1. If You’re Having Trouble Seeing or Accepting God as Your Heavenly Father, Focus on One of His Other Roles

• God is multifaceted.

• In addition to being your Heavenly Father, He’s also your Provider, Creator, Sovereign, and Heavenly Protector. 

• In Episode #116, I briefly cover 10 biblical names for God that tie into His character.

• There’s also a printable download.

• If, right now, it’s just too hard to relate to God in the “dad” sort of way, lay that aside for the time being and focus on relating to Him primarily through one of His other “roles.”

• Then, as your relationship progresses and God helps you to learn more about who He is; to heal; and to remove lies that you’ve been told; and a trust and rapport develops, you can ease into the world of Daddy/Daughter.

• This is what I did.

  • Due to an experience God gave me when I was very little, decades before I came to know Him, and because of the way I’m wired and the spiritual battle my salvation took place in, I initially related to God as more of my commander in chief. 

  • I was more comfortable with trusting Him when He told me to do something then seeing Him as a Dad. At first.

  • And then, over time, as we grew closer (something God lovingly ensured of), our relationship evolved and grew.

• You can do the same thing.

• Example: If you’re an artist, and it’s easier for you to relate to God as the master Creator that He is, and that feels safe, and doable, and okay, start there.

• God can reveal Himself - and His love for you - through anything. Nature included.

2. Alternatively, You Can Start by Connecting with Jesus

• Even though Jesus is our Lord and Savior (and also technically God), He also called us His friends in John 15:15.

• He’s not God the Father, and can be seen more like a best friend, guide, or favorite big brother.

• Jesus also laid down His life for you, by going to the cross, which paints Him as our hero. Something every woman longs for.

• Jesus going to the cross - and His ministry beforehand - also a great show of love. 

• John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

• So, if you’re really struggling to connect with God….if your heart and mind need some time to work towards that, feel free to focus on connecting with Jesus initially. 

• God will understand where you are - as will Jesus.

• You’re not denouncing or ignoring God…just giving yourself time to get to know Him and ease into the relationship. 

• You’re allowing yourself to enter into your relationship with God in a healthy way.

  • Because forcing yourself, when there are very deep things such as abuse in your past, isn’t going to do anyone any good.

  • And it’s not what God wants.

• Taking this route is actually full of wisdom.

• ‘Cause don’t forget that Jesus is a reflection of God the Father.

  • In John 14:9, Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

• This means that, as you get to know Jesus, and follow Him, and start to trust Him, and to build that healthy relationship over time, you’ll also naturally start to better see and accept and feel more comfortable with God the Father. Being that Jesus is a reflection of Him.

• And when you’re ready to start taking small steps in that direction, Jesus will help guide you. Something that will seem less scary because, by then, you and Jesus will have established the foundations of a loving, trusting relationship.
  
  
  

3. Finally, Turn From Fearing that God is Like Your Abusive Dad to Dreaming of Your Ideal One

• I grew up with a very cruel and abusive dad, so I know what it is to yearn for that gentle, kind, protective, loving father. Basically, the exact opposite of the one I had.

• Even though it may be hard to see and accept right now, your Heavenly Father is that ideal dad times a million.

• Because not only does He love you more than anyone else, He’s God. And He created the universe. 

• He owns everything, has endless resources, and can provide and protect you anytime, anywhere, by any means. 

• Take your male hero from the movies, times him by a million, and you might get a bit closer to the picture of God.

• To help your heart and mind move closer to who God is - and away from who you’re currently afraid He is - consider doing the following proactive, creative activity:

• Big Idea: Lay out specific traits of the ideal dad you’d love to have. In other words, the version I spoke about moments ago. The one that’s basically the opposite of your abusive dad.

• Method: Up to you. Make a list or a visual collage. A series of drawings. A YouTube library with videos showing those particular traits. There aren’t any rules.

• Next: Ask God to show you how He embodies those traits. To make you aware of them, to see them, like you never have before. (If you’re choosing to initially focus on Jesus, like I just talked about, ask Him instead.) 

• Bonus Points: When you notice a trait from your list, in relation to God, write it down. Keep track. It will further help to change your mindset and heart.

Want Even More Help?

• Take my quiz if you are struggling with feeling loved and accepted by God. 

• 5 brief questions

• In 60 seconds, you’ll have a customized action plan + a personalized email with free resources.