“Back to square one.” That was the calling card of my OCD. Every time I felt some relief from a compulsion, every time I thought I had gained some ground in getting my life back, I would step on a mental land mine and it would blow me back to the beginning again.

OCD is a ruthless enemy. It makes you question everything and then it makes you land on the most anxiety inducing outcome. It is a hamster wheel from hell. I don’t like hamsters in the first place. I certainly don’t want to be one.

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The key to overcoming OCD is NOT figuring out if my theme is legitimate. It is to get off the hamster wheel. I need an entirely new grid through which to view my life. The old one is broken. I need to take my OCD glasses off.

How?

1. Recognize I have OCD. Check that box.
2. Reaffirm that any twinge of anxiety (not matter if I think it only might be OCD) is in fact OCD. Label it.
3. Refocus on the present moment. Work. School. Leisure. Stay in the present.
4. Repeat.

Here’s a little secret…

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO THIS PERFECTLY.

Thankfully, you don’t have to.

Defeating OCD is training my neuropathways in my brain to fire in a different direction. This is building a habit. It takes time. Relax.

If (and when) you fail, the question becomes, will you have the courage to fight again. If you pray, pray that God would give you the strength needed to treat your OCD as it must be treated.

He gives strength to the weary and increases power to the weak…those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength….So do not fear.

Isaiah 40 and 41 provide the utmost comfort. I have a God who sees my affliction and is inviting me to rest on his strength. Whether your struggle is OCD, depression, or general anxiety, God wants to help you.

He designed you for a life of full and complete joy. Ask him to make it a reality in your experience. He will. He has in my life.

You don’t have to be perfect. In fact, you can’t be. Don’t be afraid to admit that and receive the love and the grace that Your Father longs to give you. He will do it. He promises to do nothing less.