Why Hasn’t God Cured My OCD? ft. Jemimah - E10 Anxious Faith

In our early episodes, we’ve been sharing stories about people who struggle with Anxiety conditions, and learning how that plays out with their faith.
But what about all the other mental health conditions we can face?
In this episode we’re speaking to Jemimah, a university student from Melbourne who was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (commonly referred to as OCD).
OCD is something that is often completely misunderstood, and as a result significantly trivialised - many of us might think that having OCD means you like having your bookshelves arranged evenly, or that you need to wash your hands constantly. But the reality for someone suffering from this condition is so much more than those common stereotypes.
Jemimah shares with us what it’s like to live with OCD, and the way it affects her life. But Jemimah is also a person of faith, and today, she opens up about what it’s like to know that she is a new creation in Christ, all the while still dealing with the intrusive thoughts and negative effects of her mental health disorder.
She’ll also share with us some of the helpful-and not so helpful-things people have said in an attempt to support her, and how she’s learned to keep turning to God, even when it’s the last thing she feels like doing.
We hope you’ll be encouraged by how Jemimah’s faith sustains her, even when her mind feels like it’s out of her control.
Jemimah has also written a blog post based on her story called ‘Asking God “Why?” in the Midst of OCD’ which you can find here www.anxiousfai...
We also found an episode you might like here www.anxiousfai...
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[@shardaespencer3869]

Hi there i just wanted to comment to say this episode is amazing! It takes soooo much courage to open up about mental health problems especially ones like OCD .I believe there is a HUGE fear of being judged as people do not understand the absolute dread intrusive thoughts bring. As someone who has struggled with OCD and is a Christian i feel that their isn't alot of Christian's perspective on OCD. It was nice to see a non judgemental, kind and an understanding of the trauma mental illness can bring. This was a massive comfort to listen too! Keep spreading God's word and hope! Thankyou so much God Bless you both!

[@anxiousfaith]

Hi Shardae, thank you so much for taking the time to encourage us! We passed on your kind words to Jemimah and she was thrilled to know that her story is continuing to bring other Christians with OCD hope. You're so right that there's a big fear of being judged in opening up about these struggles; particularly with the shame and misconceptions often associated with intrusive thoughts. We're so glad to know this comforted you! Feel free to check out our website (anxiousfaith.org) and type 'OCD' in the search bar to read, watch or listen to other testimonies of Christians with OCD!

[@simanahit1]

I would say the closer we draw to God, the more our fears diminish or vanish. We are all fear based, in the survival mode, fear underlies all mental disorders and OCD too. But inside God there is no fear, only in Him we can find the liberty from our fears. My OCd was healed miraculously and God has given me guidance about intrusive thoughts. It all comes when one is really able to understand at that particular moment of spiritual growth, that is my perception.

[@simanahit1]

@TopoIl12 Just be sure any unwanted thought is not yours and don´t condemn yourself for anything, if you have excessive and unreasonable guilt feelings. MarkdeJesus canal has helped me a lot also with scrupulosity. God with you!

[@tina4himalone984]

@@simanahit1Mark DeJesus has been an incredible voice of reason in so many areas of my struggles. Some of the best work I’ve done through his ministry. God bless you. 🙌💞

[@LydiaTheBusinessWoman]

My son is currently deep in the throws of ocd/scrupulosity, and it drives him insane. I've never witnessed anything like it, I wouldn't have understood it if someone had just tried to explain it to me. Only Jesus can heal so I'm praying alot. I listen to Mark DeJesus alot to try and feed to correct information into him because he refuses treatment ie medication and erp therapy which I understand to be the best route out of this madness.

[@simanahit1]

​@@LydiaTheBusinessWoman I call it temporary madness for myself, as I have gone through it. Haven't taken treatment and medication, because felt in that extreme agony of mind I am closer to God and even through the disease I am taught a lot. Let the Lord of peace bring peace to his mind at all times and in all ways.

[@SweetyJulie-7]

Do you know there's a unique type of ocd called religious ocd/ scrupulosity... Even for healing from that we need God's help. Wow

[@jamesgarcia670]

It’s interesting to me how she emphasized listening prayer to help her with her OCD… for my OCD, I often falsely heard it as God telling me to do these senseless compulsions. Obviously it wasn’t Him, but it makes me afraid now to do listening prayer because it might let back in my compulsions. Do you have any advice for distinguishing between God and an urge to do a compulsion?

[@kwalt-q5l]

really good question, a lot of my Christian friends talk about regularly hearing from the Holy Spirit and being guided by him throughout their days -But gosh there are so many thoughts- intrusive and otherwise, running through my head it's hard to trust which ones are from God and which aren't. I think God realises our OCD brains are very confused and chaotic most of the time, and that if He wants to speak to us He will make it super obvious!! - For me my messages from God have come through 'coincidences' i'e the same theme or verse coming up again and again in my life from different sources - small things, but big to me!

[@aprilsmith5966]

Wow, I definitely came across this for a reason. Her story has me crying because my OCD symptoms are very similar to hers. 🖤

[@anxiousfaith]

We're so glad you found Jemimah's story helpful, April! We hope you'll take encouragement from the other stories we share of people with OCD (if you haven't already, you can find Amelie's story here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXzQaZiCoZJlnqM and Mary's story here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnXcq5aHaNyAbZo)!

[@Andrew-sj9tr]

My OCD is so bad. It makes it hard for me to have hope

[@anxiousfaith]

We're really sorry to hear that, Andrew. Thanks for sharing with us. We know OCD isn't easy to live with, and we're praying you can find good support from friends, family and professionals.

[@phoenixaz8431]

It's supremely hard to reconcile reality with the undying myth that God is good. Truth will set you free : if you suffer and expect concrete help from God, I truly feel sorry for you. I would help you if I could, whereas God won't help you even though he could effortlessly. ''Yeah God loves me beyond my wildest dreams, but even though he could easily remove this thing that torments me, he chooses not to'' 😂Bless his heart. Imagine what life would be like if God *actually* loved us. God loves to play mental games with some of us.

[@ramonarassi]

Be away from toxic worlds pple eat clean stop procesed food and sugen and gluten and pray tooooooooo much for jesus christ 24h open your bible everyday go to the church confess be modest❤🙏✝️♾️

[@Rileyed]

Removing toxins helps a lot. It’s wild.

[@Michael23Ballislife]

I hear voices 😢

[@anxiousfaith]

We're sorry to hear that, Michael - that must be really hard 😔We hope you're receiving the right support! 🙏

[@The.OutdoorChristian]

Me too. Sometimes they sound like God. Super difficult.

[@Nessa.Desire]

​@@The.OutdoorChristianHave you gone to see a specialist?❤

[@henryzhao4622]

If you’ve truly suffered, you know there’s no god.

[@roxstar555]

If you look around, the very existence of creation says otherwise. I was once an unbeliever too and doubted God because of my suffering. Jeremiah 29:13. Regardless of what you believe, I pray that peace be upon you and your life.

[@henryzhao4622]

@@roxstar555 until you’ve suffered like Christ, you won’t know the truth that there is no god.

[@laurynd7447]

@@henryzhao4622hello, I have suffered with OCD, and POCD, i am a Christian, and I love the lord. And I saw something that said, if you aren’t healed immediately from something, or you’ve suffered for a long time, God has plans for your build up in resilience, and testimony, to share with people who need to feel like they can make it. Jesus Loves You and wants you to know that everything is gonna be alright. And you will be healed someday.

[@LydiaTheBusinessWoman]

I understand what you are saying and also how flippant and unhelpful the comments above are to you. I see how you feel with my son. Although he doesn't say theres no god, he says God hates him and he hates god because he created him like this and is also responsible for sending him to hell. I see the intrusive lies that are bombarding his mind. I see how he is mentally unwell and therefore cannot see the truth. It doesn't matter how many times I tell his God is good and will never leave him, he argues back using biblical verses (out of context but appear to relate to him now, today). It's a struggle but ultimately, as with everything, God has already won the fight.

[@henryzhao4622]

@@LydiaTheBusinessWoman I assure you there is no God. You’re so fucking lucky you haven’t suffered enough to disagree.

[@iskke636]

Probably because he isnt real 🤣🤣🤣 i been struggling for 10 plus years

[@anxiousfaith]

We're sorry to hear you struggle with OCD too, we know it isn't easy! 😔

[@jennevermore6937]

Because ‘God’ doesn’t exist.

[@ramonarassi]

Jesus christ is the only way to heaven only savior only healer only answer 💌✝️♾️ open ur bible and focus on God ✝️ words for you

[@simanahit1]

I would say He is the very existence inside us, the closer we draw to Him, the more our fears diminish or vanish. We are all fear based, in the survival mode, fear underlies all mental disorders and OCD too. But inside God there is no fear, only in Him we can find the liberty from our fears. My OCD was healed miraculously and God has given me guidance about intrusive thoughts. It all comes when one is really able to understand at the particular moment of spiritual growth, that is my perception.

[@NWLegacyChannel]

Its because God wants us to suffer and be miserable for his sadistic pleasure.

[@jeejajustin]

God wants to teach you, how other people are suffering and u need to pray for them. Another one, if u are away from God, then will loose God's grace and devil will control entire.

[@SarahWalker-sd6kr]

This makes my heart so sad.

[@tinydancer7432]

Do you really believe that a God whos all knowing and powerful would find pleasure in something so material and little like that? You cannot be serious. I understand you're going through a lot of hurt, or at least have to the point where you believe that. But I assure you, God cares and just because you feel like you can't hear him or feel like he isn't there when you need him the most, it doesn't mean he's not there. God will NEVER leave ones side on this Earth. If you are still breathing, you can still receive Gods eternal salvation. A gift is not a gift if it's forced, that's why we have free will. God is so merciful he doesn't even force you to believe in him.

[@LydiaTheBusinessWoman]

You're looking through your OCD Scrupulosity lenses. Every word is untrue, OCD is a liar

[@NWLegacyChannel]

@tinydancer. I do. Gods ways are not our own. If god wants torture and us to be miserable and suffer who are YOU to question?