Why?’s

@gingerbread Yes suffering is often God showing us something. Making us more like what He created us to be. Romans 5:3 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.5.3.NKJV

As weird as it sounds I feel like I had ocd for a reason. I don't feel like it's fair that I had it in the first place but I feel the lessons I've learnt on my journey is to help guide others through. As much as I wish I had a normal life, I'm grateful for the struggle and the strength it gave me

@Wolfram I understand. God has a plan for you! ❤️. I’m so glad that you see that trials are for a reason

@han ;) I dunno what I believe in but I believe in something. I had someone pray for me to once so I can be shown the path I'm meant to take. After that my ocd theme changed to magical thinking and spirituality. I felt I was guided but who really knows 🤣 could've just been ocd too.

I don't know if whatever I believe in has a name. I believe whatever it is has revealed themselves and I've got it from here. I'm showing my gratitude to whatever it is/ was by moving forward and taking others with me

@Wolfram The Bible says: ”The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.“ ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.8.16-19.NKJV Christianity is the only religion that gives us a solution for our sin. Religion says we need to be a good person. Jesus died because we can never be good people and we need a perfect substitute to get close to our Creator. Jesus loves you, you know. He is knocking on the door of your heart. Please invite Him in. ❤️

@Blackhorse45!! That is a question Christians all around the world ask themselves at some point. To be honest, I still question my salvation at times because I feel like I am too sinful for God to love and forgive me. The devil’s main tactic when trying to tempt Christians is to make us doubt what God says and lose faith in His goodness. Jesus said In the Bible that He came to save those who are unrighteousness and sick! He knows what we’re going through, and loves us anyway if we are His. But, we also have to be careful (our ocd really struggles with hearing this!) not to just live however we want and take advantage of God’s Grace. Yes, we are saved by grace alone through Christ, but we will also develop a hunger to be like God and to obey Him. I think if you are struggling with this worry (whether or not you’re truly saved) it probably means you are saved and the Holy Spirit is working in you to convict you and bring you closer to Jesus. I have to remind myself daily of the gospel because if I lose sight of that I get so discouraged. Even though it can be triggering, stay in God’s Word and see Christ—our only hope. I would also recommend listening to preachers online like RC Sproul and Timothy Keller. They’ve helped me with good theology. One more thing : John 6:37 — “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” ‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.6.37.NIV

@han ;) - I love RC sproul and Tim Keller John Piper but I I have never had love joy or a desire to obey God or like they talk about treasuring Jesus above all else and how do you know if you have truly repented I just started therapy for scrupulosity last week. I was diagnosed I believe earlier this year in February or last year, but denied it but feel like maybe I really do have it because I didn’t obsessive wanting to know if I’m saved or not and my church has tried to help me, but they believe it more of a mental health Issue so how do you know when you have true guilt and real guilt before the Lord and how do you know his voice or if it’s your OCD?

@han ;) - I love RC sproul and Tim Keller John Piper but I I have never had love joy or a desire to obey God or like they talk about treasuring Jesus above all else and how do you know if you have truly repented I just started therapy for scrupulosity last week. I was diagnosed I believe earlier this year in February or last year, but denied it but feel like maybe I really do have it because I didn’t obsessive wanting to know if I’m saved or not and my church has tried to help me, but they believe it more of a mental health Issue so how do you know when you have true guilt and real guilt before the Lord and how do you know his voice or if it’s your OCD?

@Blackhorse45!! To be honest, I struggle with anxiety over this as well. I often feel like the guilt I feel over my sin isn’t because I am sad I sinned against God, but rather because I’m afraid of going to hell or being punished. Also, I used to feel like I needed to be saved over and over again after sinning (ofc I knew once I was saved I would never be let go of by God) but I guess I didn’t really believe it. And then I notice that I don’t have a deep hunger for God compared to those around me. (Don’t compare yourself to those around you). You don’t know if God has so and so further along than you. So, I still struggle with this same thing, and am learning with God’s help to trust what His Word says. God says anyone who calls on His name will be saved. God says anyone who comes to Him He will never cast out. God says we are saved by Grace alone through FAITH. So, as long as you trust in Jesus for your salvation and know you can’t do this on your own (literally accepting God’s gift, which I’m sure you know) then you are saved. It’s a done deal. You have been justified by Faith and God will keep you the moment you put your trust in Him. Yes, we are humans and are extremely selfish. But Jesus died for us anyway to the glory of His Grace! The Bible says no one seeks after God , and yet He came to save us. Now I know you’ve probably heard this a thousand times, and that can be frustrating. I feel like I’m always looking for something that I’ve never heard before that will take away all my doubt. But I think yours and my biggest problem with this doubt is that we don’t understand the difference between justification and sanctification. As you probably know, justification is what takes place the moment you put your faith in Jesus. You are pardoned and sealed with the Holy Spirit till the day of redemption. Sanctification, although it may take longer for some Christians, is what begins to happen as the Holy Spirit bears fruit in us. We might not even notice it, but God does. Also, we tend to doubt the sovereignty God has over everything. The Bible says to make your election secure, but we also have to trust what God says: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/act.2.21.NIV

@Blackhorse45!! I don’t know you, and can’t tell you whether or not you’re saved as sometimes I wonder this about myself! But I do know how you feel and from what you have said it seems to me that God is important to you although it may be clouded with this selfishness, which we all have. I certainly do. OCD is truly awful and can make us doubt what matters most to us. But I know with all my heart that if you ask the Lord to help you through this, although it may be hard, He will. You may not even notice Him there but He’s been everywhere you go. Holding your hand.

@han ;) - How did you come to know you have ocd? Does your church help you? Do you feel alone? Did you grow up in the church ? How do you cope with it

@han ;) - How did you come to know you have ocd? Does your church help you? Do you feel alone? Did you grow up in the church ? How do you cope with it

@Blackhorse45!! I’d recommend reading “saved without a doubt” by John MacArthur

@Blackhorse45!! https://open.spotify.com/episode/6k7k2OeQWwDTHs7R5DkyCA?si=L3jDOxa0Rg6880B0OFcszw&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A5hYDVSeY9KWSpkI4YlSzKF&t=1032

@Wolfram Yes we have to remember that God sees the whole picture and am we see is what’s happening in the moment. Also, I wouldn’t say I’m religious either! But I follow Jesus. I don’t follow a set of rules but rather trust in Jesus Christ (the King of Kings and Lord of Lords) for my salvation

@Blackhorse45!! I grew up in a Christian family , so I never had a specific date or time when I knew I accepted Jesus. I was never diagnosed with OCD but it’s in my family and I think I definitely have scrupulosity. And yes!-I definitely feel alone at times because it seems like nobody gets what I’m going through. Sometimes it’s easy to feel like you’re worthless. But if God created you, He has a purpose for you. He said we’d go through tribulation and suffering, but that He would be with us wherever we go. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to help other people with this same issue because you went through it. You’ll be able yo understand them. The church I grew up In was very based on feelings and if you don’t feel a certain way it means you’re not saved pretty much. We don’t go there anymore , but it certainly has been tough getting over that automatic need to rely on my feelings and doubts. About a year ago I started having an awful time with my doubts and bad thoughts, and ended up going on some meds for a while. I have since been able to get off of them. Now, even though I still have the doubts, I try to remind myself of God’s Words instead of looking at myself and wondering if I’m saved or not, because I need to have faith that He has saved me by faith, like He said. Do I always feel good? No way! But feelings can be misleading. I am so sorry that you are going through this. It’s awful. And it can be super annoying when people just say the same things and it doesn’t seem to help. I would recommend not trying to fix how you feel until it feels right for you, but rather allow the uncomfortable doubts to just go through you and remember a helpful verse in the Bible that reminds you of the truth. Trust me, I feel sick sometimes about how selfish I know I am. But also it is far better to know that than to think you’re perfect and be blinded by pride. And remember, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Life is hard often. Jesus told us it would be. But suffering doesn’t mean we don’t have a purpose or our purpose is suffering. It means quite the opposite. If we as Christians (and I know that’s what you’re struggling with: whether or not you are one) are experiencing suffering it is means God is using it for our good. You just have to know that we are selfish, and narcissistic and wicked, and God still saves us even though we don’t have it all figured out and perfect. Looking at people around me sometimes makes me depressed because they seem so godly and humble. And the closer we grow to God, we will become more like that. But wherever God has us right now that’s where He knows is best. I really hope this helps

@Blackhorse45!! This poem has helped me: The Weaver Poem by Grant Colfax Tullar (1869-1950) My life is but a weaving Between my God and me. I cannot choose the colours He weaveth steadily. Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow; And I in foolish pride Forget He sees the upper, And I the underside. Not ’til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly, Will God unroll the canvas And reveal the reason why. The dark threads are as needful In the weaver’s skillful hand, As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned. He knows, He loves, He cares; Nothing this truth can dim. He gives the very best to those Who leave the choice to Him.