When Faith Meets OCD

A Companion Resource Guide from Mind and Faith Matters

 

Episode Summary

In this episode of Mind and Faith Matters, Dr. Cory Potter sits down with Karen to talk about obsessive-compulsive disorder and faith. OCD can feel overwhelming, especially when intrusive thoughts collide with spiritual struggles. Together, they discuss how faith and mental health can coexist, how God’s truth steadies us when our minds feel unsettled, and why hope in Christ is stronger than fear.

 

Key Scriptures

  • Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

  • Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

  • Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 – "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

 

Key Insights

  • OCD often involves repetitive thoughts or compulsions that can feel intrusive and exhausting.

  • Faith does not erase mental health struggles, but it offers strength, perspective, and hope in the middle of them.

  • Naming the struggle and seeking support, both spiritually and clinically, creates room for healing and managing the diagnosis of OCD.

  • God’s grace is present even when our thoughts feel tangled.

 

Practical Steps

  1. Ground Yourself in Scripture – Memorize verses that remind you of God’s peace and presence.

  2. Pray Honestly – Share your struggles with God, even if your prayers feel repetitive or messy.

  3. Seek Professional Help – A Christian counselor or therapist trained in OCD can provide tools to manage symptoms.

  4. Use Community Support – Share your journey with trusted friends, mentors, or small groups.

  5. Practice Gentle Self-Compassion – Remember OCD is not a reflection of weak faith. Healing often comes through patience and persistence.

Resources

Karen's Poem from the episode:

The OCD Code

A malicious virus infects my brain,

An opportunist, feeding upon my deepest fears;

A glutton never satisfied, it spreads and burrows

Seeking to populate every corner of my mind.

 

My efforts at cracking it have been futile

For against its ageless mastermind

And his arsenal of malware, I am undone.

 

Yet, I have a Savior, a security from evil.

One who paid the ransom for my mind;

He stands guard over me,

For immunity to this virus is more a process

Than a moment.