Hello Friends.

When doing research for these posts, I came across this article.

The article summarizes and lists the symptoms for OCD. As I read through the symptoms, I thought about how strange recovery actually is even though wonderful at the same time. Though our thoughts eventually become so torturous we have no choice but to seek help, for much of our life, the obsessions and compulsions aren’t torturous and are just our world. When our eyes are opened to reality, it can be uncomfortable, even alarming. The realization that what we have been thinking and feeling for so long is not reality is no doubt a jostling experience. So today, for those you who are experiencing this right now, here is the beauty for the ashes.

OCD Symptom:

• fear of contamination from germs, dirt, poisons, and other physical and environmental substances

Beauty for Ashes:

• You have learned that feelings are not facts, no matter how intense they are. Many never learn this extremely important lesson.

OCD Symptom:

• fear of harm from illness, accidents or death that may occur to oneself or to others. This may include an excessive sense of responsibility for preventing this harm

Beauty for Ashes:

• The only way to banish a fear is to face it head-on. Those of us who have suffered from OCD have to do this daily due to the overwhelming belief that these terrible things in our minds are inevitable. Every day, we live life “knowing” that tragedy is on the horizon. While this is definitely a horrifying and exhausting experience, there is such a brilliant light at the end of the tunnel.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25

OCD Symptom:

• intrusive thoughts and images about sex, violence, accidents and other issues

Beauty for Ashes:

• We learn the discipline of taking our thoughts captive. We learn what thoughts are from the Lord and what thoughts are from us; which thoughts are worth our attention and which thoughts aren’t. Again, a crucial lesson some never get to learn.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5

OCD Symptom:

• excessive concern with symmetry, exactness and orderliness

Beauty for Ashes:

• We become disciplined in not being led by strong urges. Thank you Lord, for teaching us self-control.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11

OCD Symptom:

• excessive concerns about illness, religious issues or morality

Beauty for Ashes:

• Due to our affliction, we are hopefully running to our Lord. We fall to our knees before him and are drawn into his glorious word. And He refines us.

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.  Psalm 119:71

OCD Symptom:

• needing to know and remember things.

Beauty for Ashes:

• You learn and retain A TON of information about so many things and become that friend everyone wants on their team for board games. Haha!

Friends, whether you are in the struggle or struggling with the time lost from it, there is good in it all. The time was actually not lost at all, you were being refined. Today, reflect on the beauty that has come from the ashes.

Blessings,
Angela