How can I overcome OCD-related feelings of distance from God?

Hi, please try to remember that God loves you and will be patient with you. He will meet you where you are. If you’re struggling with obsessions/compulsions while praying, reading your Bible, or any other activity that makes you feel closer to God, He sees you. He sees that you are trying. He is aware that you have OCD and that it makes things difficult. Consider that if engaging in these activities is something you want to do, then they are worth doing. Additionally, if you are starting to feel less close to God because you have not been engaging in these activities, you are not alone in that either and God STILL understands that because He sees it all the time. The more time spent away from God/ time spent not engaging with Him, the easier it is to continue not spending time with Him. Many people end up de-prioritizing their relationship with God in this way, me included. But God is always there, desiring for you to come back to Him and choose Him. And like I said earlier, He understands that it’ll be hard for you to engage in those activities again. But you can, and you clearly do care about your relationship with Him to some degree. Just know that making the attempt is a sacrifice of your time, and your energy, and it is progress. God won’t see that as nothing.

Try not to go by feelings. They are not reliable. Don't force prayer or Bible reading. Thinking you have to pray and read a certain amount can be a compulsion. Go easy on yourself.

I went through this very same thing. Please search Mark DeJesus on YouTube. He is an ex pastor, OCD survivor and has tremendous resources I think may be a help to you as they have me.

Yes. Ive felt.this way. Deep down I had allot shame and guilt about OCD. I was.so exhaused and I sat and imagined sitting down at Jesus feet. I wouldnot even look at him. It when from that till absolutley sobbing and crying and moving from a placeof being numb and hopless. That night I actually was a ble sleep. Now each night I read the bible and.spend quiet time with God. It is during these time of.OCD..flare up I get closer to God and his truth. I am not the OCD. I have been given the spirit of fear but power love and sound mind. OCD is like a fly buzzing around has no power....

Additionally, I know how horrible the feeling of guilt can be and how it can make you want to avoid behaviors, whether it’s to avoid praying/reading etc., or to avoid thinking about the guilt, etc. Guilt is an awful feeling, I’m sorry you feel it. Coupled with feeling obligated to pray and read the Bible and engage with God, it can be easy to just avoid these activities altogether. But as you have stated, it does sacrifice your relationship with Him. This is why I said that if it’s something you want to do, it’s worth doing. It’s easy to avoid, but if you care about your relationship with God, you do have to put in some effort. It’s not fair for Him to do all the work and be the only one engaged, right? At the very least, that’s not how it’s supposed to be. Give yourself some grace, it’s okay to start small when re-engaging with God, but it has to come from a place that’s genuine. He will know if you are being avoidant, or allowing yourself to “half-ass” things (sorry for the language). It’s incredibly hard, but try to hold yourself accountable (while being compassionate with yourself! It’s a hard line to walk and I’m trying to use language that won’t exacerbate compulsions/avoidant behaviors or feelings of guilt). My point is just that if you’re at a point where you’ve been neglecting your relationship with God, He wants to see genuine effort made from you and He will be pleased. Again, it’s okay to start small, and try not to obsess over whether or not the effort is genuine. Just make an effort, you don’t need to strain yourself, but without effort from you the relationship will not grow.

Look up Matt McMillian Ministries… And GRACE. This post is literally the whole purpose of Jesus. We were not meant to carry the weight of the world and God knew then what we would face now. OCD is no surprise to God. That’s why there is Grace. That’s why he sent Jesus. Believe and Love. 🤙🏼🙏🏻

x eD