I only mentioned The Exorcism of Emily Rose because it deals with the reality of the demonic. Many people do not understand or believe in the possibility of being possessed or oppressed by demons. Jesus and his disciples dealt with it all the time and it still goes on. I know someone who played Quija board and levitation games innocently as a child. This person was possessed by the devil. I saw it, I heard them and saw many manifestations of them. Obsessive thoughts and fear of germs were one of the manifestations. Our culture is so lenient, permissive and infiltrated with demonic influences that have become acceptable. Many Christians participate with evil by watching inappropriate TV, movies, music, novels, magazines and ungodly relationships. We are to live a holy life but unfortunately, this is not spoken enough of. Even at Mass, we see people dressed horribly while partaking the Holy Eucharist. We are to come out of the world and its practices.
I do think that cognitive therapy is helpful if it is just a case of incorrect thinking patterns. Controlling our thoughts is a battle because the battle is in the mind. This takes self discipline. I pray to Jesus to help me control my thoughts. I ask for the mind of Christ. I listen to Christian music and give praise to the Lord. I practice the opposite of what negative thoughts suggest. If I have trouble sleeping, I quote scriptures that have to do with sleep. It works most of the time.
I do not think your condition is from God. I sensed from reading your first post that it is caused by your curiosity with fantasy and occult practices.
You are in my prayers. May the Lord Jesus Christ wrap His loving arms around you and heal you.
Jesus is the answer.
Dearist sister in the Lord, thank you for your prayers and concerns, I appriciate them greatly. But I have to say I still disagree with you on a few aspects, fantasy for one.
I understand your concern with fantasy and used to hold the same view when I was Protestant, but interestingly enough, my OCD was already in effect, even before i read any fantasy. In fact, coming to God INCREASED much of the condition, giving me a scruples way of thinking. So I can say, had I never came to God, I wouldn’t have had or have such a severe case of OCD. I can tell you first hand that MANY heavenly spiritual things enhanced it.
I do not approve of certain fantasy, I agree there are many that are extremely and PURPOSELY anti-Christian, but not all. For the positive side I am speaking of Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” and his “Space Trilogy,” along with Susan Cooper’s “The Dark is Rising” and Madeline Howard’s “Rune of Unmaking” and many more. There are many moral issues and spiritual parallels in these novels that we can see and become influenced by—
for the better! They’re not stories thought up by demons, such ideas for me seem so absurd, no pun intended dearist sister.
My novel is similar, in fact, the entire story is symbolic to the walk of a Christian’s life and what he/she faces, the battles and struggles, hopes and failings, etc. In fact, there is a scene strikingly similar to what took place in the early church days upon becoming a Christian and seeing and taking in the Eucharist the very first time.
You can use that “Satan is the author” saying on everything non-Christian, but is he the author of
every single non-Christian story? I do not believe such a thing at all. Niether is there any harm in learning about another faith such as Islam, Judaism or even Buddhistism. If we didn’t know what they taught, how could we defend against them when they come knocking at our door demanding us to convert? I even hold respect for other faiths. I do not believe them, but I can respect *some *of them.
So my point is, just because something is not about the greatest story ever told, Jesus the Christ, or any other event and character in the Bible, does not make it satanic. Quija boards, tarot cards, and actual real life magic spell are a definite no! no! because those who use such things believe they can bring in power from the spiritual world, and those who use them for “fun” not really believing in it, well, that’s like a child playing with a loaded gun not meaning to fire it. It might go off, it might not. Point is, such things
like that I agree are dangerous. But I trust the Church when she says there are certain stories and myths and fantasy which the laymen can read and it is not sin.
My OCD, i also believe, is from God. If it’s from Satan, then I have Satan to thank, because it has made me EXTREMELY more humble to God, it has eradicated SO MUCH of my haughty past pride and brought me further on my knees before the Lord, and I am slower to anger than I used to be. Mostly though, it has weakened my pride, and pride is the center of all sins. It hurts, at times really REALLY REALLY hurts! But so does Purgatory, or so WILL Purgatory. Suffering is something we must go through to be purified so that we stand before our Bridegroom unspoiled and completely clean, ready for Him to take us into His “bed.”
I admit, if I were not married, i’d probably give up ALL earthly attachments and become a fransician, and live in a monestary. St. Francis has attracted me more than any other saint, and there was a time I really REALLY wanted to imitate the way he lived because it is so much easier to cling to God that way. But, I am married, and cannot do the things my spirit sometimes desires because I have a bride to care for and love, and I do love her.
God bless you Kathy dearist sister in the Lord.
