The Flaws of Our Fathers

In this reading plan, we'll explore what it truly means to know God as our perfect Father.

How we relate to God as a father is often shaped–sometimes deeply–by the relationship we have (or didn’t have) with our earthly dad.

If you were blessed with a loving, caring, and present father, chances are it feels natural to see God in that same way. However, if you had an absent, abusive or neglectful dad, seeing God as a trustworthy father can be much more complicated.

This week, we’ll walk through seven common fatherly flaws and contrast them with seven powerful truths about who God is. Even if you had a fantastic childhood, you might still recognize these shortcomings in subtle ways. The goal here isn’t to criticise our dads—after all, no parent is perfect—but to help us understand God’s perfect love for us as our Heavenly Father, without the limitations of our past experiences.

Maybe you’re reading this and thinking, “I didn’t have a father growing up at all.” That brings us to our first category: the absent father.

It could be that a relationship with your father was taken from you by death or divorce, or maybe he was physically present but emotionally distant—always working, always travelling, rarely available. In those cases, knowing God as a faithful Father who will show up for you can be hard. It can even lead to cynicism and distrust toward God.

But God is the most faithful Father you will ever know, even when you doubt His faithfulness.

If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is. – 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

If the absence of 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.

Hey! You are a Chamatkar*

Jenny Mendes

P.S. The texts of this reading plan come from the daily email Chamatkar Every Day. If you'd like to receive a daily encouraging email, I invite you to subscribe here.

*Chamatkar means 'Miracle'