is it okay to take a break from reading your bible once in a while? sometimes my ocd gets really bad and reading scriptures and verses sometimes make it worse. but i feel bad for not doing it.
Yes I would say so, it’s not healthy to have it feel so much like a chore with reading words getting too ritualistic which is not good for OCD at least in my case, this happens to me too and I feel like I’m reading it just to say I did and not get anything out of it. Try to let God guide you towards reading scriptures at the right time and discern things to take out of the Bible rather than just reading it as if you’re on autopilot is better to me. Taking a break would certainly help I’d say since the OCD is making you feel bad for not reading it but we have to break that feeling, as long as you don’t completely detach yourself from reading it altogether you should be fine. Hope this helps ❤️
@VictoriaCatherine#88 thank you!!
How come you steer away from reading? Do you have triggers to some words ? but also, sometimes steering away from something because your ocd makes you feel anxious from this certain thing, can sometimes make your ocd get worse in other area
Would it help to keep the routine of reading something reflectively, but read/do something else? Like reading religious poetry, a different liturgy that’s not the actual Bible (Kate Bowler has a lovely collection of prayers specifically for terrible times), or making reflective or religious art. I even saw a coloring book inspired by the psalms! At least for me, the part of regular religious practice that’s healing is setting aside time in my day to reflect and connect with something bigger than myself, but if reading the Bible every single day is not healthy for you, then I would not feel pressured to do that. Maybe you can take out time to do something else that rejuvenates you, even if it’s not directly religious
@RatDad thank you!
OCD often makes me feel distant from God. I often feel unforgiven, unloved, and even hated. In my head I often view God as someone who hates me and who is always constantly disappointed in me. My relationship with him feels like an Obligation now more than a relationship. I’m always on the cusp of becoming an atheist, but I always draw myself back because I don’t want to give up my faith so fast, even if it’s been 4-5 years of living like this. I’m often at war with myself daily. There is never a day that I feel as though if I do one small thing whether it be buy something or eat something that I’m going to end up in eternal damnation. And even though I know it’s only OCD and it’s cognitive distortions, I still feel uneasy.
Is anyone else here a Christian dealing with ocd? I could use some support because I've been having a hard time growing close to God ever since my ocd started getting bad. I deal with a lot of religious intrusive thoughts such as being unforgivable, or being cursed or possessed. What's some advice?
Just wondering if anyone else’s spiritual OCD seems to also effect your relationship with God and push you farther away from God when you really would rather be closer?
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