You have collected all my tears in your bottle – Psalms 56:8
How do you feel about your dad?
This week, we’re looking at different types of dads and how they influence our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Today, we’ll examine the non-affectionate, or cold father.
It’s no secret that many men struggle to express their emotions—this is even more so when they grow up in a masculine culture like India.
It is typical for boys growing up to hear things like “boys don’t cry” or “real men don’t shed tears.” This raises fathers who struggle to share feelings, love and affection. For some dads, it is even impossible to show genuine compassion and physical affection with a hug or an embrace when their child is hurt or crying.
Maybe your dad was like that—present but distant. He provided but didn’t hug. He corrected but didn’t comfort. He taught you to be strong but not how to be vulnerable.
Never in the Bible does God tell us, “Men don’t cry”; that’s society’s false concept of masculinity. This is what the Bible says about tears:
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. – Psalms 56:8
God not only sees your tears—He cherishes them. He feels your pain. Floyd McClung, in his book The Father Heart of God, writes:
God's love, however, heals the hurts of men and women alike. As our Father, He feels our pain more deeply than we do because His sensitivity to suffering is so much greater.
If you’ve never experienced that kind of compassion, affection and comfort from your dad, it can be hard to perceive God as the loving Father He is.
friend, if a cold father left a mark on your life, you’re not alone. Acknowledge it, forgive your earthly dad and go on to step boldly into the loving arms of your Heavenly Father.
