I have a question I want to ask. This weekend I am blessed to be teaching at a men’s retreat my church is having. Let me quickly tell you about the retreat before I ask my question. The retreat is designed to help men “clean out the garage” of unwanted stuff that builds up over time that can hinder a relationship with God. Our church also does it for women on a separate weekend. We call it the Victory and Freedom Weekend. It truly is a great time of getting away from everything and focusing on God. The scriptural focus is the prodigal son story. We look at the character of God through that story and reconnect with God our Father.
Let me set up my question…I have heard from different sources that we view our relationship with our heavenly father similarly to our relationship with our biological father. For instance, if your father was loving and tender, you are more likely to see God as a loving and tender father. If your father abandoned your family or abused you, you may have a hard time believing God will never leave or forsake you.
QUESTION: Do you believe this? If so, how do you think the relationship you’ve had with your biological father (or lack thereof) currently affects your views of your heavenly father. I am very curious to know how you relate to God. I want to understand it more in my own life but also in the lives of others. I hope you will share.
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Although I don’t think it should always be this way, I believe as human beings, we let our past experiences with our earthly father creep into our relationship with God our father. The bible, especially Jesus’ relationship with God should be the standard. For me, I have a very loving father who was there, providing for our family. He is full of integrity and a diligent worker.
I think sometimes I don’t visualize God as a tender, embracing father. Something I need to work on, for sure.
It certainly has an impact on my views, even subconsciously. I also catch myself as a father painting a terrible picture of our heavenly Father at times, stops me in my tracks when I see from that perspective.
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