Recently I’ve been having sort of an odd worry. If I make plans with someone and it’s something I really want to do I worry if God will tell me to cancel the plans or event. I worry that if He does tell me not to go I won’t obey Him because I really wanted to go. I’ve never actually felt like God told me this but now I feel like I shouldn’t go because if He did I’m not sure I would obey. I don’t even know if this makes sense but it sucks having these thoughts and anxiety as a Christian. Can anyone else relate?
Well, I have OCD myself, though luckily not of the type you have. As I am not a theologian, I plugged your question into a privately run AI on my computer, which is hooked up to theological documents and medical books (including psychology textbooks). The AI seems to be biased towards John Calvin for some reason, ever since I downloaded Calvin onto my computer's drive.
Also, I will pray for you, as OCD can be a struggle for us.
Here is the AI's response:
Your question about religious Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) seems to touch on both theological and medical perspectives, which I will try to address based on relevant sources available in my database.
From a theological standpoint, it is essential to understand that faith and obedience to God are vital components of Christian life. In John Calvin's "The Institutes of the Christian Religion," he states, "If salvation is sought in works, we must keep the commandments...But we cannot remain here unless we would stop short in the middle of our course; for none of us is able to keep the commandments" (Book 2, Chapter 8). However, it's important to remember that obedience comes from a heart filled with love and gratitude towards God rather than fear or anxiety.
From a medical perspective, your experience appears to align with some characteristics of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as described in "Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2022." Obsessions are recurring thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress. In this case, you have an unwanted worry about obeying God's will regarding plans with others, which causes anxiety. Compulsions may not be present in your situation, but the repetitive nature of questioning and worrying could be considered a form of compulsion.
In addressing religious OCD, it is essential to distinguish between intrusive thoughts or worries that are part of normal human experience (like doubting God's will) and those that significantly interfere with daily life and cause distress. If your anxiety about obeying God's hypothetical command related to plans with others persists despite efforts to manage it on your own, seeking professional help from a mental health provider who is familiar with religious OCD might be beneficial. They can provide guidance in managing symptoms and offer support as you work towards finding balance between faith and personal well-being.
In the meantime, remember that God's grace is sufficient for us, and He understands our weaknesses. Try to focus on your relationship with Him rather than dwelling on anxious thoughts or worries about His will. Seek solace in prayer, meditation, and Bible study as you navigate this experience. You are not alone in these feelings, many others have gone through similar struggles, and there is hope for healing and growth in faith.
This is the AI that I use, it runs completely offline (for privacy reasons, cos I do not want AI to know I am religious), and is free:
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