Dealing With Guilt

OCD, also known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a real thing. In fact, it is said that OCD affects more than one person in a group of 50 people. Picture going to a party of 50 – there’s a chance you would find an OCD sufferer there – that is not that uncommon! But this post is not about statistics – this post is about helping those who suffer. I want you to know that you are not alone. The struggle you are facing will have a good outcome – just keep the faith through it all. Jesus would never forsake us. Hold tight to the promises of God! Remember… 

• Don’t beat yourself up – I think one of the major struggles we deal with is guilt. I know that for me, I’ll even feel guilty for just my thoughts. Guilt creeps in and often anchors itself in my mind. I feel so defeated. My body even takes a toll as I feel a tightness in my throat. It is as if my whole body becomes out of whack. I don’t feel like myself. My self confidence becomes extremely low, and it’s hard to do normal activities.

 This is when I need to deal with my guilt. I need to realize that this is not my fault. I am under severe spiritual warfare, and I need to hold on to the promises of God. The enemy is waging war against my mind, but I won’t let him win!

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

Martin Luther, someone who struggled with OCD, would feel guilt for stepping on two twigs that formed a cross. Was this godly grief? I think we can all confidently answer: No! This was an obsession – a tool from the enemy to steal our joy and keep us distracted. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy to see how ridiculous our own fears and worries are. We tend to lean more on the worldly grief than the godly grief. It is important to know the difference. Perhaps the true sin that we must come to grips with is the lack of trust we have. Do I trust God with this issue I’m facing? Am I truly believing that the cross is enough?

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

These are the more serious questions to ask… not the obsession if I locked something, or that I made a promise in my head, or that I turned everything off. These are not the sins. 

• Endure – How I wish I had known the importance of enduring through trials during my severe times of testing. I would obsess, obsess, obsess and make so many mistakes along the way. I would frustrate myself so much with the notion of being “perfect” that I would actually become stuck and very imperfect. For example, for work, I would double check things for fear of making a mistake – and this would only make things worse. Instead, I wish I had endured more. I wish I would have continued on and let things play out without trying to “fix” them.

     God is the only one capable enough to fix things. When we leave it in His hands, we feel a weight taken from our shoulders. This is not a coincidence! The answers to what we face are found in Him…

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…” Romans 5:3                

     There is someone out there that may need your advice in the future. Only having going through a trial such as this can you help that person. The devil doesn’t want you to uplift this person with the comfort you’ve received from God. The devil wants to keep you in a bondage of fear so that you cannot be a good witness!                 

     Be encouraged by your struggle in that you can help others with theirs! This may be why God has allowed you to face trials of different kinds. God WILL NEVER leave you or forsake you. Take your troubles to Him and let Him find the answers for you! 

♥