Trigger warning possibly? Does anyone struggle with thoughts of doubting God? Or struggle with the fear of not believing or not believing enough? Sometimes I even feel like I started believing in God for the wrong reasons. I’m really struggling and always afraid. My faith is suffering and I feel bad. I’m scared I’m losing my faith. I know I want to believe in God, I just get scared I don’t. I don’t even know if I have OCD but I’ve been obsessing over these fears since February. Does anyone else deal with this? And do you have advice?

Hey! I have reglious OCD, not the exact fear you have, but i get it. That’s a very common worry with religious OCD. The idea of losing faith is so scary, but it’s important to remember that there is a separation between you and OCD. OCD tries to make us doubt and worry and often takes things we hold very dear and twists them.

Yes! I feel like the topic of God and religion has been with me for a looong time, but I never thought of it being OCD until recently. I remember instances since back when I was maybe 11 where the thought would pop into my head “you should deny God” or “you should say this bad thing about God” Etc blasphemy sort of things, and I’d freak out and repeatedly rebuke that or pray, and that has occurred occasionally throughout the years. I’ve also definitely stuggled with thoughts in doubting God. My main topic is suicidal OCD so when that first appeared back in August/September I thought it was because I didn’t have enough faith in God so I pushed myself really hard to read my Bible, song and listen to worship music, pray, etc all the time. That sort of reminds me of your “believing in God for the wrong reasons” statement. I’ve always been a Christian, but I was worried that me pushing extra hard this time around wasn’t because I truly wanted to be closer to God (and I did!) but because I was suffering and looking for help through Him. I also deal with have intrusive disturbing sexual thoughts and it happens too when I’m in church or praying and it’ll pop up about God and wow that is the absolute worst I feel like I committed the worst possible sin and I apologize so many times. The shame and fear tries to rip me away from my faith and love in God, which I don’t want to happen since my hope and trust is in Him to help me through the anxiety and OCD I deal with. The only advice I have is to just keep pushing in your faith, regardless if you are having doubts and worries. He wants us to seek and worship Him in the good and bad days, so even if the doubt is screaming at you, you keep raising your hands and giving him the Honor regardless. I have found that this has helped a bit, not letting the fear win. I hope this helped at all!

I’m an atheist but I can’t even throw a gum wrapper on the ground without being tormented morally

Mine is a little different, but mostly similar. I feel for you and will be lifting you up in prayer. What I found helpful is running TOWARD the discomfort and not shying away from it.

I struggled with the fear that I’m not saved for YEARS. It was torture. Very similar obsessions as you from what you posted here. Ocd loves to trick us into thinking we don’t even have ocd. It’s a classic ocd fear. I just want to reach out to you and let you know (coming from someone who has had very severe religious scrupulosity since I was little and is now doing much better) that there is so much hope for us, and that no matter how hard it is now or how bad your ocd is, things will get better. ❤️

Yes yes yes all the time. My #1 worry and fear is this.

And I am a Christian minister by the way. Which makes me feel even deeper shame when I feel this.

Would love to talk with you more if you want also! Love hearing I’m not alone in this struggle thank you for sharing ?

Thank you that’s so encouraging to hear!!