Religious OCD? Do You Have It? And What To Do About It?

This was news to me...

What is Spiritual OCD?

Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Let’s start with a quick definition of OCD so that we are all on the same page:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition that involves recurring, unwanted thoughts, feelings, or images (also known as obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (also known as compulsions).

In some way, we all have obsessive thoughts and feel compelled to do things at times… but for those who experience doubt, confusion, and compulsive behaviors on a daily basis, enough so that it interferes with their regular life… this is where it’s a challenge.

And in the case of spiritual OCD (or scrupulosity), the recurring unwanted thoughts have to do with topics like worthiness, spiritual promptings, and whether or not we are doing what God wants us to do in our life.

Overall, the challenge with Spiritual OCD comes down to doubt, uncertainty, and fear. And if I really had to narrow it down… it’s primarily fear.

What Do I Do About It?

Photo by Melanie Wasser on Unsplash

If the root problem of Spiritual OCD is fear, then the root solution is Faith, Hope, and Charity.

“There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear”
-1 John 4:18

Studying the nature and character of God is essential in all of this.

The more times you confirm in your heart the truth that God is all-loving, always- forgiving, and ever-encouraging… the more you will naturally step into the rest of Christ.

Christ is constantly asking you:

• Do you trust me?

• No really… do you trust me?

• Do you trust me? In who I really am. That when I say I am your Savior, Redeemer, your Good Shepherd, the Prince of Peace… do you believe me?

• When I tell you to “come and follow me (think about me, talk with me, take me with you in your day)” and that by doing so “ye shall find rest unto your souls”… do you believe me?

• Do you believe that I can heal you? And if you don’t believe, do you believe that I can give you the faith you need? Do you believe that I can “help thou thine unbelief?”

OCD is about obsessively thinking of danger and thus being in a never ending state of fear.

But what if you could start obsessively thinking about this…

“I choose Christ. I choose Christ. Christ is here. With me. Right now. I choose trust. I choose trust. I choose trust. I choose to believe in what Christ has told me. I choose to operate in his peace. I choose to live from a place of love and not fear.”

What about obsessing over scriptures and thoughts of Christ’s true nature and character? What if these righteous (right relationship) thoughts could be on your mirror, on your car steering wheel, on your phone?

Remembering Christ always requires work and can be practically applied by literally putting reminders of him everywhere - pictures, music, sticky notes.

Warning - If you are putting all these things up from a place of FEAR, then this is not the way to go. Fear is not the emotion you want to be acting from. It’s love that we want to be the motivation.

Learning who God really is, by studying the life of Jesus Christ, is an essential first step to addressing Spiritual OCD.

And listen…

God will never tire of reminding you and providing spiritual confirmations about the truth of who He really is and who you really are.

You can ask him in prayer every single day… “God, are you truly unconditionally loving? Do you really love me even though I have this problem?”

And I promise you that every single day, you can be met with the warmth of his love.

Now you might think, “Wait, if I just allow myself to be loved in my sin, then I’ll just keep doing the sin!”

But this is not the case. Love doesn’t produce more sin. When you feel truly loved of God, the first thing you want to do is love other people, not continue in your sin. Love only produces more love, unity, and connection. Love casts out fear. Love is like the light and fear is like the darkness. Darkness cannot comprehend the light.

With love,
Tyson Bradley

Further Insight From My Conversation with God (for Paid Subscribers Only)

Heavenly Father, what do you want me to know about spiritual OCD that isn’t being talked about?