OCD Strongholds or both

[JohnnieGuy]

Whenever I think of ANYTHING, I think of the most negative possible thing I can associate with it. Whatever it is, I think the most negative thing I can about it.

This is OCD.

Like I will be with my mom and I get a terrible intrusive violent thought about her. THEN I think about how terrible I am, how I must be possessed and how I cannot possibly be saved.

This is the process that I go through every day.

I got this book called Steps to Freedom in Christ and I started it and I have quit smoking because of it, but I still really wonder how much it has to do with 'the devil' rather than my own self and how I was built (in my mind/attitudes/actions) as a child.

And to be honest I miss smoking a little bit and wonder if that means I'm not saved. I probably quit smoking more because I thought it was the devil controlling me than because I really wanted to. And that makes me think I am not saved.

I don't know, I'm very confused. Please help.

 

[gracealone]

Hey Johnnie,
Our flesh often makes us crave things that are bad for us, but when it's an addiction to a chemical the craving is even worse. That's what that's about so don't feel bad that you crave a cigarette.
OCD grabs onto whatever it can to get us freaking out - that's also caused by goofed up chemistry. The spiritual lessons we learn from OCD have to do with perseverance in suffering and affliction and leaning on God's grace. We don't have to be rid of our OCD for God to work in and through us. Remember that it is often in weakness and affliction that God does His best work. That's because it's done in His strength and not our own.
Praying for you.
Mitzi

Whenever I think of ANYTHING, I think of the most negative possible thing I can associate with it. Whatever it is, I think the most negative thing I can about it.

This is OCD.

Like I will be with my mom and I get a terrible intrusive violent thought about her. THEN I think about how terrible I am, how I must be possessed and how I cannot possibly be saved.

This is the process that I go through every day.

I got this book called Steps to Freedom in Christ and I started it and I have quit smoking because of it, but I still really wonder how much it has to do with 'the devil' rather than my own self and how I was built (in my mind/attitudes/actions) as a child.

And to be honest I miss smoking a little bit and wonder if that means I'm not saved. I probably quit smoking more because I thought it was the devil controlling me than because I really wanted to. And that makes me think I am not saved.

I don't know, I'm very confused. Please help.

 

[keryakos]

Whenever I think of ANYTHING, I think of the most negative possible thing I can associate with it. Whatever it is, I think the most negative thing I can about it.

This is OCD.

Like I will be with my mom and I get a terrible intrusive violent thought about her. THEN I think about how terrible I am, how I must be possessed and how I cannot possibly be saved.

This is the process that I go through every day.

I got this book called Steps to Freedom in Christ and I started it and I have quit smoking because of it, but I still really wonder how much it has to do with 'the devil' rather than my own self and how I was built (in my mind/attitudes/actions) as a child.

And to be honest I miss smoking a little bit and wonder if that means I'm not saved. I probably quit smoking more because I thought it was the devil controlling me than because I really wanted to. And that makes me think I am not saved.

I don't know, I'm very confused. Please help.

johnnie this is classic ocd and the devil plays his role too but i think you can chalk it mostly up to mental illness

 

[JohnnieGuy]

Going to church and taking control of your thoughts to the obedience of Christ sure helps.

Also, I highly recommend just RESTING in Jesus every day. Just give up and rest in Him for a few minutes, it will change you.

 

[seymourfaith]

This might sound dumb but how do you just rest in Jesus. I find my mind going in so many loops (OCD) lately I just get frustrated. I keep trying to fix myself...

 

[RuthD]

I believe you are always with Christ and you can talk to him and pray to him. I hope your confusion will go away soon. OCD is so hard to endure without seeing a doctor. I take meds for it and feel better than I did. I went through a total nightmare when I was not treated yet. God bless you.

 

[nepal48]

i wonder the same thing...how can i rest and even talk to God when my brain won't just shut up??

 

[shelovesChrist]

Mathew 11: 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

When you want rest, go to Him. Spend time with Him and read the word, and you will find rest. Some days the thoughts get so bad I just have to stop everything and read the word and talk to Him and tell Him what's bothering me, even though He knows, just to get it off my chest. I tell Him what's bothering me and why and how I want to be sometimes and I find rest in knowing that despite these daily waves: He was and is and will forever be and that calms me down. Sometimes I'll even read the Bible and have gospel music playing in my earphones and the more you read of Him and His love, the more you feel better. =] It's great to have a Savior who loves us despite our ways and wants to help better us and teach us and protect us and I love Him and will always forever. Continue to pray for each other and keep each other in our prayers.