As women, our view of God is often greatly influenced by the men we have known—particularly our fathers. Our perception of God can be positively or negatively shaped by those men. I am blessed and deeply grateful to have had a loving, faithful, involved father. This has made is easier for me to trust my heavenly Father and to receive His love.
However, many women have had just the opposite experience. Your father may have been distant, absent, overbearing, harsh, abusive, or unable to express love. If so, the idea of God being your “Father” may make you cringe. You may relate to these women:
“I had a stepfather who was cruel to me, and it is very hard to accept that God is not like him.”
“My dad is a Christian and a good guy, but I have never heard much encouragement from him. For instance, when I would help him paint, I would say, ‘Does this look okay?’ hoping to hear, ‘Hey, that looks really nice!’ But he would only say, ‘Try not to____ [whatever].’ Maybe that is why I imagined God finding fault instead of loving me unconditionally and accepting me.”
If you have been wounded by a father—or another man you trusted—you may find it difficult to trust God. You may even be afraid of Him or angry with Him. You must believe me when I tell you that God is not like any man you have ever known. The wisest, kindest earthly father is but a pale reflection of our heavenly Father. The God of the Bible is infinitely more wonderful and pure and loving than even the most wonderful father. That is why it is so important that we not allow our view of God to be determined by other men, for at their very best they are flawed representations of God.
If you want to know what God is really like, you need to turn to the Word of God, which clearly reveals what He is like; you need to get to know Jesus, who is the “radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb. 1:3).
The God of the Bible is a compassionate, tender, merciful Father. That doesn’t mean He gives us everything we want—no wise father would give his children everything they want. It doesn’t mean we can always understand His decisions—He is far too great for that. It doesn’t mean He never allows us to suffer pain—in fact, at times, He actually inflicts pain and hardship upon us. Why? Because He loves us. Because He cares about us. Because He is committed to us. Hebrews tells us, “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness” (12:10).
Regardless of how we feel or what we think, the fact remains that He is a good Father who dearly loves His children—a Father who can be trusted with our lives. Do you believe that? Why or why not?
Excerpted from Lies Women Believe: and the Truth That Sets Them Free! by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
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on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 9:17 am
Yesterday during my devotion God showed me a time in my life when my own dad , had a moment were he showed me his love for me. I was an infant and I do not remember, but God gave this gift to me. Thanks be to God, my Abba , Father.
I pray for healing for all the woman who need to be touched by HIM.
on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 9:24 am
on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 11:01 am
I've come a long way from the wreck he left me as...my Heavenly Father has effected much healing over the years. But much still needs to be done, I know. I've entered a new phase of the healing, brought on by the passing of my dear husband, Brian, last May. It's a difficult and painful process...yet I am thankful for what my Father is doing to make me free to know Who He REALLY is!
Thank you for this post, Nancy...:)
on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Let's face it, we are human and we can miss the perfect timing to show with great joy when our children are looking for acknowledgement and encouragement and even show appreciation for just trying.
WE all grow up feeling like we just can not measure up.
But you know, I am so so Thankful that I no longer look to man for grace...I can go BOLDLY to the Throne of His Grace and find the love and and emotional, physical and spiritual needs to be met.
Thank you Lord for loving me , even in my shortcomings.
on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 11:22 pm
It wasn't until I met the Lord three years ago that He put it in my heart to forgive him. It was really hard to believe that God would never leave me nor forsake me. When I finally did, I realized that even though I didn't grow up with my dad, God would most certainly make up for that. Now, even in my prayers I call him Dad. Thank you for this post.
on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11:56 am
on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 3:52 pm