GOD IS LIKE MY FATHER (Lies we believe 4)
God gave us parents so that, among other things, we would learn to receive love and protection form a powerful authority figure who we would, in turn, love and trust. At least that was the plan. I don’t have to tell you how often parents fall far short of that. In fact, many times the impact parents have on their children in exemplifying God is more negative than positive. When a child grows up with a parent, especially a father, who is harsh, cruel, distant, manipulative, unfair or self-centered, the child naturally attributes those same traits to God. We believe the lie that God is just like my father. Similar lies include: “God is never there for me,” “God expects too much from me,” “God is disappointed with me,” and many others. This gives us a wrong picture of God and undermines, or prevents, a close personal relationship with him. I’ve had to work through some of those lives in my life and I’m sure you have had to as well.
The truth, though, is that God is not like any human parent. He is far above any person, not even close enough to be compared. Only as we get to know God as He really is will we grow in love and trust in our relationship with Him. God is totally and only good (Psalm 136:1). He loves us and wants us to have His best (Romans 9:32-39). There is nothing we can do to earn or deserve His love. There is nothing we can do to have Him love us any more, nor is there anything we can do to have Him love us any less!
We are complete and accepted in Him (Ephesians 1:4-6). Others show conditional love and acceptance, but with God we already have all His blessing now and forever. He truly cares about us, or He wouldn’t have left heaven to come to earth to pay for sins on the cross! He will never reject or condemn us (Romans 8:1). He will meet all our needs (Philippians 4:19). He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He guarantees us eternal life with Him – forever (1 John 2:25).
God promises to protect, provide, teach, guide and sustain us. He promises to be our best friend, companion and servant. As His children, He wants us to honor and respect Him (Exodus 20:12), follow His counsel (Proverbs 1:8), obey Him (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20) and serve Him in any way we can while on this earth.
If you struggle with seeing God as He really is because of a poor relationship with your parents, think about how your parents have wounded you and how you carry that over to God. Ask God to help you forgive them and take your pain to Him. Talk to a mature Christian about these things. Look for a good role model of a godly man and get to know him. Use what you see in him as a foundation to change how you see God. Remember God is your Father, your Heavenly Father, not your earthly father (or mother).
Psalm 103:13-14 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! –1 John 3:1
What hurts and disappointments from your own parents influence the way you see God? Ask Him to show you and then to reveal His truth to you. Ask Him to help you see Him as your eternal, loving Heavenly Father.
by Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer, Christian Training Organization