It could be a blessing.....

[Migdala]

I've suffered horribly with my OCD for years now, and I've noticed the different things I've obsessed on. Mostly it's doubting that I got saved "the right way". I still struggle with that one at times. Then it went to obsessing over the "true" name of Jesus and God-I was stuck on that for several months, and tried so hard to figure out His "real" name. I could not stop obsessing over it.

Then my brain shifted to another thing-commiting the unpardonable sin. That's what I've been stuck on now, for a very long time.

Ok, so I guess what I'm wondering is whether anyone has noticed whether anything "triggers" the obsessions? Because if we could figure out what triggers the thoughts, we could possibly figure out how to switch it to something that would benefit us, rather than cause more doubt and fear....

For instance, if I could figure out how to focus my obsessive thoughts on SALVATION, and God's blessings, I would be doing a whole lot better than where I am now, focusing on whether or not God will ever forgive me for a sin I committed last year that has caused severe torment in my mind.

Like, if someone watched a horror movie where someone got killed by a chain saw, then they might develop an obsession with chain saws.....

So is it possible to focus on something that is going to HELP us in following Jesus?

 

[tripletiger1200]

Well, with the way OCD works in terms of brain chemistry, your brain will keep firing off warning signals that keep unpleasant and irritating thoughts on your mind. As far as I can tell, you'd probably have to fear or dislike the thought of salvation to make it an obsession, but that's only based on some inferences from the limited reading I have done. There may be a way to obsess over the good, but I wouldn't know where to start.
I'm not trying to discourage you from trying to do this though, because if you could manage to figure something out then you would have stumbled on to something great.

 

[gracealone]

Yep,
I totally agree with you tripletiger. OCD is definitely a fear based disorder which gets it's fuel from an overabundance of fight or flight chemistry.
But... fixing our minds on the positive aspect of our Christiantity and even better than that actually doing those things which please God are good distractions from the fear. I don't mean doing them in a compulsive way in order to undo the bad thoughts or somehow earn points with God. I just mean turning our attention to things that are more profitable and pleasant while allowing the thoughts to just be there in the background.
Mitzi

Well, with the way OCD works in terms of brain chemistry, your brain will keep firing off warning signals that keep unpleasant and irritating thoughts on your mind. As far as I can tell, you'd probably have to fear or dislike the thought of salvation to make it an obsession, but that's only based on some inferences from the limited reading I have done. There may be a way to obsess over the good, but I wouldn't know where to start.
I'm not trying to discourage you from trying to do this though, because if you could manage to figure something out then you would have stumbled on to something great.

 

[OCD=Owie]

Yep,
I totally agree with you tripletiger. OCD is definitely a fear based disorder which gets it's fuel from an overabundance of fight or flight chemistry.
But... fixing our minds on the positive aspect of our Christiantity and even better than that actually doing those things which please God are good distractions from the fear. I don't mean doing them in a compulsive way in order to undo the bad thoughts or somehow earn points with God. I just mean turning our attention to things that are more profitable and pleasant while allowing the thoughts to just be there in the background.
Mitzi

I agree with both of you. OCD is an anxiety disorder. You only have obsessions over things that you fear.

However, focusing on things other than you OCD fears is a great idea.