Christian obsessed about salvation

[Vinny687]

Are there any Christians here who have obsessed over the thought of losing your salvation? I don't believe you can, but then I discovered that this issue was bigger than I thought. The most annoying part is you have theologians who are certain they are correct and each has a laundry list of scripture to back up their position. I've been obsessing over this issue of losing salvation for a long time and I'm wondering if it's just my OCD that's causing this? I obsess by frantically searching the Internet for "the answer" but obviously that just makes it worse. I know I'm saved by Christ, yet I'm still greatly bothered by my obsession over this issue. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.

[sixpack]

this seems a fairly common fear.

And I do believe it stems from OCD type thinking.  It really is no different than obsessing over any other thing--ie checking locked doors, hurting someone etc.  It may feel different because it is about God but it is, IMO, stemming from anxiety disorder.

[tinam7]

Agree this is likely to stem from OCD. But just think: what happens to countless non-Christians who commit no crimes and do their best? They all go to hell? Why?

The punishments and rewards are right here on earth. No need to punish yourself with worries. Think of the love you can extend to yourself and to others. That brings only rewards.

[Carryon]

[Carryon]

[Vinny687]

Yes, I agree a very large component of this stems from OCD. I'm actually working on this with my psychiatrist and psychologist. I know what I believe, but then the "what ifs" start and I begin searching for the answer and it just becomes an obsessive, anxious, and depressing mess. The funny thing is, when this all started, I thought I could think my way out of it but I now realize it's part of the OCD. My therapist is taking an interesting approach to this. Instead of me trying to push the thoughts away and trying to find an answer, when the thoughts come up, be with them, don't react to them. It's basically a form of mindfulness and it's helped me in other areas, so I think we're on to something. Also, I'd like to really stress this to my psychiatrist because I know certain medicines can help obsessive thinking too. Btw, thanks for all your responses so far!

-Vinny

[sixpack]

it sounds like you are working on this.  I'm glad.

[Carryon]

Do you take an AD to reverse the ruminating?

[Vinny687]

Do you take an AD to reverse the ruminating?

Well, I was on Lexapro for some time but it wasn't working well, my doc switched me to imipramine and I've only been on it for 2 weeks. Are there meds that specifically help obsessive thinking? I know the SSRIs do but only several are actually approved for OCD. And I believe Anafranil is supposedly the best for OCD but for some reason my doc chose Ipipramine? So, I'm going to seek another doctor for a second opinion, like someone else would for any other illness. Do you guys agree in seeking a second opinion? My doc is older and experienced but I feel he's just throwing meds at me and not really following an algorithm. What do you guys think? Thank you so much for your input.

[Carryon]

My niece has OCD and takes Lexapro. Make your life easier, worry less: don't think about a second opinion. Try the Lexapro for several months at least. You don't need a second opinion on the medication. There are others, e.g. Effexor XR. Everyone responds differently to the medications; hence, you should give this one a shot. If it doesn't improve your outlook much your doctor will switch you to another. The medication may be your salvation. Seek improvement not perfection. You are a moving target. 

[tigerpaw]

Unfortunately Vinny as you can see non-Christians will add their thoughts however from a totally secular point of view, and have no knowledge of Biblical fact since most have NEVER read the Bible.

There are various arguments among Christian Scholars, However, I am of the view, that once you commit your life to Jesus its a done deal. You will constantly have the war of Flesh against the Spirit but this is a life journey. Ultimately you will enjoy your eternal life in Heaven.

[Carryon]

[Vinny687]

My niece has OCD and takes Lexapro. Make your life easier, worry less: don't think about a second opinion. Try the Lexapro for several months at least. You don't need a second opinion on the medication. There are others, e.g. Effexor XR. Everyone responds differently to the medications; hence, you should give this one a shot. If it doesn't improve your outlook much your doctor will switch you to another. The medication may be your salvation. Seek improvement not perfection. You are a moving target.

Sorry if I didn't clarify this a little better. I was on Lexapro (at the max dose) for 20 weeks with a very poor response. That's more than enough time. I just started imipramine two weeks ago and we're slowly upping the dosage, so I'm certainly willing to give it a chance. I've had a great response to Lexapro 2 years ago and unfortunately it's not working now. But I'm not giving up either. Thanks for your response.
 

[Vinny687]

Unfortunately Vinny as you can see non-Christians will add their thoughts however from a totally secular point of view, and have no knowledge of Biblical fact since most have NEVER read the Bible.

There are various arguments among Christian Scholars, However, I am of the view, that once you commit your life to Jesus its a done deal. You will constantly have the war of Flesh against the Spirit but this is a life journey. Ultimately you will enjoy your eternal life in Heaven.

Thanks for your response! I know what I believe but it's the ruminating that just makes me doubt and question things. When obsessing over something like salvation, it's very disturbing. But I know it's my obsessive tendencies that are mostly causing this problem.

[sixpack]

right vinny

for whatever reason--OCD BEASTY tends to pick something that is important to you or frightens you somehow.  I mean if you obsessed over something you gave no care about, it would have no bite, ya know.

Lots of people have OCD towards their faith or salvation etc.  I am glad you see it for what it is--not your actual salvation but your OCD...

[Crimson Serenity]

When I was young I had a lot of OCD tendencies -- and this was one of the things I was OCD about, too. I was also an obsessive hand-washer -- when I was a child I washed my hands until they cracked and bled. Eventually I was somehow able to jump out of the OCD mindset (I have no idea how exactly) but the guilt was still there and manifested itself in other ways (anxiety, depression, eating disorder).

[Carryon]

[Vinny687]

My niece has OCD and takes Lexapro. Make your life easier, worry less: don't think about a second opinion. Try the Lexapro for several months at least. You don't need a second opinion on the medication. There are others, e.g. Effexor XR. Everyone responds differently to the medications; hence, you should give this one a shot. If it doesn't improve your outlook much your doctor will switch you to another. The medication may be your salvation. Seek improvement not perfection. You are a moving target.

Sorry if I didn't clarify this a little better. I was on Lexapro (at the max dose) for 20 weeks with a very poor response. That's more than enough time. I just started imipramine two weeks ago and we're slowly upping the dosage, so I'm certainly willing to give it a chance. I've had a great response to Lexapro 2 years ago and unfortunately it's not working now. But I'm not giving up either. Thanks for your response.

It what respect was your response different than two years ago?

2 years ago, my depression, anxiety, and OCD got progressively better over the first 4 weeks with max benefit at 15 weeks. This time, very little response after 4 weeks, with a plateau from there on. The funny thing is, I am now in therapy and it's helping me realize and change my negative thought patterns but my symptoms are still pretty bad, which makes me think that I still need to find a med or combo which will work for me. It's kinda frustrating but I've read about many other people here that didn't give up and found something that worked for them. So, like your username says, I just have to Carry on!

[Carryon]

Therapy may be more effective because of the medications. In combination, it will be easier to rewire your brain to be more positive. No one knows for sure, but it's a reasonable theory that even the medications alone give a person an improved outlook allowing him to lead a more positive life, all involving positive brain activity. The brain, afterall, is programmed by good and bad habits and thinking from birth ---- positive reinforcement. We are what we think.

[Vinny687]

Therapy may be more effective because of the medications. In combination, it will be easier to rewire your brain to be more positive. No one knows for sure, but it's a reasonable theory that even the medications alone give a person an improved outlook allowing him to lead a more positive life, all involving positive brain activity. The brain, afterall, is programmed by good and bad habits and thinking from birth ---- positive reinforcement. We are what we think.

Yes, I totally agree that the meds alone can produce a more positive outlook. The first time I responded so well to Lexapro, I became more social, reconnected with my friends, landed a good job which required a lot of difficult work, etc. The medicine helped remove the anxiety and depression which were literally preventing me from living a life. So, the normal things became fun and easy again. And my attitude was much more positive even without therapy. BUT now, I'm making progress in therapy in regardings to my negative thinking pattern, but still working on the meds. I feel when I find the right medicine, the combination will be very beneficial. You're right, we are what we think, and the pain in the butt is when anxiety is present, it's so difficult to be positive. Did you have to go through a few trials/combos of medicine before it "clicked" for you?

[Carryon]

My situation is different. I take an SSNRI and Ativan to help me with IBS pain and tinnitus which I have for many years but seemed to get out hand in the last year or two from atypical speed bumps on life's windy road to nowhere. As my doctor put it, I have physical stuff that makes me feel rotten and that makes me nervous which compounds the problem. I take Effexor XR, which eliminated the pain and because I feel better the tinnitus is less of problem but when it "gets to me" I use the Ativan and if can't sleep well because of the tinnitus I take Lunesta. Before this, I tried Wellbutrin XR, which I tolerated well. It didn't eliminate the physical stuff but boosted my energy a bit making it more tolerable, but at the price of feeling edgy. It's know to increase anxiety.

[drjekyll]

Since you are a Christian, you are likely aware that the only sin that cannot be forgiven is "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit". This is often understood to be a complete rejection of Christ by a believer, to the point where the individual no longer has an interest in being saved anyway. It is a supernatural thing that causes us to want to be saved, so anyone who fears losing their salvation cannot have lost it.

As for me, I worry about it sometimes too. I also worry that I might have colon cancer every time I have indigestion after eating too much pizza. It's all part of OCD. Vinny, I know what you mean about how you thought you could "think your way out of it". I have foung that the longer these obsessions go, the harder that becomes. Logic seems to only help for so long before it is broken down by the constant drumbeat of "what if". I can think clearly about everything except what I am worrying about.

[lexbadboy]

i believe that as long as you believe in god and live his way that you will go to heaven and that these people that say you have to to be save need to worry about them selves, and most of them are hipocites any ways , they live  bad live all week long but because they go to church on sunday they think they are better than the rest of us.

[Carryon]

i believe that as long as you believe in god and live his way that you will go to heaven and that these people that say you have to to be save need to worry about them selves, and most of them are hipocites any ways , they live  bad live all week long but because they go to church on sunday they think they are better than the rest of us.

There are people who claim to believe and live his way without concern for salvation and church attendance who are hypocrites. An easily club to join, entirely subjective since it takes nothing to believe.