Please note: This website is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic intervention by qualified professionals; you are advised to seek professional medical advice form an expert.
OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder) can be a debilitating condition. With OCD a person feels that they have to carry out an activity or thought to remain in control of their anxiety level, or to reduce their anxiety. It is similar to phobias, although phobias are a fear of an object or place outside of us, and we control that fear by avoiding things. OCD is an attempt to control our fears or discomfort by organising things of carrying out an activity that you feel will reduce your anxiety. For instance a person can check that the oven is turned off, but just as they are about to walk out of the door they imagine that they have not really turned the oven off, (feeling of fear) so they better go back to make sure, in fact if they check it ten times, then the oven must be off. So they check the oven ten times each time they leave the house, worried that if they don’t carry out this ritual, they will return to a burnt down house, trapped by their own fear. As long as they believe the ritual keeps them safe, anxiety is in control.
20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. John 3:20 NIV
Recognising that this feeling that 'I must carry out my obsessions to keep anxiety away', is avoiding what is really taking place, and what really is taking place is the feeling that we need to carry out our obsessions to keep our anxiety levels low. By doing this we are constantly telling ourselves that we are really in danger if we don’t carry out our obsessions, but in reality are we really in danger? Your body’s nervous system will keep you sensitised as long as you keep telling yourself that you need to carry out these rituals. Should you start to convince yourself that you are not actually in danger and that checking the oven once or twice is fine, and that really it is not necessary to check it ten times. Your nerves start to relax and the perceived danger reduces, and with that so does your anxiety. (Please note: It is best to establish what is recommended for health safety, from official recognised health and safety organisations)
As a Christian we put Jesus in control of our lives, that’s not to say we aren’t careful, we should be, but we live in faith that Jesus is in control, and we learn to trust in him more and more. Jesus wants us safe and healthy not in a state of fear, he will work gently to help us if we let him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation
A simple prayer:
Dear Jesus, I thank you and put my trust in you, you are always at my side even when I am obsessed; I know that you will never let me down, forgive me for the times that I have disappointed you, guide me and teach me, fill me with your power, I pray for healing and peace in the love and assurance that you died and rose again for me, amen
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