obsessive thoughts and responsibility

[lutherangerman]

Hello again,

I wanted to ask you, what is the best way to handle obsessive thoughts and responsibility? I suffer from obsessive thoughts since 2006 and it's been bad sometimes. The problems range from light obsessions about numbers and letters words, to heavy religious obsessions about the devil, demons, sins, blasphemies, etc. I have quiet and clear moments, but sooner or later I am always falling into the obsessions. I try to write a lot to remedy this and I think I am writing with clarity and sense, it's like paper and computer became a kind of extra brain for me.

The real issue for me today is, must I regard the obsessive thoughts as crimes for which I need forgiveness or judgment, or can I see them like the pains of an illness? In my heart I never want to blaspheme God, for example. When I try to take responsibility I usually end up totally confused and as if I have become crazy. So basically I am always trying to tell myself the obsessions are like dirt under my feet and they're not me, that's all. But when you think about it, suppose I'd be stealing a lot of money from a friend and then say I've been mentally ill! Maybe the Judge would say, you are mentally ill, go to your doctor. But the crime has been done and I feel like I also must take responsibility for my obsessions. I'm not sure if God maybe simply sees them as lame excuses.

But when I examine all of this again, it's like horror. It's like a hornet stings me and someone says it must be my own fault. It's like someone beats me up and not him but me become convicted. That's why I do not know what to think now. My doctor gives me medicine but it's not working so well and I often have fears.

Thanks for your advices in advance.

 

[FireDragon76]

No, you should not take responsibility for obsessive thoughts.

I used to have this problem years ago but learning about Lutheran theology has helped me a great deal, because Luther himself dealt with something similar because he was also introspective. Finding a pastor or resource that can instruct you is important, and then it's important to take what they say seriously. Here is a blog about religious worry from a Lutheran perspective: http://thescrupeblog.blogspot.com/

A psychotherapist, not just a doctor, may also be of help to you to talk about your worries. Sometimes medicine does not give you the tools to deal with these problems.

Physical activities like chores are very useful when you feel anxiety, like washing dishes by hand or house cleaning. So is getting enough exercise, or playing games. Anything that takes you away from rumination or thinking too much about your problems.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Meditate Philippians 4.

 

[bcbsr]

Hello again,

I wanted to ask you, what is the best way to handle obsessive thoughts and responsibility? I suffer from obsessive thoughts since 2006 and it's been bad sometimes. The problems range from light obsessions about numbers and letters words, to heavy religious obsessions about the devil, demons, sins, blasphemies, etc. I have quiet and clear moments, but sooner or later I am always falling into the obsessions. I try to write a lot to remedy this and I think I am writing with clarity and sense, it's like paper and computer became a kind of extra brain for me.

The real issue for me today is, must I regard the obsessive thoughts as crimes for which I need forgiveness or judgment, or can I see them like the pains of an illness? In my heart I never want to blaspheme God, for example. When I try to take responsibility I usually end up totally confused and as if I have become crazy. So basically I am always trying to tell myself the obsessions are like dirt under my feet and they're not me, that's all. But when you think about it, suppose I'd be stealing a lot of money from a friend and then say I've been mentally ill! Maybe the Judge would say, you are mentally ill, go to your doctor. But the crime has been done and I feel like I also must take responsibility for my obsessions. I'm not sure if God maybe simply sees them as lame excuses.

But when I examine all of this again, it's like horror. It's like a hornet stings me and someone says it must be my own fault. It's like someone beats me up and not him but me become convicted. That's why I do not know what to think now. My doctor gives me medicine but it's not working so well and I often have fears.

Thanks for your advices in advance.

Major on the majors. Direct your obsessive thoughts to what is important. Study the scriptues, particularly the New Testament Epistles as they get to the point. Memorize, Meditate. Emphasize what they emphasize and apply yourself to that which is important in the Christian life as covered in the epistles.

 

[1am3laine]

Hello again,

I wanted to ask you, what is the best way to handle obsessive thoughts and responsibility? I suffer from obsessive thoughts since 2006 and it's been bad sometimes. The problems range from light obsessions about numbers and letters words, to heavy religious obsessions about the devil, demons, sins, blasphemies, etc. I have quiet and clear moments, but sooner or later I am always falling into the obsessions. I try to write a lot to remedy this and I think I am writing with clarity and sense, it's like paper and computer became a kind of extra brain for me.

The real issue for me today is, must I regard the obsessive thoughts as crimes for which I need forgiveness or judgment, or can I see them like the pains of an illness? In my heart I never want to blaspheme God, for example. When I try to take responsibility I usually end up totally confused and as if I have become crazy. So basically I am always trying to tell myself the obsessions are like dirt under my feet and they're not me, that's all. But when you think about it, suppose I'd be stealing a lot of money from a friend and then say I've been mentally ill! Maybe the Judge would say, you are mentally ill, go to your doctor. But the crime has been done and I feel like I also must take responsibility for my obsessions. I'm not sure if God maybe simply sees them as lame excuses.

But when I examine all of this again, it's like horror. It's like a hornet stings me and someone says it must be my own fault. It's like someone beats me up and not him but me become convicted. That's why I do not know what to think now. My doctor gives me medicine but it's not working so well and I often have fears.

Thanks for your advices in advance.

Yes, many people suffer from hearing blasphemous thoughts even children. To get rid of them you must pray MASSIVELY, fasting, and get hands laid on you by Holy Spirit filled people.
(Mark 16:17-18, 2 Corinthians 10:5)
Everyone hears voices but some people hear them too much to the point they can't work or go to school. That's when you have to put the blood of JESUS on it.

For some people, it only takes days for them to leave, others years but I assure you they do leave.
Long as you don't agree with the blasphemous thoughts then you're fine.

 

[lutherangerman]

Thanks for the comments.

The lutheran blog is rather cool. It helped me.