Spritituality and intrusive thoughts?

Question

I have had recent intrusive thoughts. I'm scared this will affect my spirituality. Any advice? I feel guilty and the mare guilt I feel the more I think about the thought and I fear this will upset God, and will hurt my relationship with him. Please, any advice? Thank you so much.

This is what intrusive thoughts are...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrusive_thoughts

I feel guilty at myslef for thinking these things as much as I don't want to think about them I still do and that gets me mad. I don't ever want to do these things I do think and I jst get mad atmyself for thinking these things. I don't want to talk to the person whom I had these thoughts about...like I had thoughts about my family and I felt uncomfortable talking to them. I felt depressed... i didn't want to live...I felt worthless...but I never had SERIOUS thoughts about suicide, or ever attempted it..and I know I never will.

Answer 1

Hey there!

It is OCD... I have had OCD for a VERY long time.. As well as most of my family, both of my brothers... One of my brothers as well as me, deal with feeling of feeling unworthy before Jehovah. This is due to thoughts or things in our past... All I can do is tell you to PRAY! I pray all the time asking Jehovah to help me with my OCD! It is a hard thing to live with!!! I have a friend who sister has OCD and she was worried that she may had sinned against the Holy Spirit, she even went to the Elders... It was all OCD.. These thoughts, you want to put out of your mind, but you can't.. You try,and the more you try, the more you are lingering and thinking about them... Then you start worrying about the fact that they are there. Then you start worrying about your relationship with Jehovah.. I know, I have been there... I am ALWAYS there... I have to pray all the time for help with it! Jehovah does give me strength to deal with it.. :)) He WILL help you! It is a disease of self doubt and it is NO fun! I hope this helps you some! Please hang in there... Here is an article taken from the Awake 96 2/8 20-22 It talks about thoughts we have...
Hang in there!

Compulsive Behavior—Does It Control Your Life?

“I wake up at 6 o’clock every morning,” says Keith. “My alarm clock is automatically set for 6 o’clock. I know that it’s set. I never change it. Yet, I have to keep checking it. Each night I look at it at least five times before I go to bed. And the knobs on the stove—I have to make sure that each one is turned off. I can see that they’re off, but I have to go back and look once, twice, three times—just to make sure. Then I have to check the refrigerator door, again and again, to make sure it’s closed. Then there’s the screen door lock, and the two locks on the main door of the house . . .”

KEITH suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), defined as a debilitating condition characterized by uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and actions (compulsions). A person with OCD feels that these obsessions and compulsions are completely involuntary. It is as if they force their way in and take over.

Every human occasionally experiences unwanted thoughts and urges. But with OCD these become so persistent and repetitive that they disrupt normal life and cause severe discomfort, sometimes resulting in depression. “The constant mental battle prompted me to contemplate suicide,” says one sufferer. Consider some symptoms of this baffling malady.

Seeing Is Not Believing

When Bruce drives his car over a bump, a sickening dread overwhelms him. ‘What if I just ran over a pedestrian?’ he asks himself. The feeling grows until he simply must return to the scene of the “crime” and check—not just once but repeatedly! Of course, Bruce does not find an injured pedestrian. Still, he is not sure! So when he gets home, he watches the news for reports of a hit-and-run accident. He even calls the police to “confess.”

Like Bruce, many with OCD are plagued by doubts: ‘Did I hurt someone? Did I turn off the stove when I left the house? Did I lock the door?’ Most people may at times have similar thoughts, but the person with OCD will check and recheck and still not be satisfied. “My checking patients appear to say ‘knowledge comes from the senses only,’” writes Dr. Judith Rapoport. “Hence the door knob must be turned again and again; the light switched on and off, on and off. These acts bring immediate information, yet it doesn’t get through.”

Clean Isn’t Clean Enough

A 14-year-old boy named Charles was obsessed with the fear of being contaminated by germs. His mother had to clean everything he might touch with rubbing alcohol. Furthermore, Charles feared that visitors would bring in contamination from the street.

Fran had fears while washing her clothes. “If clothes touched the side of the washing machine when I was taking them out,” she says, “they had to be washed all over again.”

Like Charles and Fran, many with OCD have obsessions that center on germs and contamination. This may result in excessive showering or hand-washing, sometimes to the point of producing blisters—yet the sufferer still does not feel clean.

Tormented by the Mind

Elaine is plagued by involuntary disrespectful thoughts toward God. “These are things that I could never mean and would rather die than mean,” she says. Yet, the thoughts persist. “Sometimes from fighting this every day, I am literally exhausted at night.”

Steven makes “vows” to God that are motivated by guilt feelings over his faults. “This tendency grieves me because it seems to come against my will,” he says. “Afterward, my conscience stabs me to carry out what I promised. Because of this, I was once compelled to destroy something of great sentimental value.”

Both Elaine and Steven have obsessions that are largely carried out in the mind. Although their symptoms are not readily observable, those with obsessive thoughts are imprisoned in a cycle of guilt and fear.

These are just some of the many symptoms of OCD. What causes this disorder? How can it be relieved?

Controlling the Uncontrollable

One doctor describes OCD behavior as the result of “a cerebral short circuit” in which sensory information does not register and “the program gets played again and again.” What causes this loop? No one is sure. The neurotransmitter serotonin seems to be involved, but other aspects of the brain are being considered as well. Some say that early life experiences may awaken OCD, perhaps in combination with a genetic predisposition.

Whatever the cause, however, one fact is clear: Simply telling those with OCD to stop washing or to stop checking will likely fail. More than willpower is involved.

Medication has proved helpful to many. Another approach involves exposing the patient to the feared situation and then preventing the usual response. A person with washing rituals, for example, would be required to hold something that is dirty and then refrain from washing. Of course, such treatment does not cure one overnight. But with persistence, some feel that it can provide relief.

Experts have also explored the possibility that, at least in some cases, OCD might be rooted in early life experiences. It has been noted that many mistreated children grow up feeling inherently worthless or dirty, and some of these have subsequently developed compulsive washing rituals.

Relief From Obsessions and Compulsions

If you suffer from OCD, do not feel that you are different or perhaps going insane. “Except for their particular fears,” writes Dr. Lee Baer, “people with OCD remain in touch with reality in all other areas of their lives.” You can be helped! Remember, OCD is a product of imperfection. It is not a sign of moral weakness or spiritual failure! Nor does it indicate God’s disfavor. “Jehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. For he himself well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust.”—Psalm 103:8, 14.

But what if obsessive thoughts seem irreverent or blasphemous? With OCD, repulsive thoughts fuel guilt, and guilt may fuel even more repulsive thoughts. “It makes me very irritable,” says Elaine. “It makes me uptight—thinking all the time that Jehovah may be angry with me.” Some may even feel that their thoughts are tantamount to the unforgivable sin!

However, Jesus’ remarks concerning the unforgivable sin, sin against God’s holy spirit, were clearly not referring to rash, obsessional thoughts. (Matthew 12:31, 32) Jesus directed his comments to the Pharisees. He knew that their attacks were fully intentional. Their deliberate actions came from hearts filled with hatred.

Indeed, concern about one’s having offended God may well be evidence that one has not sinned unforgivably. (Isaiah 66:2) Furthermore, it is reassuring to know that the Creator understands this disorder. He is merciful and “ready to forgive.” (Psalm 86:5; 2 Peter 3:9) Even when our own hearts condemn us, “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” (1 John 3:20) He knows the extent to which thoughts and urges result from a disorder over which one has limited control. The OCD sufferer who realizes this can thus refrain from badgering himself with undue guilt.

How thankful we can be that Jehovah promises a new world in which there will be relief from all physical, mental, and emotional afflictions! (Revelation 21:1-4) Meanwhile, those who must endure this disorder can take practical steps to alleviate their suffering.

Answer 2

Honey this is mild OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), and I think most people suffer from it at one point or another in their lives.

OCD includes intrusive thoughts that foster guilt and shame, even though you cannot control them. It also causes many people to engage in "rituals", like locking the door eight times, or stepping over a threshold with a certain foot, or refusing to use certain types of silverware. Counting and touching things repeatedly are common actions, too.

Intrusive thoughts is a very common one. Like I said, many people struggle with those.

So here is my advice:

1. Stop being worried, guilty, and shamed. The intrusive thoughts thrive on this---it makes them worse.

2. If it is getting to the point where it is bothering you horribly, PLEASE see a couselor. Even a school or pastoral counselor can help, or refer you to someone who can.

3. I have never believed that these intrusive thoughts anger God---if He knows all, then He knows you don't mean that stuff. He knows it's a problem you are struggling with. Drop that guilt!!!!

Good luck :)

Answer 3

If the situation is causing you this much distress you really need to step back and question your basic assumptions. It is possible to control your thoughts but this is the sort of thing that Grandmasters aspire to. You cannot feel guilty about your thoughts. A thought cannot make you a sinner. It is intention that is important. The fact that you respond so negatively should be all the sign you need. Its when you start to savor those thoughts that you should start questioning yourself. Or as they say: a crazy man never questions his sanity.

I don't know who got ahold of you or what they said to you but spirituality is supposed to a good thing. It should bring you comfort, not anxiety. This is clear indicator that someone fed you a lot of not nice stuff. Find someone who knows what they are talking about and get some better ideas of what your faith should be. I don't want to sound presumtuous, but I know a thing or two myself and I'd be happy to help if you'd like. Email me if you want to talk.

Heaven is a state of mind,
Shane

Answer 4

Just try to pray about it as much as possible, that will not only help you spiritually but will also effectivley distract you from thinking about those things as well. Me personally I struggle strongly with those things as well and I see a counselor about it. It helps to let people know how you are feeling and to know that you are not the only one out there who feels these things or has these thoughts. God will not be angry at you, he made you this way, I know it sucks to hear that sometimes, I struggle with the thought that God gave me this propensity for this sort of pain as well; but perhaps it is to let other people like ourselves know that it will be ok. Create mantra's in your head opposite to what you are feeling as well, that helps. Or if you are OCD, try to find something more constructive to be OCD about, energy and thought management is important when it comes to this stuff. Hope this helps you a little

Answer 5

Well. ....I think,, and as mentioned on the site u gave..many people suffer from these thoughts..And the concept pf OCD given on the site was very helpful even to me.
Well, its not always Satan causing these thoughts..But sometimes it is.
In my religion, Islam, there are ways of preventing these thoughts...And even if they occur.. some prayers , I mean some words u recite, to help you overcome those thoughts and images that make you feel evil.

millions of people round the globe have misconceptions bout Islam, and may be you too think that these prayers may be some kind of extremism,,,but let me assure you that True Islam is a solution to all problems of the human kind..It was sent for all the humankind...not just a set of people.

May Allah bless you!(Ameen)

Answer 6

I agree with Suzy. Satan is the cause of these thoughts, however they are involuntary. The problem lies in dwelling on these thoughts and not putting them out of our heads immediatelt. Wrong thoughts and desires start to fill the heart, triggering a deadly chain reaction. “But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death.”—James 1:14, 15
The WT 4/1/86 has this to say," Since “with the heart one exercises faith,” a Christian must do his utmost to safeguard it. (Romans 10:10; Proverbs 4:23) Prayer, meetings, and personal study help us fill our hearts with upbuilding thoughts. True, bad thoughts will enter our minds from time to time. But when they do, we can simply refuse to dwell on them. We should go to Jehovah in prayer immediately if we ever find ourselves tempted to do what is wrong. (Psalm 55:22)

Answer 7

You already know what to do if you are in a Witness family. Go to Jehovah God in prayer. Tell Him about these thoughts, He already knows about them but you still have to tell Him they bother you. Get out the Reasoning Book and see if the nature of these thoughts are there and read about them. Talk to your book study conductor also.

See, there are several things you can do to get them out of your head. Start studying the article for this Sunday's Watchtower or the bible reading. Get your mind on Godly things.

Answer 8

Since I do not know EXACTLY what those thoughts are, I cannot but specualte. At your age those kind of thoughts (if it is about being with someone of the opposite sex) are normal. But it is up to you not to act on them You must keep them in control however and keep in mind Matthew 5:28 (also applies to females). Maybe keeping that scripture in mind along with ferverent prayer will help you. We all have thoughts that cross our mind, but continuing to have those thoughts and doing nothing to try not to, is not good. I have talked to you before and you have my personal e-mail. feel free to e-mail me if you need to talk.

Answer 9

hey atleast ur honest with yourself and honest with God but it needs to enter ur being to know taht God loves you not really the cliche thats used but i mean really inderstand that nothing nothing nothing u ever do will change his love for you he created you you were his idea so he may hate the sin that i do he may detest my actions but God loves you literally to death once you have that security in ur spirit that ur loved no matter what ull find it easier to fight and go that road of fighting intrusive thoughts how do i know ive been there and the part in the bible thats says i die daily was for pple like us to fight daily and live for God daily

Answer 10

Sounds like you might have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It's not a spiritual thing as much as brain chemistry. If so, you should see a psychiatrist about it.

Answer 11

I think most of us have intrusive thoughts from time to time,esp. when we are praying or trying to listen to a sermon at church. It's just Satan trying to distract us. God isn't upset by it. I suggest the book Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. God bless!!