Understanding Our Heavenly Father (2)

To see God as your loving Father may not come easily if you carry the scars of an abusive childhood. So many needs that went unmet in your childhood—affection, security, trust, comfort, nurture, and material requirements—can make it hard to believe that God will provide for your needs now. So what to do? Recognize that your internalized father-image is flawed and in no way fits your heavenly Father. Even the best father is a blurred carbon copy of your heavenly Father. God wants you to see Him as a caring, sensitive, generous, dependable Father. That’s why Jesus taught us to call Him “Our Father,” not just “Almighty God and Lord.” It’s also why He called God “your Father” and not just “My Father.” Like a good Father, God has anticipated your every need and provided for it (see Matthew 6:25-34). Just as good parents understand the individual characteristics of their children, your heavenly Father knows your unique needs, thoughts, and feelings. “As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out” (Psalm 103:13-14 MSG). His care for you is tailor made to fit your specific requirements and limitations. And just as a good earthly father accepts and fulfills his responsibility to provide for his children, your heavenly Father holds Himself responsible for meeting your needs, and He wants you to act accordingly by trusting Him. In other words, your role is to act like the child of a trustworthy, generous, permanently loving Father.