I would say that in today’s culture most everyone has heard of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. If you haven’t seen it portrayed in all it’s infinite, seemingly ‘crazy’ glory via the hit TV show Monk, you’re sure to have seen it played out on reality TV in recent years. MTV, Vh1, TLC, Discovery Channel have each found an audience over the years by spying into the private lives of men and women plagued by Ocd.
In case you’re not sure or in case you have a TV Sunday Night movie idea of just what Ocd is, let me just state that Ocd is far more than a need for cleanliness and symmetry in one’s daily life. It has, over the years, morphed from being considered some sort of insanity, to a neurosis, to a chemical imbalance, to an anxiety disorder. No matter what science prefers to label it today, it is a very real source of emotional and mental torture for more than 2% of the population. While parallel fights ensue in the world of psychology and biology over just what causes Ocd, there is no question that the millions of people who suffer from it seek relief over and over again. For some, that relief is found via medications, changes in diet and counseling. For others, there seems to be no relief at all. For me, it was my faith in God and the plan He gave me that set healing in motion for this once Ocd entrapped person.
Over 14 years ago I found relief for my Ocd, without drugs. In fact, taking a medication never occurred to me. I’m not against pharmaceutical help if needed. But for me, faith was the solution. In some ways I suffered the form of Ocd called ‘scrupulosity’. I was afraid every little thing I did was going to be seen as wrong in God’s eyes, that He was judging me harshly. I was afraid not to seek God for fear I would be rejected. But it wasn’t a healthy kind of ‘fear of the Lord’; it was a deep alarming fear of God, of people, places, death, circumstances…almost everything. Some people are so plagued by religious fear due to their Ocd that they never get past the religiousness to discover God and freedom through Him.
Ocd manifested in many other ways in my life besides what I now know was merely religion. (What I have now is faith and belief, not religion.) My memories of suffering with Ocd stretch back to the age of 8. With each passing year my compulsive behaviors became worse. By the time I was 30 I was nearly fully home-bound, unable to keep a regular job and afraid of everything.
Fear – that’s the driving force behind Ocd. A real, succinct, deep-seeded fear of…well, anything and everything imaginable. Sometimes the fears are rational and sometimes they aren’t. But the need to control something, anything, compels the Ocder to take action…any action, in order to feel better. Hence the counting, repeating, checking, touching, cleaning, hoarding….counting, repeating, checking…
Over time I have realized that if you have a lack of faith then fear will quickly invade your mind; your waking and sleeping thoughts. I also discovered that faith is not the opposite of fear but faith IS the ability to see beyond the fear into the eyes of truth. If fear is darkness then faith is turning the lights on! The opposite of fear is courage. Being courageous is stepping out, moving forward and living even though you feel fear. All you have to do is turn on those lights. Once you can see the lies fear creates in your mind for what they really are, then the brain of the person with Ocd can begin to dispel the many lies that make them feel compelled to obsessive, repetitive, nonsensical actions.
I am a seasoned, experienced, non-suffering Ocder. I wrote a book to help others out and to share the amazing path God took me down in order to manage and heal from the inside out from fear and Ocd! The brain of someone with Ocd is compelling, intelligent and sharp. I learned to use my Ocd to control my Ocd! And that means you can too. God lifted my fear and helped me move beyond the Ocd behaviors that plagued me.
My quest is to help others see that Ocd IS something you can live with, control, eradicate, deal with, move beyond and you CAN keep it from stealing your joy. Through faith, even if your faith is currently enveloped in Ocd, you can find healing.
To read more of my story and how God helped me break free from Ocd, check out my book "Breaking Free From OCD".
Softcover version: Breaking Free From OCD
iTunes iBook: Breaking Free From OCD
Amazon Kindle: Breaking Free From OCD
For more information about Karen and how to schedule her to speak at your conference or retreat, go to www.womaninspired.com
Or check her out on Facebook!
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Let joy be your resting place
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5 (NIV)
Are you in that ‘poor pitiful me’ place today? Perhaps you were yesterday or you will be tomorrow? It happens to the best of us and especially to those of us who tend to turn inward when we’re feeling down. It’s a bad habit to get into. Getting sullen, quiet, backing off from the world because we feel emotional and sad only makes our pity-party grow into a major life event. When we’re downcast and sad, even if we know it’s a situational or even hormonal thing that will soon pass, God doesn’t want us to turn our pain within. He wants us to share it with Him, pour it out and praise Him even in the midst of it. Because the ‘boo -hooing’ will pass and joy truly will come in the morning if we set our heart and mind on Him and His agenda.
If you're not resting, allowing yourself to mull over worry, fear and pain again and again and again....please read on. If you're in a dark place and you can't see anything hopeful right now, I encourage you to look at the past. Did you think you'd ever make it today? Many of us can say we're shocked we're still here. Many of us can see we've seen dark days and felt such sadness that we didn't think we'd ever find a happy moment again. Many of us can say that our hearts have ached over our own choices as well as how others have treated us. Many of us must look back and realistically say that the days behind us were not all dark, though. In fact, most of us can see a myriad of highs and lows behind us. That's life. That's reality. If you look at life as it is today, remember that it won't always be as it is right now. If you're having a difficult time, remember that happiness might be right around the corner and in fact, likely is! If you're at a high point and happy moments are your norm right now, then don't take them for granted because life DOES happen. You'll need to remember that when times get tough.
No matter what...hold on to the joy that wells up in your soul. Being happy is simply about what's happening in the moment. Being joyful is about knowing what's eternal! Being joyful is about allowing yourself to remember that joy and peace surpass all understanding. When you put that smile of hope on your face and others wonder how you can feel joy in the midst of a situation that should otherwise make your soul feel downcast, you have just shown them that you know how to truly live beyond your circumstances and love yourself enough to allow joy to be your resting place.
Please LIKE WomanInspired on Facebook.
For information on conferences, go to www.womaninspired.com
Are you in that ‘poor pitiful me’ place today? Perhaps you were yesterday or you will be tomorrow? It happens to the best of us and especially to those of us who tend to turn inward when we’re feeling down. It’s a bad habit to get into. Getting sullen, quiet, backing off from the world because we feel emotional and sad only makes our pity-party grow into a major life event. When we’re downcast and sad, even if we know it’s a situational or even hormonal thing that will soon pass, God doesn’t want us to turn our pain within. He wants us to share it with Him, pour it out and praise Him even in the midst of it. Because the ‘boo -hooing’ will pass and joy truly will come in the morning if we set our heart and mind on Him and His agenda.
If you're not resting, allowing yourself to mull over worry, fear and pain again and again and again....please read on. If you're in a dark place and you can't see anything hopeful right now, I encourage you to look at the past. Did you think you'd ever make it today? Many of us can say we're shocked we're still here. Many of us can see we've seen dark days and felt such sadness that we didn't think we'd ever find a happy moment again. Many of us can say that our hearts have ached over our own choices as well as how others have treated us. Many of us must look back and realistically say that the days behind us were not all dark, though. In fact, most of us can see a myriad of highs and lows behind us. That's life. That's reality. If you look at life as it is today, remember that it won't always be as it is right now. If you're having a difficult time, remember that happiness might be right around the corner and in fact, likely is! If you're at a high point and happy moments are your norm right now, then don't take them for granted because life DOES happen. You'll need to remember that when times get tough.
No matter what...hold on to the joy that wells up in your soul. Being happy is simply about what's happening in the moment. Being joyful is about knowing what's eternal! Being joyful is about allowing yourself to remember that joy and peace surpass all understanding. When you put that smile of hope on your face and others wonder how you can feel joy in the midst of a situation that should otherwise make your soul feel downcast, you have just shown them that you know how to truly live beyond your circumstances and love yourself enough to allow joy to be your resting place.
Please LIKE WomanInspired on Facebook.
For information on conferences, go to www.womaninspired.com
Monday, April 21, 2014
Healing all the broken pieces
“He personally bore our sins in His (own) body on the tree (as on an altar and offered Himself on it), that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” I Peter 2:24 (Amplified Bible)
Healing has been an intense theme in my life since I was in my early twenties. I sought God out for healing from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, severe adhesions, bladder and kidney problems, hemophilia, a brain aneurysm, broken relationships, infertility, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)…the list goes on. This list might sound meager perhaps compared to yours. Or you may be wondering how in the world my list got so long. But truthfully I am no different than most women. We are each broken vessels, in one way or another, that need to be healed. God has healed many of my physical ailments, though not all. God has put His hand on my heart and my emotions and comforted me many times. What He has not healed me from, He has brought me through and shown me how to use it to help others. He has helped heal all the little cracks inside that used to let my joy escape…and now I am able to hold joy even during the times when my circumstances look seemingly impossible to be joyful about.
We were all born into a sinful world, not of our own doing, and as we walk the path with God or apart from Him, healing is what most people seek. We may call it other things, such as: striving for success, seeking financial freedom, longing for love relationships or ‘reaching for the stars’ but when it comes down to the core of each of these things, what our heart cries out for is fulfillment through spiritual, emotional, mental or physical healing; For if we feel the need to be better, greater, more fulfilled, then we must surmise that we are unfulfilled, incomplete – empty or broken – in one or more of area.
God’s Word tells us that Jesus died for our iniquities. He died for the places inside us that are broken. He died as a sacrifice for our sins and out broken parts. He died to heal the inner-most parts of who we are – the parts that are broken and hurting – that we might be restored and returned to His arms. Because of our hurts most of us attempt to fill ourselves up with things of this world. Many of these pursuits involve sinful tactics and selfish actions to achieve a desired status or recognition. Or they involve filling us with fruitless pursuits that may or may not garner us self-satisfaction, higher wagers, better titles, more accolades. If you’ve come to a place in your life where you realize that the pursuit of all these things is truly is fruitless (bearing no fruit, reaping nothing of substance, lacking in daily nourishment.), then perhaps it’s time to step back and reassess.
I don’t have the answers for your life but I know the One who does. I know that if I pursue God and His path for me rather than what the world expects of me, then I am fully nourished. I don’t feel lost, hungry, empty or afraid. I do feel excited, eager, encouraged, ready to wake up and see what God has next for me…and even when I do feel trepidation or nervousness over what He might expect me to do, I know I am not alone. Where He asks me to go, He will be with me.
If you seek God, you will Him and the path your heart truly desires. If you ask for forgiveness for wasting time, spinning your wheels and letting the world dictate who you should be, He will give it to you. And more importantly, you’ll begin to have healing and fulfillment like you’ve never had before. You are a vessel for God’s love. If you’re broken, allow Him to take you in His hands and heal you. A cup that has cracks in it won’t hold anything for very long, especially joy. God can repair those broken pieces and put you back together in a mighty and beautiful way. I pray you allow Him to.
For more inspiration, check out the book “PMS ~ Praising My Savior” A 28 day devotional for women.
To schedule Karen for a speaking engagement go to Womaninspired.com
Follow Karen on Facebook at A Woman Inspired
Healing has been an intense theme in my life since I was in my early twenties. I sought God out for healing from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, severe adhesions, bladder and kidney problems, hemophilia, a brain aneurysm, broken relationships, infertility, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)…the list goes on. This list might sound meager perhaps compared to yours. Or you may be wondering how in the world my list got so long. But truthfully I am no different than most women. We are each broken vessels, in one way or another, that need to be healed. God has healed many of my physical ailments, though not all. God has put His hand on my heart and my emotions and comforted me many times. What He has not healed me from, He has brought me through and shown me how to use it to help others. He has helped heal all the little cracks inside that used to let my joy escape…and now I am able to hold joy even during the times when my circumstances look seemingly impossible to be joyful about.
We were all born into a sinful world, not of our own doing, and as we walk the path with God or apart from Him, healing is what most people seek. We may call it other things, such as: striving for success, seeking financial freedom, longing for love relationships or ‘reaching for the stars’ but when it comes down to the core of each of these things, what our heart cries out for is fulfillment through spiritual, emotional, mental or physical healing; For if we feel the need to be better, greater, more fulfilled, then we must surmise that we are unfulfilled, incomplete – empty or broken – in one or more of area.
God’s Word tells us that Jesus died for our iniquities. He died for the places inside us that are broken. He died as a sacrifice for our sins and out broken parts. He died to heal the inner-most parts of who we are – the parts that are broken and hurting – that we might be restored and returned to His arms. Because of our hurts most of us attempt to fill ourselves up with things of this world. Many of these pursuits involve sinful tactics and selfish actions to achieve a desired status or recognition. Or they involve filling us with fruitless pursuits that may or may not garner us self-satisfaction, higher wagers, better titles, more accolades. If you’ve come to a place in your life where you realize that the pursuit of all these things is truly is fruitless (bearing no fruit, reaping nothing of substance, lacking in daily nourishment.), then perhaps it’s time to step back and reassess.
I don’t have the answers for your life but I know the One who does. I know that if I pursue God and His path for me rather than what the world expects of me, then I am fully nourished. I don’t feel lost, hungry, empty or afraid. I do feel excited, eager, encouraged, ready to wake up and see what God has next for me…and even when I do feel trepidation or nervousness over what He might expect me to do, I know I am not alone. Where He asks me to go, He will be with me.
If you seek God, you will Him and the path your heart truly desires. If you ask for forgiveness for wasting time, spinning your wheels and letting the world dictate who you should be, He will give it to you. And more importantly, you’ll begin to have healing and fulfillment like you’ve never had before. You are a vessel for God’s love. If you’re broken, allow Him to take you in His hands and heal you. A cup that has cracks in it won’t hold anything for very long, especially joy. God can repair those broken pieces and put you back together in a mighty and beautiful way. I pray you allow Him to.
For more inspiration, check out the book “PMS ~ Praising My Savior” A 28 day devotional for women.
To schedule Karen for a speaking engagement go to Womaninspired.com
Follow Karen on Facebook at A Woman Inspired
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
When the breath of God whispers
When you feel deeply, its easy to pretend you don't. When the breath of God whispers in your ear, "Go here..." Do you ignore Him? Do you swat the whispers away like an unwanted fly? Or do you conjure up the courage to GO or DO or BE...as God calls you? If not, then be still, allow God's presence to wash over you and open up to His guidance.
I've never, ever heard anyone say they regret following God's path for their lives. But I hear MANY cry with regret over the time they wasted not following Him.
I've never, ever heard anyone say they regret following God's path for their lives. But I hear MANY cry with regret over the time they wasted not following Him.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Faithful Son
Not so long ago there was a smart, witty, God-fearing boy who longed to be continually on God’s path, growing in His presence, wisdom and love. This boy awoke one morning, hearing the voice of God tell him to rise and go down the road beside his house...and to keep walking. The boy didn't know where he was going or why God wanted him to go; he just knew that he heard the voice of God and he wasn't going to ignore it.
A little ways down the road he felt a strong stirring to try to see what was at the end of the road. As he peered ahead he could see a great and beautiful tree - just the tops of it because it was quite a distance away. The closer he got to the tree, the more he could see of it and even though he wanted to run, he could hear God telling him to walk and be patient. And so he did walk and he was as patient as he could muster up the strength to be. He was also as obedient as he could be along the path even though at times the walk was exhausting. (Truth be told, his eagerness got the best of him once or twice and he DID stop along the side of the road and climb a tree or two in order to get a better look at this beautiful place God was sending him.)
As the road would take a turn and then go around another bend, the boy never gave up...though he got tired, dusty, too hot, too cold and hungry he kept going. Not once did God fail to provide for him along the path. As he walked further down the path, the boy could see the tree with all its beautiful fruit and foliage getting closer and closer. With his destination clear, he knew he had somehow earned God's favor, not just his grace and mercy. Even when he had occasion to doubt God because he would lose sight of that tree when he went into a valley or as he made his way up the back side of a steep hill, the boy didn't lose faith because he knew God had given him a vision of what was to come.
One day the boy walked up and over a small rise and lo’ and behold, there was the magnificently beautiful tree right in front of him. It had gorgeous tender flowers all over it with the most delicious looking fruit. As he approached the tree he began to cry out in joy and praises to God for bringing him to this blessed destination. But as he praised God he heard His voice once again. The voice of God was saying, "My son, this is not your destination." The boy thought perhaps he was hearing wrong but again God said "My son, this is not your destination."
Bewildered, the boy didn't know what to do. For so long he had seen this tree in his sights and kept moving forward just to partake of what he thought God wanted him to have. God spoke to the boy and said "My son, if you will look closely, the path I laid out for you does not lead to this tree. It goes beside the tree but the path continues on...and so must you."
Disappointed, doubtful and angry, the boy refused to walk any further. Sitting, leaning against the tree, the boy began to cry; at first out of anger and then self-pity. He loved this tree. He had come to know it as a sign of hope, a friend, a welcome vision in the distance. And yet, as he sat below the tree, leaning against it he realized that there was no one and nothing else that mattered more to him than God. Staying in this place that he was not destined for meant he would lose out on the destination God DID have for him. He prayed and realized that if this magnificent place was not his destination then God must surely have something even greater in mind for him. He couldn't imagine anything better but he knew what God's Word said. God's imagination and creativity was far greater than his own. Surely God would be with him as he moved forward.
So, resolved to step out in faith once again, the boy got up, dusted the dirt off his feet and continued walking. Choosing to be like Lot, he did not look back. In fondness he remembered the tree...but in thankfulness he remembered the walk and ALL he had experienced thus far.
As the boy continued forward he came to what he thought was a dead-end; but truly it was a sharp, sharp turn. Step by step the boy managed the sharpness of the steep turn. It surely was worth the effort if God had taken such care to create it for him and it was definitely not the most difficult turn or steepest hill his path had brought him to thus far…so in sheer obedience, he continued. And as he finally conquered the difficult steps, he gave it his all as he headed around another small curve. As he did so, the most brilliant scene came before him...far more beautiful than the previous one. He stopped, awed at the beautiful creation he was witnessing. As he looked around, his heart swelled to see that his path led straight to the most amazing tree he had ever seen; bathed in a beautiful, glowing light; perfumed with the most precious of flowers. And then the boy fell to his knees as he heard God's voice say, "This is what I have prepared for you my son...well done faithful one. Well done."
Karen VanderMarliere- McCracken
© 2011 Womaninspired.com
At times we tend to think that we know just what God has planned for us. Or perhaps, most likely, we make a plan and ask God to bless it. Often, we beg Him to bless it and make it His will for us. When all the while, He has a path already mapped out for us. Sometimes He gives an idea of where we’re headed but the challenge is to take things one day at a time, one step at a time but never, ever out of His will or off His path. Thought we may get weary, worn out or impatient we never need worry because our God will not forsake us. He will always provide for us out of His great storehouse. He will never leave us nor abandon us as so many others do. As we trudge up one hill and down the other side; around the sharp curves and rocky turns, His strength and His Holy Spirit will be with each of us. As we seek to walk where He calls us, no doubt we will occasionally get off track, but our quest is to continue on and fulfill His plan…reaching the destinations along the way that He has for each of us. And reaching our final destination…in His arms.
In Him,
Karen
A little ways down the road he felt a strong stirring to try to see what was at the end of the road. As he peered ahead he could see a great and beautiful tree - just the tops of it because it was quite a distance away. The closer he got to the tree, the more he could see of it and even though he wanted to run, he could hear God telling him to walk and be patient. And so he did walk and he was as patient as he could muster up the strength to be. He was also as obedient as he could be along the path even though at times the walk was exhausting. (Truth be told, his eagerness got the best of him once or twice and he DID stop along the side of the road and climb a tree or two in order to get a better look at this beautiful place God was sending him.)
As the road would take a turn and then go around another bend, the boy never gave up...though he got tired, dusty, too hot, too cold and hungry he kept going. Not once did God fail to provide for him along the path. As he walked further down the path, the boy could see the tree with all its beautiful fruit and foliage getting closer and closer. With his destination clear, he knew he had somehow earned God's favor, not just his grace and mercy. Even when he had occasion to doubt God because he would lose sight of that tree when he went into a valley or as he made his way up the back side of a steep hill, the boy didn't lose faith because he knew God had given him a vision of what was to come.
One day the boy walked up and over a small rise and lo’ and behold, there was the magnificently beautiful tree right in front of him. It had gorgeous tender flowers all over it with the most delicious looking fruit. As he approached the tree he began to cry out in joy and praises to God for bringing him to this blessed destination. But as he praised God he heard His voice once again. The voice of God was saying, "My son, this is not your destination." The boy thought perhaps he was hearing wrong but again God said "My son, this is not your destination."
Bewildered, the boy didn't know what to do. For so long he had seen this tree in his sights and kept moving forward just to partake of what he thought God wanted him to have. God spoke to the boy and said "My son, if you will look closely, the path I laid out for you does not lead to this tree. It goes beside the tree but the path continues on...and so must you."
Disappointed, doubtful and angry, the boy refused to walk any further. Sitting, leaning against the tree, the boy began to cry; at first out of anger and then self-pity. He loved this tree. He had come to know it as a sign of hope, a friend, a welcome vision in the distance. And yet, as he sat below the tree, leaning against it he realized that there was no one and nothing else that mattered more to him than God. Staying in this place that he was not destined for meant he would lose out on the destination God DID have for him. He prayed and realized that if this magnificent place was not his destination then God must surely have something even greater in mind for him. He couldn't imagine anything better but he knew what God's Word said. God's imagination and creativity was far greater than his own. Surely God would be with him as he moved forward.
So, resolved to step out in faith once again, the boy got up, dusted the dirt off his feet and continued walking. Choosing to be like Lot, he did not look back. In fondness he remembered the tree...but in thankfulness he remembered the walk and ALL he had experienced thus far.
As the boy continued forward he came to what he thought was a dead-end; but truly it was a sharp, sharp turn. Step by step the boy managed the sharpness of the steep turn. It surely was worth the effort if God had taken such care to create it for him and it was definitely not the most difficult turn or steepest hill his path had brought him to thus far…so in sheer obedience, he continued. And as he finally conquered the difficult steps, he gave it his all as he headed around another small curve. As he did so, the most brilliant scene came before him...far more beautiful than the previous one. He stopped, awed at the beautiful creation he was witnessing. As he looked around, his heart swelled to see that his path led straight to the most amazing tree he had ever seen; bathed in a beautiful, glowing light; perfumed with the most precious of flowers. And then the boy fell to his knees as he heard God's voice say, "This is what I have prepared for you my son...well done faithful one. Well done."
Karen VanderMarliere- McCracken
© 2011 Womaninspired.com
At times we tend to think that we know just what God has planned for us. Or perhaps, most likely, we make a plan and ask God to bless it. Often, we beg Him to bless it and make it His will for us. When all the while, He has a path already mapped out for us. Sometimes He gives an idea of where we’re headed but the challenge is to take things one day at a time, one step at a time but never, ever out of His will or off His path. Thought we may get weary, worn out or impatient we never need worry because our God will not forsake us. He will always provide for us out of His great storehouse. He will never leave us nor abandon us as so many others do. As we trudge up one hill and down the other side; around the sharp curves and rocky turns, His strength and His Holy Spirit will be with each of us. As we seek to walk where He calls us, no doubt we will occasionally get off track, but our quest is to continue on and fulfill His plan…reaching the destinations along the way that He has for each of us. And reaching our final destination…in His arms.
In Him,
Karen
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