OCD and Loving God.

[KiranLee]

Hi everyone,
I have not seen anyone with this obsession. So I figured I would ask about this for two reasons, to let others know their aren't the only one with this problem and to get advice.
I know this is an obsession and I am curious how I need to react to it.
I keep fearing that I don't love God more than for example writing(which I don't love at all I simply like it) or reading.
So, I sit around thinking about all the reasons I do love God more and all the examples and proofs of it. But even when I do this a "block" pops up and I cannot feel certain these things are true and then all the emotions I feel for Him tends to freeze and I can't feel anything.
Then I fear I won't stop using it if He wanted me to and I know God would make sure I would because I want to if that is necessary but it is like this block of terror comes over me and I fear "what if I don't" coupled with nasty feelings.
Then that results in me refusing to do anything related to whatever I'm concerned about.
Does anyone have any advice on how to face this?

 

[GaveMeJoy]

Hi everyone,
I have not seen anyone with this obsession. So I figured I would ask about this for two reasons, to let others know their aren't the only one with this problem and to get advice.
I know this is an obsession and I am curious how I need to react to it.
I keep fearing that I don't love God more than for example writing(which I don't love at all I simply like it) or reading.
So, I sit around thinking about all the reasons I do love God more and all the examples and proofs of it. But even when I do this a "block" pops up and I cannot feel certain these things are true and then all the emotions I feel for Him tends to freeze and I can't feel anything.
Then I fear I won't stop using it if He wanted me to and I know God would make sure I would because I want to if that is necessary but it is like this block of terror comes over me and I fear "what if I don't" coupled with nasty feelings.
Then that results in me refusing to do anything related to whatever I'm concerned about.
Does anyone have any advice on how to face this?

Hello,
I also have obsessive compulsions, and it sometimes affects my walk with the lord. For example I fixate on various things to the exclusion of spiritual disciplines (praying, reading word, etc.) and have to try and fight it. However, my OCD tendencies and ability to hyper focus have been a blessing in my career and when I do ministry (right now I’m launching a Christian podcast).
I suggest praying for relief, asking God to remove your fear and doubt, and then praying for God to align your thoughts and desires to his. Also if you can find something you obsess over and turn it into ministry that’s a bonus (like my show!!!)
Be encouraged, the scriptures say we can’t pray how we should, and the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf even when we don’t have the words!!!!

 

[Dave G.]

This kind of love of God isn't found in a feeling but action. I don't have OCD but I can tell you because of dealing with some who do that what you are experiencing is not just you. It seems pretty universal especially in more severe cases. But again, this love of God is not found in feelings. Jesus said "if you love me you will follow my commands". He didn't say you would feel warm and fuzzy for Him. He said too that loving God and your neighbor fulfills the law. A good look into Gods kind of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. And if you look close at that, you OCD folks who stick with the Lord may well be displaying more love than some of us without OCD. God bless you guys !!!!

Another thing OCD folks suffer from is false condemnation and not believing they are saved. Again these things are proven by actions in believing what is written in scripture not in feelings.

Finally, God knows you guys condition, He understands your position with Him in spite of that way better than any of us can. Best I can offer for now. But again, God bless you guys !

 

[Tania11]

Yep. I agree with Dave

 

[Tania11]

I had this. This is from OCD. You over analyzed your emotions. The fact that you even notice this problem, shows your concern and love for God

 

[KiranLee]

Hello,
I also have obsessive compulsions, and it sometimes affects my walk with the lord. For example I fixate on various things to the exclusion of spiritual disciplines (praying, reading word, etc.) and have to try and fight it. However, my OCD tendencies and ability to hyper focus have been a blessing in my career and when I do ministry (right now I’m launching a Christian podcast).
I suggest praying for relief, asking God to remove your fear and doubt, and then praying for God to align your thoughts and desires to his. Also if you can find something you obsess over and turn it into ministry that’s a bonus (like my show!!!)
Be encouraged, the scriptures say we can’t pray how we should, and the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf even when we don’t have the words!!!!

Thank you so much for the encouragement! Congratulations on your podcast as well, I hope I can use my struggles to help others as well.

 

[KiranLee]

This kind of love of God isn't found in a feeling but action. I don't have OCD but I can tell you because of dealing with some who do that what you are experiencing is not just you. It seems pretty universal especially in more severe cases. But again, this love of God is not found in feelings. Jesus said "if you love me you will follow my commands". He didn't say you would feel warm and fuzzy for Him. He said too that loving God and your neighbor fulfills the law. A good look into Gods kind of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. And if you look close at that, you OCD folks who stick with the Lord may well be displaying more love than some of us without OCD. God bless you guys !!!!

Another thing OCD folks suffer from is false condemnation and not believing they are saved. Again these things are proven by actions in believing what is written in scripture not in feelings.

Finally, God knows you guys condition, He understands your position with Him in spite of that way better than any of us can. Best I can offer for now. But again, God bless you guys !

Thank you Dave, ocd can be a real nightmare but God stands strong when we are weak. I believe this obsession is one of the more sticky one of mine because it is one I desperately don't want to happen. Accepting uncertainty is a part of facing ocd but it is a part I do not like but I must trust God to handle the present and future. If there is something I have tried to do (for example making certain I love God more than anything)but am not sure I have succeeded I need to trust God to handle it. Because there's no way I'll ever convince OCD of anything.
For me, that is a hard pill to swallow.
Thank you for the emcouragement and the definition of biblical love.

 

[KiranLee]

I had this. This is from OCD. You over analyzed your emotions. The fact that you even notice this problem, shows your concern and love for God

Thank you Tania, how did you end up facing that obession? This in particular one has been a long running one for me.

 

[Tania11]

Thank you Tania, how did you end up facing that obession? This in particular one has been a long running one for me.

I have scrupulosity and always doubted my salvation. I figured I never loved God or truly believed in Him, etc. One day I couldn't even think about Him or whether I had faith. My mind was fuzzy and spent.
This happens when you over check your walk with God. You care so much you make yourself numb.

Don't worry your feelings are quite common with OCD.

Talk to Him naturally like in the Psalms. He understands what you're going through.

 

[GaveMeJoy]

Thank you so much for the encouragement! Congratulations on your podcast as well, I hope I can use my struggles to help others as well.

I’m working on an episode on mental illnesses. If you would like me to include your testimony in the episode (anonymously or by name), feel free to record yourself speaking it and send me a message and I’ll give you my email so far we have anxiety and depression folks recorded

 

[Froggymom101]

Remember that God loves us perfectly and is most patient with us. He is not a God of fear but of power and a sound mind (1Timothy 1:7). Keep praying ad asking for His help with this problem (Matthew 7:7-8). Our love for God is something that should grow more and more as we journey through life and He will help us with that if we ask. Be at peace.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I
Talk to Him naturally like in the Psalms. He understands what you're going through.

Indeed, the Psalms are a great resource.

 

[Tania11]

@KiranLee found this videos helpful

 

[Mari17]

Hi everyone,
I have not seen anyone with this obsession. So I figured I would ask about this for two reasons, to let others know their aren't the only one with this problem and to get advice.
I know this is an obsession and I am curious how I need to react to it.
I keep fearing that I don't love God more than for example writing(which I don't love at all I simply like it) or reading.
So, I sit around thinking about all the reasons I do love God more and all the examples and proofs of it. But even when I do this a "block" pops up and I cannot feel certain these things are true and then all the emotions I feel for Him tends to freeze and I can't feel anything.
Then I fear I won't stop using it if He wanted me to and I know God would make sure I would because I want to if that is necessary but it is like this block of terror comes over me and I fear "what if I don't" coupled with nasty feelings.
Then that results in me refusing to do anything related to whatever I'm concerned about.
Does anyone have any advice on how to face this?

Your obsession is that you love worldly things too much. Your compulsions are finding examples and proofs that you do love God. But when you look too hard for a feeling, you often can't find it. So, like Tania said, you're over-checking your emotions (a common thing to do with OCD). The key is to NOT do your compulsions....that is, to continue doing your hobbies and not avoid them, to ignore your fears and refuse to try to reason out how you love God more, etc. It feels wrong to go against something that feels like it's from our conscience, but there's a difference between conscience and OCD, and usually we can kind of feel the difference. So if something feels like OCD, our task is to practice not being obsessive by not doing our compulsions. Here are a couple of blog posts related to this topic, which I've found helpful:
DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS – OCD & CHRISTIANITY
OBSESSIONS ARE LIKE LAWYERS – OCD & CHRISTIANITY
23rd PSALM – OCD & CHRISTIANITY