How Do You Tell the Difference?

[Hermit7]

Just a basic question for those with scrupulosity OCD:

How can you tell if a thought is OCD versus actually God "speaking" to you?

I mean most occasions, it feels like the first time over and over again. Even for those thoughts that are nearly similar to any other OCD thought, always makes me wonder "Well, maybe it's really God this time?"

What are some clues you look for to help you say, "Wait a second, this isn't God. It's just OCD."

Any takers?

-Hermit

 

[HopingForJesus]

When I believe I have heard God speak to me on the few occasions that he did directly, I actually believe I heard his voice in my head like a whisper or a clear strong voice on another occasion. When it is my OCD it is ominous, mocking, my own voice and annoying and it repeats itself at times. I also am aware of the feelings I have had when I have experienced God speaking to me as like "wow" because it had real depth and meaning to it. That is my personal experience. God bless.

 

[tripletiger1200]

When God is speaking to me it just feels different. I don't really know how to explain it, but it feels a lot stronger than my OCD thoughts, and it persists in a less nagging, annoying way than OCD. TO me I guess it feels like someone just pulling on your heart in such a strong, relevant manner that it is unmistakeably God. And if God is speaking to you but you are ignoring Him because you think it's the OCD I'm sure He understands, and He is very very capable of getting His words across to you.

 

[kaykay9.0]

I still struggle with this aspect of OCD too. Sometimes if it truly feels like OCD to us, we have to just take the risk that it IS OCD and live with the uncertainty. That's what OCD hates to do, but to treat the OCD we usually do have to do this at some level or the OCD would eventually run our lives completely. Does that make sense?

 

[gracealone]

"God is not the author of confusion" - OCD is. It's not only the author of confusion, it causes tremendous feelings of guilt and extreme anxiety in response to a doubt or question. Then it creates an intolerable feeling of uncertainty which then in turn causes the sufferer to engage in an endless search for the perfect answer which they think will lay it all to rest. If that's what's happening in response to a thought then I go ahead and label it OCD and treat it accordingly.
Mitzi

Just a basic question for those with scrupulosity OCD:

How can you tell if a thought is OCD versus actually God "speaking" to you?

I mean most occasions, it feels like the first time over and over again. Even for those thoughts that are nearly similar to any other OCD thought, always makes me wonder "Well, maybe it's really God this time?"

What are some clues you look for to help you say, "Wait a second, this isn't God. It's just OCD."

Any takers?

-Hermit