Does anyone else get intrusive thoughts while praying or thinking of God? It has been stressing me out so bad. I feel like I’m a bad Christian or somethings wrong with me cause sometimes I get flooded with intrusive thoughts when I try to focus my time on God.

Happens to me all the time . In fact , before I made a comment to you , I was giving someone advice and the entire time I was having blasphemous thoughts while trying to encourage and give Biblical truths . I struggle with blasphemous/ intrusive thoughts . As I’m typing this to you , I’m struggling . We all understand . The most frustrating part is rededicating yourself to God , reading the Word , and then becoming so defeated and distressed by the thoughts that you never progress . If that’s what you’re going through ….so am I . I’m going to try to continue my New Testament reading and do my best to push forward . Hopefully you’re able to do the same with your spiritual walk ! I’ll be praying for you ! God bless !

Thank you so much for commenting! I struggle with those thoughts as well and it’s so hard sometimes cause I read the word and trust in God a hundred percent but it’s like those thoughts bombard me out of nowhere and it makes me feel so low. I know exactly what you are going through and I’m so sorry you have to struggle with this too. Thank you so much and I will be saying prayers for you. I know God has us and we will get through it. He doesn’t give us anymore then we can handle it’s just hard in the moment to remember. You are so strong! God bless!

One rather helpful and profound thing I read recently is that 2 Cor. 10:5 is not about thought suppression.

Happens frequently with me

Me too

I’m sorry you have been feeling this way for so long. I can relate more then you know, It’s been about 5 years for me. I have different themes too but this theme is the one I struggle with the most. I believe it’s because it’s the most important to me. I know how tired and defeated you are feeling and I would be lying if I said I don’t feel that way regularly but I know one things for sure, God never gives us more then we can handle. I know this feels like a lot but I know he sees you trying and I know he’s proud of you. Even when you feel like you’re disappointing him, know that’s all lies. This isn’t you fault, it’s how our brains try and protect us as crazy as that sounds. Our minds know we are fearful of this thoughts so it’s like never ending warning us that these thoughts are dangerous even when they are the complete opposite of who we are. I am like you and wish I would of never known what the unpardonable sin was but I do know people who truly commit it, don’t care that they did. The don’t know God and they don’t want to. We do cause we love God more then anything. I am like you and when these thoughts hit, I can’t think of anything else and it puts me in a funk. I also know God has given me peace from these thoughts before and I truly felt like he was telling me it wasn’t my fault and he loves me. Just know you are not alone. God loves you too. We are his children and we didn’t ask for this to happen. I’ve been so low before I thought there was something really wrong with me but I know I struggle from an anxiety disorder I have no control over. There are more then just us too who struggle with this theme. Please don’t give up. God sees your struggle, and he’s with you. He’s strengthening you during this time and you will make it. Even on your worst day, just keep pushing. I was in counseling off and on for 10 years. I also struggle with other anxiety issues and PTSD.

I also rebuke thoughts constantly as well as asking Jesus to help me over and over. We have to realize this is OCD too. It’s so hard because we don’t want to feel like we have committed that sin or that God won’t forgive us so we constantly try and replace bad thoughts with good ones and it’s so tiring. I’ve heard people say that we are not our thoughts. I do believe that when I’m not anxious but when my OCD is bad it’s hard to look past anything else. I had an idea once that does help when I’m not to bad. When I would have a intrusive thought, I would grab a paper and pen and write down what I was feeling after the thoughts. Not the thought itself but just like if my heart was racing, my chest was tight, if I was dizzy, shaky, and so on and I would begin to Recognize that as anxiety. I would then focus on breathing and bringing myself into the present moment and it would help clear my mind for a moment just so I could gain a moment of peace. It would help me realize that my OCD was the reason I was feeling this way and it wasn’t my faith. We do have to remember we are struggling with an actual medical condition and God knows we have OCD and can’t help it. He wants the best for us and he’s with us in the storm.

I promise to continue to pray for you. Please don’t beat yourself up for it, you are human and God knows this. He knows you love him so much. Just keep taking care of you, and know God is strong enough to fight this for you and he is fighting for you in your storm. I think everyone needs to feel not alone and I’m so glad to help and be here.you have helped me so much too. It’s a very scary thing and it’s hard to explain to someone who isn’t going through it but it’s so good to have an amazing support system. I have a job I absolutely love! I work for a real estate firm and it’s a dream job. I am really close with my family and love them so much. I live so close to my mom and brother and they are my biggest support. I actually work with both of them as well which helps a ton! You are definitely a friend and family in Christ! I know God is with you and I know he will protect and be your comfort for life. You stay safe as well!

Thank you so much for giving me encouragement. So you get blasphemous thoughts as well ? And also I don’t even feel that it’s thoughts anymore , I feel that I’m just making everything blasphemous because that’s all in my mind now . Does that make sense ?

Sorry that was a lot😂

I also know what you mean by performance mode because I notice when I am having those thoughts I’m praying constantly and over and over as well as readying the word trying to counter act those bad thoughts.

Reading the comment that you just posted has me in shock . I literally am talking to the girl version of myself. I’ve been dealing with this for about 10 months now . I’m so depressed and confused . It’s so hard to push through or do anything spiritually purposeful. I am drained , honestly . I’d rather not be created at this very moment. I really wish that my mind was differently and that I never stumbled upon the “unpardonable sin “ passage in the Bible . That’s when it all started . Others don’t understand. So relieving that you understand. I literally rebuke the thoughts all day long , I even mess up while rebuking the thoughts , try reading but the thoughts are flooding my mind . I literally can’t enjoy anything because I give so much attention to these thoughts. It’s not that I don’t want to listen to others , but when a person goes through this for so long it’s like I only The Lord Himself to give me assurance. Obviously He speaks through people, but I’m just telling how I feel . Hopefully, this ends soon . Not sure how long I have but man im exhausted . I’m losing strength when I pray and rebuke these thoughts . Sorry to Be so down . Are you in counseling?

I can’t believe that I’m speaking to you . I had asked God to show me someone that is going through the same thing . I was so convinced that no one else’s issue is like mine . I’m sooo glad that I met you . Although this is confidential, I had to screen record our conversations and show my wife . I’m just amazed that I actually found someone that is literally and I mean literally is going through the same exact thing . Most people have similar issues , but yours is exactly like mine . I feel like I’m talking to myself when I’m talking to you . I don’t even have a response because I don’t have to explain myself because you just explained “me” to me . It’s a huge struggle . The biggest is scariest that I’ve ever been through . Most times , I just want to throw in the towel and give up . Having a fear of what if I do commit the unpardonable sin . That’s what drives more anxiety through the roof . Praying constantly that God would give me assurance before I commit the sin because then I’ll know that I’m safe and assured . I also deal with rebuking the thoughts every 15 - 20 seconds . There are so many bad thoughts that I’ve retained and trying to rebuke them all just leads me to rebuking it incorrectly and saying something that I shouldn’t because I made a mistake . It’s so hard to manage all of these unwanted thoughts . A lot of times , it’s easier to give up and live my past life . I’ve struggled with lusting before and that used to be my comfort and if I’m being completely honest ….it still is . I tend to just want to get on the internet and do things that I shouldn’t do . I do think about how selfish I’m being towards God or my wife , I just focus on my own compulsions and sinful comforts . I’m just being completely honest here . I’ve held my Jesus sign on the streets , read my Bible , wrote notes , worship, prayed but it’s all out of fear . Yes , I love to do those things , but most of the time fear drives me to do it because I want to hopefully gain His forgiveness or mercy . Although , I cannot gain it because it’s freely given , in the moment it’s how I operate . I’m constantly triggered by certain sermons at church , things I hear or see on tv , or things in public . Sometimes , I even have to turn the radio off because it’s a trigger as well . Keep in mind these are things that I enjoyed doing before this unhealthy cycle started . I just can’t even imagine my self being healed from this . It’s such a bad way to be because it’s impossible to please Him without faith. Why do I know the truth , but yet not apply it , right ? When a person is stuck in this cycle , it’s how one will tend to operate . I’m honestly a bit numb now . I’m more scared and fearful than I’ve ever been . I’m worried a lot ! Prayers are losing strength. Joy is decreasing . Faith is decreasing . Hopeful is becoming hopeless . I really need His healing on my mind . I’ve been soooo hard on myself . I condemn myself and allow no room for grace . I live with an attitude of “ it’s all my fault “ , or “ I wish I wasn’t ever created “ . This is a tough battle . I’m holding on to the fact that I’m strong and that God has a plan for me . Many people tell me that in spite of my flaws and bad thoughts that I’m special and He has a calling on my life. It’s the only hope that I have . When is this ever going to end ? I don’t know ! I’ve prayed for you and I recently ! Glad I met you . Never ever thought I’d meet someone like me . You’re a blessing whether you know it or not . I don’t feel so alone after all . Thanks for replying the way that you do !

I’m so glad that God was able to use me to help you.It always amazes me how caring and amazing our God is, even through our storms he uses us for good and I’m glad I got to be a part of that. It makes me think that he’s helping me navigate OCD to help others and that brings me a little peace. I hope you know you are never alone and you can take comfort in knowing I’m right here in the struggle with you and I truly believe we will conquer this and it will only make us stronger. It definitely is easier to uplift other more so then myself at times! Thank you so much for the prayers! I will be saying many for you. I pray God brings you comfort, peace and strength as you walk through OCD. I’m so glad you have your wife to support and uplift you through this! It’s so amazing to have a strong support system. I’m so glad I was able to help an any way I can. If there is any positive I can take from OCD this is it. I always want to help people and this just made me feel so good knowing I brought you a little peace! I’m also so glad to hear that you had an amazing Thanksgiving. It sounds so cozy and peaceful! I try to get on here when I can but I’ve been checking to see your reply’s! I’ll be here to talk too! I’m so glad I was able to make your day and I thank you for making mine! As always, God bless!

Thanks for your encouragement! Your words are very genuine and I hold those near to me because it keeps me going . It’s hope ! Thank you for that . It is a lot that we are going through , but as you said God is always fighting for me . Lately , I’ve been super guilty with the way I’ve handled temptation and things like that . Desire to sin seems so easy than before . I believe I’m just getting numb or feeling defeated . I did speak to a close friend of mine who is older than I am. He gave me advice which will help me moving forward . Also , that’s awesome that you have your dream job . May God bless you and your future desires ! Thanks for always reaching out to me . I’m going to actually take a break from the app for about a week . I believe that this is a blessing however I’m spending to much time on here . There’s pros and cons to that , you know ? I was just waiting on you to respond back just so you wouldn’t think I’m ignoring you . You’re a great friend so I want to keep the communication going . When I do get back on here , I’ll give a comment and continue the encouragement to one another . They really do help ! I’m going to continue to pray for you and we’ll text soon ! God bless you Hannie !

You are so welcome and I’m so glad I could do that for you. You have helped me too, so thank you so much for that. I know how you are feeling. It feels as if it’s easier to give into the OCD and then you’re left eith this sinking, guilty feeling. We have to remember, that everyone on earth is going to sin. God knows that but he sees us trying to turn away and I really believe that’s what counts. He knows our hearts and he knows our minds are weak. I’m so glad you were able to get advice from a friend! That always helps and brings comfort. I pray God always blesses you and Your loved ones. I’ll be praying for you always now. You’ve been in all my prayers lately. I know God is with you. I know what you mean about taking a break, I have to do that to cause I started to see I was using it for reassurance.you are such a great friend and human being and I’m so glad we got to talking. I’m looking forward to your text. God bless you always!!!