OCD: Responsibility Transfer Therapy
For those of us who struggle with OCD, we want a remedy. I’ll go as far as say we desperately need a remedy. For those of us who struggle with OCD, it is almost torturous. Picture a prison of war, slowly and ruthlessly being tortured over and over again with little relief. That is what OCD feels like.
When we try to fight back, it only gets worse. The more we struggle, the more exhausted we become. And this is the enemy’s trap. Make you believe the lies, so you try to fight them on your own. The thing is, with a thing as big as OCD, we cannot do this fighting on our own. The devil loves to make us think we can. He wants us to fight in our own strength because he knows how powerless and vulnerable we are on our own strength.
What we need to do is focus on Jesus. Focus on His strength. The devil can’t touch Jesus. Sure, he can touch you and me, but he cannot touch Jesus. Jesus is so much more powerful than the enemy. There is really no comparison. BUT if the devil can make you believe the lies, and that he is powerful, then he knows he can do some damage to you. You may find yourself in a place you never thought you’d be—a place of fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. But that is not where you belong. You belong in the loving arms of Jesus. Until you claim Jesus’ power over your life, you are going to walk around very defeated—not entirely defeated, but defeated nonetheless.
The thing is, we were never meant to fight these battles on our own. I find it interesting that the Bible clearly talks about spiritual warfare but it doesn’t necessarily focus on spiritual warfare solely. Why? I believe that’s because God wanted to warn us of the reality of spiritual warfare, but He didn’t want us to be obsessed about it. Jesus should be the One we put our full attention on. He is the victorious King of Kings.
I remember when I was going through a lesser struggle of OCD in my past, I would often say “Jesus” over and over again. Because of OCD, I began to worry I was saying Jesus’ name in a bad way—like I was blaspheming or using His name in an evil manner. I stopped for a little bit, but then courage grew deep inside me. I thought, no, I will continue to say Jesus’ name! It’s powerful. The enemy doesn’t want me to say His name. And the OCD subsided.
I also remember going through OCD around this time, and I felt like it was difficult to move. It scared me. I thought I couldn’t move when I was in the bath or shower. It freaked me out! I decided to put mind over matter, and I willed myself to keep going. I played the song “Psalm 91” by Ester Mui in the car. The beautiful lyrics (Bible verses) kept me going. It acted as a sword for me against the enemy.
Recently, I was struggling again with promises. I was afraid I was making a promise in my head again that I don’t plan to keep. God’s grace hit me. This responsibility transfer therapy came to mind. I had heard about it in the past, but I ignored it. It seemed too easy—and yet it is so profound.
Basically, responsibility transfer therapy means taking responsibility off our shoulders and giving it to Jesus. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful this feels. I am reminded that I am not under the law; I am under God’s grace. I don’t know if you’ve ever had a bad dream where you wake up from it, realize it’s not true, and have a wonderful, peaceful feeling knowing all is well. That is basically what this therapy can do. It’s the sacrificial gift bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Grace.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ~ 1 Peter 5:7
So, whenever you (or I) begin to fear, begin to feel the weight of OCD come creeping in, we need to cast our anxiety on Jesus. After all…
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30
So often we want to roll up our sleeves and tackle the problem on our own. However, there is humility in simply surrendering. There is humility and peace for coming to Jesus when we feel weary and burdened. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. What is required of the Christian lifestyle is easy and peaceful. It is not demanding or confusing like the enemy’s lies.
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…” ~ 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV
The Christian lifestyle is peaceful, and it leads us to Jesus. We cannot fight this battle on our own! There is grace and love awaiting us in Christ alone. Again, I say, we cannot fight this battle on our own! Turn to Jesus. Give Him your worries. Give Him the responsibility. Let Him take it from our shoulders. He is able! 😊