I have been in therapy long enough to know that those compulsions you’re battling (whether it’s something, someone or some thought) have nothing to do with the compulsion itself. Your hand washing has nothing to do with being clean. Your counting has nothing to do with having the exact number and that person you’re obsessed with has nothing to do with him (or her) but everything to do with yourself.
I was afraid. Perhaps you feel you don’t have control over anything in your life or that there is something so terrible in your past that it’s ‘easier’ to just deny it. Can you see it’s there? It just has a different name.
It’s time to ground yourself to REAL. God has gifted certain people with the passion of caring and the empathy of understanding what you are going through. He has given them the skills to support you as you look fear in the face and give it a name. It’s called therapy and when you make that choice, believe in yourself and live this out – guess what? The compulsions STOP. You won’t need them anymore. A sense of peace comes over you. You’ll have a breathing space and you will realize those obsessions never really mattered in the first place.
I am so grateful for that woman in my life who refused to let me live a life of someone – I was NOT. The friend brave enough to say, “I think you’ve got a problem.” Be that brave friend to someone you love. Or, if you have obsessions and compulsions – take heart! You are not alone and God will be with you through your whole journey – back home.
“I am in pain and distress. May your salvation protect me, Oh God.” Psalm 69: 29