"...For many listeners (or readers) as soon as you use the word, father, walls go up. Because of abusive fathers, negligent fathers or absentee fathers, our image of God as a father has become distorted and even painful."
- Joyce Meyer
My Daddy and I
Daddy Issues....many of us have them. Maybe you were raised in a house-hold without a father or felt abandoned or rejected by your own. Often times, the experience we have here on earth with our earthly father affects the view we have of God as our Heavenly Father. It's so easy to allow our relationship with our fathers here on earth shape the view we have of the Lord. If you grew up with a Dad who was constantly nitpicking you for every little thing, you may find yourself feeling like God is doing the same. If you didn't feel loved or cared for by your Dad, you most likely have built up some walls to keep others out, and for many of us that includes keeping the Lord out also. I'll be the first to admit that I have plenty of walls up...even with those who are closest to me. I'm in a season where I am learning to receive love from others because it doesn't come natural with all the walls built up around my heart.
- Joyce Meyer
Daddy Issues....many of us have them. Maybe you were raised in a house-hold without a father or felt abandoned or rejected by your own. Often times, the experience we have here on earth with our earthly father affects the view we have of God as our Heavenly Father. It's so easy to allow our relationship with our fathers here on earth shape the view we have of the Lord. If you grew up with a Dad who was constantly nitpicking you for every little thing, you may find yourself feeling like God is doing the same. If you didn't feel loved or cared for by your Dad, you most likely have built up some walls to keep others out, and for many of us that includes keeping the Lord out also. I'll be the first to admit that I have plenty of walls up...even with those who are closest to me. I'm in a season where I am learning to receive love from others because it doesn't come natural with all the walls built up around my heart.
Psalm 103:13
"The Lord is like a father to his
children, tender and compassionate
to those who fear him"
children, tender and compassionate
to those who fear him"
One of the things I constantly have to do is remind myself about who God is and the Father He promises to be TO me. He promises to love me with an unfailing love....He promises to work all things out for my good...He promises to be tender and compassionate....He promises that His thoughts towards me are precious....that He loves me and isn't looking down on me...He promises to not constantly accuse me and nitpick at every little thing I do....He promises to correct me and discipline me....He promises to keep me safe, that the number of my days He will fulfill...AND, one of my favorites....He promises to fill my life with GOOD things!
Matthew 7:11
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father who is in heaven give good things
to those who ask him!"
gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father who is in heaven give good things
to those who ask him!"
Gosh, the Lord is SO faithful. He truly is a GOOD, GOOD Father. He literally does exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask for hope for or imagine. Correction and discipline don't always feel good...and often times we look at God as the bad guy because He gives us certain rules/boundaries we should live by...but they are for our own good. No good parent is going to allow their child to play with fire! I currently work as an infant and toddler teacher...my classroom is a mixed age group (3mos-2.5 years). Right now we have 2 infants who are learning to crawl and move around the classroom, and they often get very upset when we put them back in baby space where they are protected by barriers and can play safely. You see, its not that we don't want them to play...but we need them to play in a space where they are safe from the older children who are running all over the classroom so that they don't get hurt. In the same way, the Lord gives us some boundaries that help keep us and others safe...physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. He cares about every aspect of our being and every detail of our life.
Know that the Lord has not forgotten about you, regardless of whatever season you may be in during this phase of your life. Maybe you're reading this and are on the fence about this whole "God thing"....it seems so....surreal and you're not sure you have what it takes to journey on this faith walk....I promise you this: God never fails. Ever. He will give you strength. It's so, so worth it!
Xoxo,
Beth
Xoxo,
Beth
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