What Kind of Father?
As I continue to speak to women across the nation, the impact their fathers had on their lives never ceases to amaze me. My father was a very rigid, withdrawn, depressant with few words to say. When he did speak it was usually to reprimand or criticize. As a result, when I learned God is my Heavenly Father, the image was a confusing one. This “Father Wound” is shared by many men and women alike, leaving a genuinely false view of God’s true character.
As we celebrate Christmas, we learn from Isaiah that Jesus is our Everlasting or Eternal Father. He tells us, “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
When you picture your father, what do you see? A genuine loving smile, the feel of a warm embrace, or the face of a harsh critic or difficult taskmaster. Your picture may be the very thing that is keeping you from an intimate and loving relationship with God. Jesus is “the reason for the season” but if our view of Him is distorted, it’s difficult to celebrate.
So here is the absolutely accurate description of your Eternal and Everlasting Heavenly Father:
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Deut. 7:9
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.” I Chronicles 29:11-12
“Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:2
“The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33:27
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1
“You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.” Psalm 139:2-4
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” I John 4:16
Take time to really consider these verses and the impact they can have on your view of God and your faith. Ask God to reveal to you any area of your life where a distorted view of Him is holding you back from a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. Ask God to remove anything from your life that keeps you from celebrating the true joy of Christmas…Jesus Christ. Pray for a clear and accurate view of your Heavenly Father so you can run to Him and find yourself embraced in the warmth of His heavenly hug today!
