Obsession with certainty

[Archaeopteryx]

As I have come to realise, I'm obsessed with being certain - particularly when it comes to theology. Over the past few months, I've been researching various theological concepts throughout the major monothestic religions and I have continuously found more and more questions than answers. I believe in Christ - the supreme revelation of divine love. Yet, every so often I fall into the trap of doubt and search and search for answers to reaffirm my belief. I feel terrible at this, because it inhibits me from celebrating my faith naturally and instead of providing affirmation, only offers challenge and confusion. Does anyone have the same problem with their beliefs? The feeling of doubt and insecurity that consistently arises.

 

[SkyCloud]

Well, from my personal experiences, that's one of the classic symptoms of OCD, which is trying to be certain about things.

I've noticed that when I feel normal, I don't try to be certain about things. But when I'm suffering from OCD, then I want to be certain about things. I would end up saying the same thing over and over just to make certain I said it.

Try not to obsess about anything, including trying to be certain about so many things.

God Bless You

Dan

 

[gracealone]

Yes...well said Dan, and learning to properly respond to the demands of OCD thinking is to be willing to live with uncertainty.
Furthermore.. nothing of real value can be proved in a scientific way. We can never be certain even of the love of our best and dearest friends. We can be persuaded that they love us by their actions but we cannot prove it.
There is sooo much about God that we don't know. Trying to understand everything about Him would be akin to picking up a paper cup and heading out drink up the Ocean.
But aside from all that. Dan is correct in telling you that what OCD does is keep us always questioning and doubting and ooking for reassurance.. then when we spend endless hours ruminating about our doubts, trying to solve them, debating with them.. we only make matters worse. OCD is dealt with by learning to live with uncertainty.
Thankfully my weak faith is in a faithful God. For faith is not found in me but in who He is toward me.
Praying for you .
Mitzi

 

[Mrs. Enigma]

As I have come to realise, I'm obsessed with being certain - particularly when it comes to theology. Over the past few months, I've been researching various theological concepts throughout the major monothestic religions and I have continuously found more and more questions than answers. I believe in Christ - the supreme revelation of divine love. Yet, every so often I fall into the trap of doubt and search and search for answers to reaffirm my belief. I feel terrible at this, because it inhibits me from celebrating my faith naturally and instead of providing affirmation, only offers challenge and confusion. Does anyone have the same problem with their beliefs? The feeling of doubt and insecurity that consistently arises.

Ya, I have that same exact problem. Over the years I think I have done TONS of studying...needing to have everything all figured out and down pat etc...

But I just got more and more uncertain, and kept finding bothersome things, that make me uncomfortable.

 

[ObsessedButBlessed]

In a book that I highly recommend (Overcoming Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Jonathan Grayson), he says that OCD patients often go into treatment, saying they are willing to live with uncertainty but hope through therapy that they will somehow gain certainty by having their fears/doubts/obsessions dispelled.

When I read this, I felt like he was talking to me. Like you, I am also obsessed with certainty. I had a hard time getting married because nobody could promise me that it would work out for certain in the end! I tend to choose safe things in life because they are more certain. I have gone into therapy a TON of times over the past few years, hoping to somehow gain certainty that my obsessions are false.

Surrenduring to uncertainty is painful, but I think it's paramount in overcoming OCD. I'm still learning how to do this, and it's hard.

 

[scraparcs]

As I have come to realise, I'm obsessed with being certain - particularly when it comes to theology. Over the past few months, I've been researching various theological concepts throughout the major monothestic religions and I have continuously found more and more questions than answers. I believe in Christ - the supreme revelation of divine love. Yet, every so often I fall into the trap of doubt and search and search for answers to reaffirm my belief. I feel terrible at this, because it inhibits me from celebrating my faith naturally and instead of providing affirmation, only offers challenge and confusion. Does anyone have the same problem with their beliefs? The feeling of doubt and insecurity that consistently arises.

Yes, and of course I look like some sort of terrible follower for it because I'm always doubting. I get the feeling other Christians don't want those who struggle with this around sometimes.