katIn my last blog I talked about my journey with OCD and my belief that our attitude and mindset is the key to overcoming it.
I still struggle with OCD and anxiety. I’m sure you’re curious about what actual coping mechanisms I use to overcome intrusive and negative thoughts.
One night when I was in Brazil I had an anxiety attack unlike anything I’ve experienced in a while. The night before I had a dream these greenish gray snakes were coming toward me through a screen, slithering their tongues and hissing at me. Then I woke up from the dream. My heart was pounding from how vivid it was. I felt it was a sign to pray more and that Satan was trying to attack my thoughts. Since my purpose for going to Brazil was faith-based, it’s only natural the enemy was trying to attack me.
Anyway, that night I couldn’t stop shaking and was having lots of fearsome, intrusive thoughts I felt I couldn’t control. Later, I realized it was OCD. I get immense anxiety when big changes happen in my life and going to a completely different country was a huge change.
That night my sister in Christ Mel heard me and asked what was wrong. I couldn’t hide it from her so I told her I was struggling with my thoughts and I felt I was struggling spiritually. She said that because my soul and spirit are radiant, demons can see that and are attacking me. As we chatted, she suddenly said, “Come here,” and she grabbed me and embraced me. She hugged me until I calmed down. It was exactly what I needed– a big motherly hug to feel present, to come back to reality.
She then proceeded to ask me what I liked about the day and what I was looking forward to tomorrow- I could tell it was an exercise to bring me back to reality, and I appreciated it. In her arms I tried to think only of my responses and slowly I felt myself coming back to the present moment. Still though, I couldn’t stop shaking and I asked if she could tell me stories about Jesus and as she did, I was able to calm down and eventually stopped shaking. She told me I could wake her at any moment and reassured me. I felt so comforted and I knew it was the Holy Spirit who worked through her to help me.
The next morning the scripture on the Bible app was the following, “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
I felt God was encouraging me and letting me know that all this suffering had a purpose and if I overcome it I can help others overcome it too.
Tonight I was struggling again, but there is no one here with me who can help me except the Lord. So as I was sitting here I felt the urge to journal and I wrote down all the lies Satan was telling me about myself and all the negative thoughts I’ve had throughout the day.
I started searching for scripture to defeat the lies and writing the scriptures down one by one in a notebook really helped me. So for today’s blog I wanted to share these with you.
For when you are struggling with lustful thoughts:
1. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
✧ Train your mind to dwell on beauty, truth, and holiness.
2. 1 Corinthians 6:18–19
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”
✧ Your body is sacred. Honor the Spirit who lives within you.
3. Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
✧ Purity isn’t old-fashioned—it’s God’s purpose of creation.
4. Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
✧ Purity begins in prayer. Ask God to do the inner work.
5. 2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
✧ Out of love and reverence, we choose holiness every day.
6. Romans 13:14
“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
✧ Wear Christ. Don’t even entertain the flesh’s whispers.
7. Psalm 119:9
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
✧ God’s Word is the map to a pure life.
8. 1 Peter 1:16
“For it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'”
✧ You’re set apart. Called higher. Reflect His nature.
9. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
✧ God doesn’t shame you—He purifies you.
10. Matthew 5:28
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
✧ Purity is not just physical—it’s internal. Guard your thoughts.
11. 2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
✧ Don’t just run from sin—run toward righteousness with community.
12. Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
✧ Your heart is the wellspring of life. Guard it like treasure.
For when you are struggling with temptation of any kind:
1. 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.”
✧ God never abandons us in temptation—He always makes an escape route.
2. Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
✧ Awareness + prayer = strength. You’re not weak for struggling—just human. Stay connected to God.
3. James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
✧ You are not powerless. Submitting to God gives you the authority to make evil back off.
4. James 1:12–16
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.”
✧ Temptation doesn’t come from God. It starts in the heart—but you can stop it before it grows.
5. Hebrews 2:18
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
✧ Jesus gets it. You can cry out to Him because He’s been where you are. We can ask the Lord for help because He understands more than anyone.
6. Ephesians 6:11
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
✧ This is spiritual warfare. But you are equipped to stand firm with God’s armor on.
7. Matthew 4:1–11
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil…
Jesus answered, ‘It is written…’
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
✧ Jesus didn’t fight Satan with emotion— He fought with Scripture.
For those struggling with hatred or grudges:
1 John 4:20
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
✧ Reminder: Hatred contradicts our identity in Christ. God calls us to be real in love.
2. Matthew 5:43–44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
✧ Loving those who are hard to love is a strength. Prayer purifies the heart.
3. Ephesians 4:31–32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
✧ Letting go doesn’t mean pretending nothing happened—it means choosing freedom.
4. Romans 12:17–21
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
✧ You don’t have to become what hurt you. You’re called to overcome it.
5. 1 Corinthians 13:5
“Love… keeps no record of wrongs.”
✧ True love lets go of the past to make room for healing and peace.
6. Leviticus 19:17–18
“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart… Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge… but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
✧ Even in the Old Testament, God called His people to live above bitterness.
7. Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
✧ Where hatred divides, love heals.
For those struggling with negative self talk, self-hatred, and knowing your worth
1. Psalm 139:13–14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
✧ You were handcrafted by God. Every inch of you is purposeful, intentional, and sacred.
2. Isaiah 43:4
“You are precious and honored in my sight… and I love you.”
✧ God calls you precious—not pitiful. Honored—not hopeless. Loved—not left behind.
3. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
✧ Your body is not a battleground—it’s a temple. Jesus paid a high price for you.
4. John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
✧ God doesn’t want you to just survive—He wants you to live fully and freely.
5. Romans 8:38–39
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God…”
✧ Not your darkest moment. Not your worst thought. You are still loved.
6. 2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
✧ Even when you feel weak, God is holding you. You are not alone in the fight.
7. Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s masterpiece… created in Christ Jesus to do good works…”
✧ You are a masterpiece. Not a mistake. Not a burden. Not broken beyond repair.
For those struggling with loneliness and forgetting God’s promises:
1. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
✧ Even when others leave or don’t understand—God stays.
2. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
✧ God draws closer in your low moments, not away.
3. Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God…”
✧ You’re not abandoned—you’re accompanied by the Almighty.
4. John 14:18
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
✧ *Jesus promised you’d never be spiritually orphaned. He came for you.
5. Psalm 25:16
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”
✧ Even David, a man after God’s heart, felt lonely. You’re in holy company.
6. 2 Timothy 4:16–17
“Everyone deserted me… But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength…”
✧ Even Paul was left alone—but never truly alone. The Lord stood beside him.
7. Matthew 28:20
“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
✧ *Not just in spirit. Not just when you feel it. Always.
The armor is the Word of God. He is our shield, our salvation, and our strength. Prayer is the act of calling on God, seeking to be in his presence and protection.
Remain in Him and He will remain in you.
Don’t give up- you can overcome everything with Jesus. Let His power be made perfect in your weakness.
When Satan tries to speak lies into your mind- cling to Scripture like it is your life and remember the truth.
You are dearly loved by the beloved Creator of this universe. He holds you in His arms.
Until next time and with deep, sincere love,
Kat <3
