What Comes to Mind When You Think About God?

Years ago, I added this line, “Daughter of the Most High God”, to be displayed on my phone home screen so anytime I pick it up I would see it. Cute, right?  

Well, it is a practical reminder of my spiritual identity – I have Father God who thinks well of me, because my mind and heart are susceptible to believe the contrary when I make mistakes, and especially when the enemy shoots lies like arrows convincing me otherwise.   

My earthly father is a good father with loving intentions, who provided the best: protection, provision, education, and more. So, it is no surprise that I relate to our Heavenly Father in that same way; I know He will provide my practical needs, give me protection, comfort me and give me wisdom, after all, that is what I had experienced with my dad.   

Yet like any other father, mine is not perfect either. Being Asian, he raised us to listen and obey. Speaking up was regarded as disrespectful. Academic excellence was equated with a good future, so they expected us to perform well. In a way, these things are good.  However, when the Asian culture and parents believe that the best method for kids to learn is by punishing mistakes, and withhold positive affirmation as it deters improvement, it can create a mindset in a child of “not being good enough”, which was my case. So, I grew up with an inordinate desire to please everyone which carried into adulthood.  

When I began my relationship with God, I was unaware that my view of Him as a Father was tightly associated with how I viewed my own dad. Hence, I thought God was strict, demanding, pleased only with those who worked extra hard to His earn His favor. This led me to still strive for His love, leaving a feeling of “not good enough” in my relationship with God Himself.   

In this, Our Heavenly Father kept pursuing me with His goodness.  As Jesus met me personally, through His Word, the Holy Spirit brought a progressive heart revelation of His unconditional love for me (Romans 5:5). There is nothing I could do to earn His approval, and He is simply pleased with me for being His daughter.  

Further, the Holy Spirit, through the “Celebrate Recovery” journey, unveiled the wound caused by the lack of affirmation and high demands from my parents, which He supernaturally healed.  Through this experience, God led me to truly forgive my parents, who unintentionally caused hurt. Freedom came when I understood that my parents did their best to love on me, and above all, that God has always loved me dearly. In my heart I knew God is a good Father who calls me daughter, shifting my view of Him. He is the source of my identity!  

A.W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” How about you? What comes into your mind when you think about God?   

Are you like me viewing Father God through the lenses of your earthy one? Here are some ways to help you experience a new identity, and receive our Father’s ultimate embrace:   

1.  Our Father God has given you the right to become His son and daughter, when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Believe with your heart that you are who God says you are, accept Jesus’ love, and your heart will be secure.  

John 1:12 – But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, 

2.   As you Abide in Christ, the unconditional love of the Father, His security and comfort, His praise and affirmation, and His purpose will be poured into your heart. No one is able to meet your needs the way He does, as no one is perfect. Remain in Christ and ask Him to satisfy your emotional being.  

John 15:9-10 -  “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love.

3.   The Holy Spirit is faithful to reveal and heal any unresolved hidden issues with your father or mother that have influenced your thought life, attitudes, actions, creating a wrong lens in which you view our Father God. By faith, ask Him to show you, heal you, and grace you to forgive your parents as necessary, in the same manner God has forgiven you. 

Luke 4:18 - “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted. 

Luke 23:32 – Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. 

4. If you don’t know what hinders you from seeing God as a good Father, consider  taking Freedom Session– www.coastalchurch.org/freedom-session  

We have a good Heavenly Father, who holds us in the palm of His hand, and He accepts, loves, and affirms us. John 10:29 says that we are in the Father’s hand and no one is able to snatch us out it. In Him we are secure, and that is good news!