Daily Devotional

Moving Forward

By Tanya S. Martin-James
This week's topic: Fathers

On this past Sunday, we celebrated Father’s Day. I realize many reading this devotional today may be upset, depressed, bitter and/or hurt because of their relationship (or lack of) with their father. This holiday may bring up old feelings and issues that have never been handled, just buried.

Unfortunately, often times when a person has experienced a bad relationship with their natural father, it’s hard for them to fully grasp the love of their Heavenly Father. And that’s quite understandable that if the man that stands before you has not demonstrated a father’s love – why it would be difficult to understand why God, who you have never seen face to face would be any different.

However, if you are one of those people who don’t have a “father-child” relationship for whatever reason – they were not around, you never knew who they were, they were abusive, they died at a young age … whatever the case may be … I admonish you to make a decision now to finally let it go. No longer allow it to dictate your life. No, you may not be able to change what has happened but you can change how it affects the rest of your life.

You have the ability and the strength from God to take a stand and say, “no more.” Choose to forgive, so that you can move forward. “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians 3:13

Choose to no longer be trapped in a “self-pity” box blaming all your woes on what your father did or did not do. Choose to destroy that crutch and live a joyous life regardless of your past. “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

More importantly, choose to allow God to show you what an awesome father HE is – one that loves unconditionally and has only your best interest at heart. God will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He has already equipped you with everything you need to step out on faith and in His strength to overcome the pain and no longer allow yourself to be a victim of circumstance!

And to those who grew up with incredible, supportive and encouraging fathers don’t miss the opportunity to tell them how much you appreciate them, not just on Father’s Day, but every chance you get!

Scripture Of The Day: "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,Is God in His holy habitation." - Psalm 68:5 (NKJV)

Tanya Martin James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality and Coffee Moments: A Work in Progress http://www.armedanddangerous.biz She also blogs at http://www.mycoffeemoments.com

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