Overcoming OCD

Have you ever been in a season in your life where you wondered how you were going to make it through? It’s when we look back on these times that we see God accomplish great things. He is working in you and I to have better futures.

This Valentine’s Day, I want to reflect on taking care of myself. It’s easy to care about the needs of others and neglect my own. Sometimes, we need to take care of ourselves in order to be better equipped to handle the needs of others. Another thing I want to focus on this Valentine’s Day is Jesus’ love for me. Jesus is the perfect One to run to. His love is strong and enduring and nothing we could ever do could take that love away from us.

Sometimes, in our pursuit of perfection, it is easy to think that the journey is finished – that we understand all we need to know, that we get what it means to be a Christian, and maybe even most of all, to just escape all the pain of the past... Nonetheless, every day we get a chance to fill it up with God. What an honor to take all our hurts, all our pain and bring it to the foot of Jesus – the One who understands hurt like no other.

For some reason, those of us with OCD or anxiety seem to think that we need to be perfect all the time. We set too high of goals for ourselves. We need to lighten the load a little. We need to bring the bar down to something we can actually achieve. There’s nothing wrong with giving ourselves a little gift in this area: the gift of imperfection.

I don’t know about you, but I am so hard on myself. I expect perfection. I set the bar so high for myself and don’t accept setbacks. And, when I don’t measure up to the man-made rules I set for myself, I quickly feel distressed. It’s as if all my energy is taken away from me, and I give way to panic. How do we manage to feel joyful and happy in the midst of panic? We give our cares over to God. We loosen the burden. Some of us are holding burdens we were not meant to carry.

Our perspectives can change a lot about our lives actually. It’s sometimes hard to think this way. When our minds are down in the dumps, we often tend to stay there. It’s sometimes hard to break free of a negative thought pattern... However, if we just take a look outside of our perceived circumstances, we can see the light on the other side of our problem. God holds solutions we would never dream were possible.

I have struggled with OCD probably my whole life; however, there was a time I experienced it unlike any other time. Here, I share some helpful strategies that I wish I had known then. I'm thankful God has delivered (and continues to deliver) me from this. I hope it brings you encouragement, and most of all, I hope you find these strategies as something you can utilize in your own life if you experience OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

The thing you and I have to come to grips with is the fact that you and I are not in control. This should relieve us. There are simply too heavy of burdens you and I are carrying. We often try to carry them, but like a little child, we have to simply call on God our Father to take these burdens that are too heavy for us to lift.

Are you suffering from fear? I have good news for you - it can be said that 91% of our fears don't even come true. Don't waste any more of your time in fear. We can call out to Jesus - He is always there for you. It's time to face your fears.

Have you ever suffered with guilt before? Maybe you are now. You are not alone, and I hope this blog brings you comfort in whatever situation you are in. Things are not as difficult as they may seem. Thankfully, as Christians, we have Bible verses that address our every need!

Hello, this blog is for anyone who needs some encouragement with anxiety they are facing in life. The Bible addresses these very things. Here are some verses that I hope bring you comfort as you learn to trust in Jesus. We can cast our cares on Him - He can take it!

It's easy to fall into the trap of making a romantic relationship the top priority in one's life. Have you ever thought about how there will be no marriage at the resurrection? That's a lot to take in. In a culture that romanticizes (interesting word, actually) romance, it's time to start thinking straight and put our identity in Christ. He longs for a relationship with us - may we find complete love in Him!