God is perfect love, even in His authority.
When you approach a dog, you can tell how the animal has been treated by how they respond. A street dog that has been kicked and shooed all its life will probably either cower away and tremble with fear or growl and bark in aggression. Whereas a pet dog from a loving home will reply with tail-wagging and tongue-licking enthusiasm and curiosity.
In many ways, we’re the same. Our upbringing—especially our relationship with our father—shapes how we respond to God's love and authority.
Our parents, especially our dads, have God-given authority and responsibility over our lives. They are supposed to use this authority to raise and teach us in loving and kind ways.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
However, fathers can misuse that authority, for example, to control their children through fear, or even worse, to sexually assault, humiliate, beat or otherwise hurt them. This is what we mean when we talk about the abusive father.
friend, if you’ve grown up with a dad who, in any degree of severity, abused you, you probably instinctively repel the idea of the authority of Father God in your life.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you fear God will snap at you when you make a simple mistake?
- Do you feel you’re being punished by God every time something goes wrong in your life?
- Do you wish you could hide your sins from God because you’re so scared of disappointing Him?
- Do you fear God will hurt you if you truly open your heart to Him?
Now, ask yourself the same questions about your earthly Father. I dare to bet that those answers are connected. Am I right?We often assume that God will be like the other authority figures in our lives, hurting us when we are most vulnerable, but friend, hear this clearly: God is not like that! He is perfect love, even in His authority. He does not abuse His power.
friend, if the abuse by a 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.
