Is this God answering me or is it OCD?

So lately, I have gotten in the habit of asking God to confirm things. Last week, I had a problem plaguing me. After studying the bible and talking to God, I thought I had an answer. But then I began worrying that it wasn't the answer at all, it was just wishful thinking. I didn't have much battery on my phone by then so I thought "God, if that is your answer let me be able to watch exactly five videos on YouTube before my battery runs out. If I watch more than five videos or my battery dies before I can watch five, it is not your answer. I ended up watching six videos and now I am back to worrying about my problem.

Another thing I do is I will suddenly think things like "God, If I step on cracks it means that if I go to the party tonight something horrible will happen,"

Can go answer through these methods or is it OCD?

My friend, there are many things that people are about to tell you. Consider them all.

Here is my offering to your post:

It seems that you are trying to know the Will of God. Romans 12 tells us that to know the Will of the Lord, we must undergo a Transformation. In the Old Testament, this Transformation is described, yes, for the Jew, but this Transformation is the same for Gentiles as well. There are several references to this Transformation, and here is my favorite:

Ezekiel 36:25-27 KJV - "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."

Until this happens, knowing what God wants for us will always be elusive. Incredibly, the New Testament gives us even more detail on this Transformation. The Ezekiel passages above are a description of the Transformation, but the below passages explain the process of that Transformation. It is simply incredible. And for ease of understanding, I offer it to you through the NLT translation. But spend time in the KJV translation as well, and you will be surprised by how the two translations will open your mind to what is really be said. Here is the New Testament explanation of Transformation:

Colossians 2:9-15 NLT - "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision--the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."

Transformation comes by way of Circumcision of the Heart, which is what is described in the Ezekiel passages above. So, what I am saying is that the only way to know the Will of the Lord is to first seek the Circumcision of Christ. So, do your best to let go of those OCD ways (believe me, I understand) and seek the Lord in the way His Words asks you to above. When you receive this Spiritual Circumcision, Understanding is granted, followed by the Knowledge that you will be given (more and more), and when you begin to act upon that knowledge and experience the effects, Wisdom will belong to you.

I believe in you. I really do believe in you!

I don't believe that's a legitimate way to find God's will. I too find it very hard to hear from God and to know His answer. However you're doing the equivalent of 'putting out a fleece' or 'testing God.'

I wish I could give you solid advice on how to hear from Him but I'm having the same issue myself. But what I wouldn't do is what you're doing. There are some quality sermons on sermon central. I think that would be a good place to start.

This is OCD. Though I never had OCD I used to use similar methods to attempt to know what God thought. And I never learned anything. And at times I ended up making the wrong choices because God had nothing to do with it. Or even convinced myself things were God's will, despite clearly being opposed to what God teaches.
These basically boil down to being nothing more than games being played and that is not the way to know what God wants.
I found being sure of what God wants to often be difficult. But you can still utilize biblical teachings to help you make wise decisions in many areas.
Use what you know to make the best and most informed decisions. And right or wrong God is still involved and works it out anyways.

When our Father comments either way on any question, we know it. You will know it too.

Using vessels of this world to determine God's will is not the proper way. But seeking God's will is by the Spirit by talking to Jesus. No longer worry about the problem after you talk to the Lord. Put it in his hands. Trivial matters handle yourself with the scripture guidance.

Hi!
Matthew 14:22-33
1 Peter 5:7

I pray His Spirit bring understanding to you....

God Bless!

I have always seen prayer as a two way communication. Do you ever stop and just wait for God to literally, verbally, reply to you with His real voice in your home? If not, try that and listen very closely. You may be surprised.

As long as you are not constantly washing your hands even when they are perfectly clean, it is not OCD. That is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

There is nothing wrong with asking God for answers. Since you saw six videos instead of five, you received a super answer. Now go take on the day!

That is one form it can take but there are many other forms OCD can take. Compulsions can take the form of hand washing, checking, repeating words or prayers, repeated actions, avoidance and other forms.

God "can" answer with signs, and we should certainly always be watchful for signs. But were not really supposed to be asking for them all the time.
If you ever believe that the Lord has moved upon you and expects you to single-handedly wipe out a nation of people- I'd say go ahead and ask for as many signs as you want. But if it's a matter of a bible study question, you can probably just patiently knock until you get the answer in time. No need to feel anxious. Just believe that if it's an answer you absolutely need, then you will get it.

If I may ask, what are you specifically asking God to confirm?

Hi Danigirl...
What you are doing, essentially, is practicing divination. You are dictating to God how and when He is to answer you.

A much better way, which is consistent with scriptural teaching, is to ask the Lord to teach you how to hear (and trust) His voice, and let Him lead you. Acknowledge that He alone is sovereign, and that you serve Him rather than the other way around. You might consider asking His forgiveness for treating Him like an omen.

Ask Him to speak to you in a way that you will know it is Him. Keep asking, patiently and respectfully, until He does so. Put the major life decisions on hold until you learn how to obtain His guidance. He is faithful and gentle, and He will teach you... on His schedule and in His way.

Bit of a study Here on this subject...

No, dear one. God doesn’t answer through those methods. He hears your prayers, and He will answer them according to His will.

Actually ocd is a lot more than just handwashing.

Yes, but that is one of the best examples.

For me that is not God. Going to Church (sunday night) said.."God I Know you called me but your word says out of the mouth of 2 or three..can you please tell me again?" So for the first time since we went to that Church and never happened again 3 people came up to me saying "you should be in the ministry, you should be a preacher" so forth so on. I was visiting a elderly man in home who could only moan oh he loved to hear the word of God. So I would go read it and play tapes (dating myself lol). One day praying reading the word I asked the lord why is this man not being healed? He said "remember when Daniel prayed?". I said ok if that is you where is that written? He came right back with "Daniel 10 9-12" haha this is one of those that wow STILL bless me and seems unreal.

Well at that time I had never read the Daniel or the OT. It will ALWAYS have peace in it never worry fear.. always points to HIM in some way and always goes in line with the word of God. Its very wise to ask God to confirm.. today I witness most do not do this. Now all that being said..when we are young in the lord He will do things as you have stated here.. yet we must grow up. Learn to walk by faith by what He has already said.

See like the last thing you said.. that goes against the word of God.. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. What we forget is FAITH can work both ways. OH you have some that say "I get sick every time this year" "every time I go there ...this or that always happens". We must make sure it goes inline with His word.. read Cor 13 and then Gal 5:22+ to see how He works. Never with fear worry doubt.. HE will always back up what HE says with His word..when He talks answers it will always be inline with His word so we KNOW its Him. What I have found..

This thread makes me think of 1 Cor 1:22 and the search for signs.

An example of this I've seen is to flip a coin with a simple yes or no question. If it fumbles during the toss it means the framing of the question is wrong. The point isn't so much to have the coin tell you something but to have insight into which course of action you were really hoping for.