needing some input

Hi J,

One of my big problems is yo-yo-ing back and forth between trust in and bitterness towards God, over never knowing what I'm supposed to do in a situation that seems vague, and feeling like He "won't tell me"

Hi J.
I completely agree that just hearing that someone else understands what it feels like to struggle with OCD of this nature is comforting and encouraging especially when so many of the people on this forum are so incredibly loving and compassionate.
When my OCD was bad I would try and ascertain whether or not I was praying with sincerity or whether I was just going through the motions in order to reassure myself. Prayer also got really hard because when I did my OCD would usually suggest all sorts of rotten things to me while I was trying to communicate with God. Praying would trigger the spikes. Then things would get foggy and confusing and I just felt too anxious and emotional to really pray with any confidence that I was even making sense. I'm glad for Romans 8 and in particular verses 26 & 27. Because I knew that in this situation the Spirit of Christ would intercede for me when I felt incapable of it myself. There are times when the suffering of this disorder can be so intense that all we can do is to cry - "Help! Abba!" But we have an advocate with the Father and He knows the depth of our pain as well as just what it is we are struggling to express and therefore He expresses our needs perfectly when we can't.
There will come a day when you will be able to pray with joy and confidence again and when you do you will mostly be praising Him for He is so worthy of all praise. Meanwhile.. "Help Abba!"
Praying for you,
Mitzi

OCDyeahyouknowme said:

Hey guys, I have been struggeling a little in my prayer life. As in while I pray. And I can account some of it for ocd. But I have learned, atleast for me, one of the best ways of therapy for this is to listen to other peoples struggles. That way I know im not the only one struggling, and I know you are struggle as well, but it good to hear from some that struggles with the exact thing. So if you guys could, you can post on here, or just private message me, I would appreciate you guys to share with me some of your struggles in praying that you go throught that you think is ocd related. In detail, or just breif. Thanks


in His service
J. Grimm

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J,

It does help knowing that we're not alone in this. Sometimes when I'm in class or whatever I'll get this awkward feeling that I'm physically alone but I remember you guys and it truly helps to know that not only are we going through similar experiences (even though the thoughts suck), but that we're able to talk to each other and communicate! God is truly good because I can't imagine what it'd feel like if we didnt have that opportunity. John B and Mitzi I been in your boats and its so good to hear that I'm not alone. Mitzi is right, sometimes the pain and guilt and embarrassment of the thoughts is so unbearable that I just have to stop everything and talk with God and pray and lay down for a while. And He is there listening to my every cry and He feels my every pain. I can only image what He feels like, because I know of mothers who describe when their child is sick and how all they can do is think about their child's pain and they don't want to do nothing else but be there for them. If a mother can feel that then God can and does feel the same for us. Sometimes we just have to pray to Him and tell Him what's wrong and what bothers us. And just talk and tell Him we don't like these thoughts and these thoughts, even though He already knows, just to get it off our chest and tell Him which ones bother us feels so good. He loves us so much and I know He is proud that despite this, we are not giving up and still want to get closer to Him. Whenever I have this pain of these thoughts I remember you guys and I pray for all who all suffering because I know it's hard. Pray, praise, and continue to read the Word.

Luke 6: 47-48

I will show you what everyone is like who comes to me and hears my words and obeys. That person is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the floods came, the water tried to wash the house away, but it could not shake it, because the house was built well.

These thoughts cannot and will not exalt themselves over the word of God. No matter how we feel, find comfort in knowing that we will not perish because our foundation lies in Him and not our feelings. Praise be to God!

Even if our OCD is affected, we should continue to persevere in prayer and Bible reading, right? It can be difficult but God promises His Word doesn't return void and that His Word transforms lives so I have to believe it. I pray for the day when the Word of God eclipses my feelings...

Yes Seymour... right on! It shows forth your obedience and allegiance to God and that even though the OCD makes it miserable to do so you will do it any way.
It also puts the OCD in it's place. You aren't letting it buffalo you into avoiding those things which cause you to spike. Having that "bring it on" attitude about our OCD is the perfect stance.
There will come a day when you can read The Word again without spiking. The more you do it the more you are teaching your brain to "get used to it."
Great Post and great choices!
Mitzi

seymourfaith said:

Even if our OCD is affected, we should continue to persevere in prayer and Bible reading, right? It can be difficult but God promises His Word doesn't return void and that His Word transforms lives so I have to believe it. I pray for the day when the Word of God eclipses my feelings...

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AMEN !

Stay in the word always.

Luke 6:47-48 I will show you what everyone is like who comes to me and hears my words and obeys. That person is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the floods came, the water tried to wash the house away, but it could not shake it, because the house was built well.

When our foundation is on the word of God, nothing can knock us down. The floods-- whether it be OCD, trials and tribulations, science trying to disclaim our Savior--will not knock us down. Nothing can seperate us from the love of God. We have to stay in His word because it is the only thing that stands. Our feelings deceive us, people deceive, seasons change, people change, but not matter what God's word is still true and never changes. He is not a liar, but just and righteous and loving and I love Him for that.

! Praise be to our Lord, for He is mighty and worthy to be praised =]

Thank you both for always sharing encouraging words. Please pray for me...I am still in the Word but sometimes compulsively. Like when I am praying or reading the Bible I feel okay but when I go to work (and cannot be in the Word for 8 hours) I struggle tremendously with bombarding thoughts. I wish I could stay home and just be in the Word all day but that's not really practical...I know this battle is spiritual as well, and I feel like my guard is down at work, etc. Please pray for strength and courage for me and please pray that I don't keep letting myself get knocked down so easily (by these thoughts). THanks!

I am praying for you Seymour as I'm sure you are praying for many of us on this forum. What a priviledge to intercede for one another. I'm so thankful for the folk on this forum. They are literally and most assurdedly a God Send.
The Lord is already teaching you so much through this trial. Your steadfastness to him and his word is very evident to me.
Blessings,
Mitzi

seymourfaith said:

Thank you both for always sharing encouraging words. Please pray for me...I am still in the Word but sometimes compulsively. Like when I am praying or reading the Bible I feel okay but when I go to work (and cannot be in the Word for 8 hours) I struggle tremendously with bombarding thoughts. I wish I could stay home and just be in the Word all day but that's not really practical...I know this battle is spiritual as well, and I feel like my guard is down at work, etc. Please pray for strength and courage for me and please pray that I don't keep letting myself get knocked down so easily (by these thoughts). THanks!

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praying for you, seymourfaith...

Like when I am praying or reading the Bible I feel okay but when I go to work (and cannot be in the Word for 8 hours) I struggle tremendously with bombarding thoughts. I wish I could stay home and just be in the Word all day but that's not really practical

Sometimes I just want to spend all day and talk to Him too Seymour and read the word as well but as you said we have daily duties. . .we can talk to Him all day though, whether at work or walking down the street. You can talk to Him and pray wherever you are and although it might not feel that He is where you are when you have the thoughts, He is so much closer than we think. Sometimes I have to remind myself that, like when they come and I feel so far away, but He is right there through the storm with us, like He was with Peter. And will always be. Prayed for you =] And remember the Holy Spirit will bring things to your remembrance.

John 14: 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14: 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.