command that he knew God had given him!

Good post. Yes, caty, I've had those feelings and I agree with zingiber here that if you get some thought where it ends with the thought or feeling of something like "do this or else" I think we can pretty much automatically relegate that thought to the OCD pile.

 

[michael714]

I'm glad I found the OCD topic here at CF.
I freak out trying to know God's will; make the mistake all the time trying to listen to the ping-pong game going on in my head (and feelings - insanity!) as a way to know His will. Those "consequences of not obeying verses and stories" (like Saul who lost his kingdom because he didn't wait a few hours, Achan who took stuff from Jericho...) have a way of putting the terror of the Lord in me. (In addition to the big time screwups from the wrong decisions I've made in my life.) This isn't growing in grace like we're commanded to do in 1st Peter (...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.)

I sent my 67 year old mother some money today because the thought kept coming back to me to do so. I'm not 100% sure it was God's will but it wouldn't hurt either way.

I don't trust my own thoughts or feelings either so I do tend to lean on people's opinions... the problem is that man doesn't always have God's answer.

 

[RachelZ]

Hi Michael...yes tuff in the bible terrifies me too...and as you say living in such a fearful place is not growing in grace! It is hard to trust ones feelings and thoughts when they are so full of anxiety and doubt. Do you find anything helps with this?

Sorry Caty, didn't thank you for your prayers...hope the thread is helping you, take care, Rachel

 

[Jayangel81]

I don't trust my own thoughts or feelings either so I do tend to lean on people's opinions... the problem is that man doesn't always have God's answer.

It is good to know that you do not trust your thoughts and feelings but be careful on the oppinions of others as far as Christianforums, not anyone particularly on the OCD forums but there are places on here....they are just leading people straight to apostacy

Just remember the only thing to truely lean on is Gods Word

I don't trust my own thoughts or feelings either so I do tend to lean on people's opinions... the problem is that man doesn't always have God's answer.

Or they just downright reject it


(sorry...one of those nights heh )

 

[Jpark]

One of, if not my biggest OCD problem is knowing God's will. People say that you will just "know" when God talks to you or when he wants you to do something. But I don't. One day I was worrying about something and this thought popped in my head, "what if God wants me to do this, and if I don't then he will never forgive me." Since that I second guess plenty of things because I don't know if it's what God wants or my OCD. I don't want to give into my OCD and keep "feeding" it but I also don't want to ignore God. When I think about this I get worried that if I don't do certain things then God cannot forgive me and I will go to hell. It scares me so much. That's my #1 OCD. Can anyone relate to this? Any advice? I'm don't want to make God angry of dissapoint him.

God's will has brought me here to help you.

What people say is not true. God's will is an everyday experience. To know God and His love, is by loving one another, for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8) It is clear to know God, you know God who is love by loving one another.

Now what we know of the will of God is made manifest. The will of God can be known (Romans 2:18), proven (Romans 12:2), and done (Matthew 6:10; Matthew 12:50). The will of God is salvation (2 Peter 3:9), belief in Christ (John 6:40), everlasting life (John 6:40), thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Realise that by receiving His Spirit and believing in the name of Jesus, you have already fulfilled (done) His will. You have received the gift of everlasting life. Now notice that the last two are practical desires in response to His grace. In receiving salvation from the world and the flesh, you are instructed to give thanksgiving to God, in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:19; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 3:16) and you should abstain from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 5:16-17; Galatians 5:19-21). But not out of obligation, but out of love.