After Sally’s clinician conducted a comprehensive assessment of her clinical condition, she said, “Your symptoms suggest that your challenges are linked to religious scrupulosity OCD.” Sally’s immediate response was, “I’d rather have a faith crisis than OCD!” Sally’s reaction was completely understandable amidst the enduring stigma and misconceptions surrounding OCD. It was natural for her to feel upset and overwhelmed, and the next step was for her to decide whether to pursue therapy or take a different path.

Can you relate to Sally’s predicament? When doubts arise, has your mind ever hinted that they might be linked to a faith crisis? When individuals are deeply devoted to their faith, and doubts start creeping in, the distress can be intolerable.

Understanding a faith crisis

Growing up in a religious setting allows us to learn about God and our particular faith tradition. As we age and develop emotionally and psychologically, it is natural to have questions not just about our faith but also about the world around us.

Could it be that the sense of a “crisis” arises when we think we shouldn’t have doubts or questions? Society often gives the misleading message that we “should not feel angry, sad, or doubtful.” When we experience these emotions, do we begin to believe that we are at fault or that something is inherently wrong with us?

As humans, we naturally experience all kinds of thoughts and emotions. Just as we cannot influence the weather, we also cannot dictate our internal experiences such as thoughts, feelings, sensations, and urges. The key lies in how we react to external events (like learning new information about our faith) or internal struggles (like doubts), as this can have a significant impact. This is where the real challenge may arise.

Experiencing doubts about our faith can evoke a range of emotions such as anxiety, guilt, shame, anger, confusion, and a sense of betrayal. The further we delve into the past (mentally time-traveling), the more prolonged these feelings become. How can we address this? Let’s explore the insights offered by the bonfire metaphor.

The Bonfire

Imagine you are gathered with friends around a bonfire, and a park ranger approaches, calmly stating, “While there is no immediate danger, would you mind extinguishing the bonfire when convenient?” Given the absence of nearby water sources, limited drinking water, and a scarcity of sticks or even blankets, what would you do with only a stack of wood logs beside the bonfire?

In such a scenario, it would not make sense to add the wood logs to put out the fire. Instead, you might choose to let the bonfire naturally fade away, following the park ranger’s guidance of no immediate danger. Interestingly, in challenging life situations, we tend to fuel our emotions (the bonfire) with additional thoughts (wood logs). Have you ever observed this pattern in your own life?

Quenching the Doubts

Engaging in behaviors like surfing the internet, can temporarily ease your doubts and provide a sense of satisfaction. Your mind could start suggesting negative thoughts such as “They lied to me.” or “They are bad.” due to how you feel. Even if the words you encounter aren’t accurate, if they resonate with your emotions, you might be inclined to believe they are true. Seeking validation, you may unknowingly add fuel to your “faith crisis bonfire.”

Anything can fuel the bonfire. And even when the information does not match the values you wish to live (e.g., faith, connecting with God), you might believe it because after all, it “feels” coherent.

We frequently opt for paths that align with what we are yearning for and makes sense, even if they may not be entirely accurate or beneficial for us. Now, let’s explore the another option when it comes to navigating your faith crisis:

Scrupulosity OCD might be involved

The scrupulous mind might lead you to believe that certainty is essential to resolve all your doubts, or else feelings of anxiety, distress, shame, and guilt will linger constantly. While it may seem that way during challenging times, thoughts and emotions are transient. When we cling to them for analysis or try to suppress, replace, ignore, or dispute them, they become more entrenched.

Do your behaviors continuously bring you the peace you seek, or do they seem to trap you in a cycle where finding that peace becomes elusive? Are you then inclined to blame God and your faith?

Have you thought about how these distressing and turbulent thoughts and emotions might be the work of the preachy (scrupulosity OCD) mind?

Consider consulting with a mental health provider, who understands OCD. They can help you change your relationship with the doubts, distress and other overwhelming emotions you are experiencing related to your faith and God.

You can learn psychological flexibility skills that will allow you to be open and recognize if your doubts are reasonable or obsessional. You can look at life with hope and peace despite uncertainty and doubts.

We are living in the “microwave” generation. We want answers right now! True. And you can choose to get the short and quick answers through social media to appease your mind. It makes sense that you would want to get immediate answers. Who has time to read, search, and ponder?

Before abandoning your faith, reflect on the following aspects:

• Are your thoughts and emotions hindering you from making a decision based on your values?

• When you feel deeply disappointed with your religion, reflect on whether your actions, while seemingly logical, are actually leading you away from what is most important to you.

• Is this information beneficial for your life and the person you aspire to be?

• Are you actively seeking information from sources that contradict your faith and beliefs? How does this impact your overall well-being?

• Are the insights from your research aligning with your emotions? Do they bring a sense of coherence? Are they also bringing you vitality and purpose, or just suffering, anxiety, and guilt?

You have the choice to prioritize and act on what truly matters to you. Reflect on whether these actions bring you the desired sense of purpose, energy, and joy in your life. Or are you unintentionally adding fuel to the ‘faith crisis’ flame?

Conversely, are you ready to patiently and diligently seek the knowledge you desire from sources that can help you remain receptive to experiencing God’s love?

Trust the journey as you explore your beliefs and practice patience with yourself!

Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash