Christians: Guidance?

Question

I have a dillema,

I want to be closer to God, but I have OCD (I'm on medication) and I can't stop thinming negatively. I pray to God to take these thoughts away, but they keep bothering me.

These thoughts are along the lines of "You only want to be close to God for attention", "You don't really believe in God."
"You don't have enough faith" and thoughts that just make me feel down and disappointed.

Then I pray to God to stop them, but when they don't go away, I get really frustrated and don't WANT a relationship.

But I do, yet I can't stop thinking that "All I really want is the IDEA of the religion and relationship" which I'm finding to be true!

But thats not what I trully want or need, and even now, My body automatically "feels down" when I even think about wanting a relationship!

I need help!

P.S: Atheists, I appreciate your concern, but I'm convinced in my own self that there must be a God somewhere. This question is directed at fellow-God followers.

Just so ya know, Ithe Meds HAVE helped. OCD is a genetic trait in my family, and I have Clinical Depression (lack of serotonin in the system) I struglle way more off them then on them, they help me. God gave man the gift of knowledge to create medicine. Meds put nothing in the system that shouldn't allready be there.

But the action stuff, such as "get out and do it" stuff sounds good.

Also: If all Christians have these problems, how do we know that there is a life of Faith to be lead?

Answer 1

you need to answer this questions in the positive,
"you only want to be closer to God for the Attention"
yes of course you do, we all do, we all what attention from those that we love.
we want attention from our parents, and there is nothing wrong with that.
God is our Heavenly Father and He want to be closer to us, for the same reason.
He want us to talk to Him,(prayer) is simply talking to God, sharing our love, wants, desires, and needs with Him.
and of course you believe in God,
when this comes up, simple say, of course i believe in God, the more you say it the less often you will hear, that come into your head.
but relationship and religion are not the same.
even though many people relate a personal relationship with God, with religion.
they are 2 separate thing,
please pray this prayer with me,

God I believe that you are and that Jesus is your Son, that Jesus died for my sins, so that I might have a relationship with you,
Jesus come into my heart, and be the lord of my life, lead me and guide me in the way that I should go, forgive my sins, and be my lord.
for I want to have a personal relationship with you, and you with me,
I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen

EDIT: yes of course we have all had some doubts in the beginning. but as we draw closer to God, the doubt fall away, and are replaced by a stronger faith.
while we start with only a small amount of faith, our faith begans to grow the more we walk in it.

Answer 2

treemeadow,
I also have OCD and depression problems. I am a christian working with similar problems. I started teaching a class at my church and let me tell you...it has worked. The more involved you become, the easier it gets. Do you trust GOD? If so, let HIM lead you into the right direction. When you start doubting yourself or GOD, that is Satan and his little devils working on you. Don't be defeated! I find that hitting something soft, such as my bed, and pretending that Satan is that object really helps. I scream for him to get out and leave me alone. I know that sounds like really weird, but it does work. Then I pray for GOD to intervene. I hope this helps you as much as it does me.
May GOD bless you today and always,
Your sister in Christ

Answer 3

The harder that you try NOT to think of something, the more that you will actually think of that something.

It is hard to keep negative thoughts from popping up in your head, but you can try to counter them by reminding yourself that these thoughts are not yours (they’re from Satan), and then changing the subject by thinking about something pleasant and good instead. Don’t let these stray thoughts get you upset, because then you will think about them more. We all have these internal distractions, and God understands.

And of course, God understands that part of the reason that you want to become close to him is for attention. Your relationship with God is not just one sided; God wants you to benefit from the relationship as well. In moderation, it is OK to think about your own needs.

One way to get to know God better, after you have read & studied your Bible, and have prayed, is to spend some time in quiet reflection (meditation) where you sit still and think about the good things that God has done for you. The longer that you spend in quiet contemplative thought, the less ‘noisy’ those thoughts in the back of your head should become.

I have noticed that many people think that becoming a Christian means that all struggles will immediately stop. This is not true. If we had no struggles to overcome, we would become spoiled and lazy. We become closer to God as we work WITH him to overcome our problems.

You might also like these books (the first one is free on-line as an e-book):

Answer 4

I do know how much OCD can affect personal relationships, and seems the Most Important one, the one you have with God.
But be encouraged, because He knows every little detail about yopu battle! And He will never leave you nor forsake you!
He Loves you So Dearly.
I have a thorn in the side myself and have battled with the - not understanding if God wants a great relationship we me -why do I still have it? As I know God alone can deliver me and have prayed... and over many years, things have got better!
I have no easy answer for you.
But my avice would be;
Just make sure you are walking in The Spirit and not the flesh. Put on the Full Armour of God and whilst in your case, it may be harder, try to bring every thought captive to the name of Jesus.
And don't stop your medication.
Don't let people ridicule you, Always remember who you are in Christ!
Love In Him,
Le7

Answer 5

Take a deep breath and slow down. First ALL Christians do this very same thing. With small differences., Such as the big WHAT IF words. Everyone is on a spiritual journey and we are all on different levels of the journey. Some of us know JUST enough to be dangerous. Some of us are taking baby steps and falling down (doubt and such). Some of us are taking grown up steps.. However all of us screw up and fall short. We are NOT perfect, never will be. We did not believe and get a packet of INSTANT HOLY, to right the natural human to a holy one.

It is all part of the relationship. Just like all relationships there are adjustments and doubts and such. It will be OK. Hang in there and go to the middle of the bible to Psalms. 91:1. it will help you much. Read it every time you feel the need. Cling to it.


{:-) Peace & God bless from Texas. <><

Answer 6

Well Im gonna try and answer this question to my ability. I think the Bible has the best advice out there! Sometimes however, its hard to understand..and so going to church and having someone take it step by step and explain it to you helps alot! The Bible has advice for all occasions and all things in life, Im sure you know that! Also when your going through things, getting good Guidance from other Christians, particullary someone older and that has been there, is a good place to turn. Such as if your wanting to get married, go to a pre-maritual counselor. It states how getting good Counsel is wise all throughout the Bible, mainly in Proverbs. I say this to myself all the time "Trusting in God means having complete faith the He knows what is best for your life" I hope I helped in any way. God Bless!

Answer 7

I know what you're going through. It can be tough. I deal with depression almost every day of my life, though I choose to not receive treatment because I haven't seen it help me in any way. It's been even worse since I graduated from college and have been spending about 90% of my time by myself, and it can be very easy to just fall into periods where you just get very discouraged and just want to quit.

The one thing I know that works for me is to surround yourself with Christian friends. Find some people through a church or a Christian group at school (if you're still in school) and just develop some relationships there. Try to spend as much time as you can with them (not necessarily every free moment, but take the opportunities that come up). It can really help get rid of some of those thoughts. If anything, at least develop a few relationships, and just have some people that you can talk to whenever you feel like this. I know I have some friends that I can just call whenever I'm just struggling and just talking to them can be encouraging.

Answer 8

Something that may help:
If you are a born again Christian, then use your authority in Christ and rebuke that thoughts, whenever they come. At first, you may need to do that very often! You can say, for instance (aloud, whenever possible) "I rebuke this thought in the name of Jesus!". Maybe you will have the same thought again, but rebuke it again, and again. You will see that doing that aloud, and using your authority in Christ, will help you. You have authority in Christ if you are a believer; but if you don't use it, it is as if you don't have it!

Also, be sure you have not un-confessed sins, unforgiveness, etc., before doing that. If so, confess them to the Lord and he will cleanse you (1 John 1:9).

It will also be very helpful to get and read this book:
"The bondage breaker", by Neil Anderson. I recommend this one; although that book by Joyce Meyer is also a good one.

If the thoughts you have are not just from your own mind, but from demonic origin, you may get many thoughts against getting and reading that book. Just don't listen to them!

Also have a spirit-filled church pray for you! (If you find many obstacles and very difficult to do what I have told you above, maybe you may need other people to minister deliverance to you).

Hope this helps, and God bless you.

Answer 9

I agree in prayer with Goodwill2man !!!!!! amen and amen.............. ok, now, I suggest this, it may help....... get you a note book, a large thick one, the divided kind..... in one part, use for your God/good thoughts, when you are thinking the not so good stuff, counter act it with good: such as, * I don't have enough faith*, counter act with, * Jesus is my faith!!!* and /or *My faith is strong in Jesus !!*..... write it and say it !!!!!!!!!!!! ........ and then, in another section, us it as the BEAUTIFUL section, look around you daily and name at least 10 things that bring beauty into your life, friends, flowers, etc....... write and say !!!!!!!! use the 3rd section for things God has done for you each day,simple things, a good cup of coffee, give GLORY in ALL things to God, satan will grow tired of that real quick !!!! and then in the 4th section, it is YOUR FAITH , write down all the things that makes your strength grow, like, a new born kitten, a baby, etc..... some of these things will be the same as beauty section, but that is OK, the just confirms them !!!!!!!!! remember, God hears the tiniest whisper !!!!! I pray this will help you......... I encourage you to HOLD ON TIGHT !!!!!!! and remember YOU have a very LARGE FAMILY in Jesus , to help you ........ go in peace........... God bless

Answer 10

Yes it's normal. Start memorizing scripture and start with Philippians 4 verse 8. Spend time reading the Bible...If you want to have a relationship with someone you need to get to know them. The best way to know God is spend time with Him (and His word) finding out who He is. The thoughts of Not wanting a relationship come from the Enemy, who will try anything to keep you from getting to know God and having that relationship with Him. He has promised if you seek him with all of your heart you will find Him.
Blessings.