When the Father Figure Falters

Christianity is full of the metaphor of “The Father-image of God.”  That is well and good if a person had a good, even great earthly father figure to relate to, but what about those whose father crapped out on life?  Maybe he, or she, the parental influence role model, just really dropped the ball and left us in the dust? 

Victims of parental rape, incest, and child sexual abuse really have a tough time with this Father God concept. 

And then some of us have a severely distorted image of our fathers and mothers.  If our earthly father/mother was an ogre, one who was constantly trying to catch us doing something wrong, then we have developed a severely distorted image of a father figure.  How can we ever relate to a God who is so often referred to as Father God, Abba, or Papa God?

There is surely no grace in that kind of image.  How can we dare trust the mercy and grace side of God when our own earthly Father never offered us mercy and grace? 

The father photograph has faded.  It is tattered and torn, and ripped to shreds.

First, let me encourage anyone who suffers from a negative parental experience to seek therapy from a trusted counselor.  Find someone who can walk you through this tough maze of your life story and help you find level ground again.

In the scriptures, we are reminded of the story-telling of Christ through parables.  Time and again He tells us stories of a God of love and redemption and acceptance.  Christ came to restore the photograph of God to its original condition.  He wants to change the way we look at God.

In the story of the Prodigal Son, we see a God of compassion and love, longing for the return of His son.  And when the son does return, we see joy, redemption, immediate forgiveness and restoration. 

We see an image of a God of grace.  He welcomes His son with open arms.  No condemnation.  No sermon.  No rebuke.  No time spent in the time-out pen.

Love those images of God.  Love those pictures of a redemptive, esteeming and forgiving God. 

That is a photograph I would gladly hang on my walls. 

I believe in this restorative image of God.

Note this:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son.”

~John 3:16

Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares for you.

~I Peter 7

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

~Psalm 86:15

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

~I John 3:1

My prayer is that your image of God will be fully restored to one of grace and compassion and you will once again embrace the great God of love, Abba God.

P Michael Biggs

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