I was surprised the first time I heard someone say, “I hate father’s day.” But once I heard the explanation it made perfect sense.
Many people can say, “My dad was never there for me.”
Other people had abusive dads.
Still, others were abandoned.
As tragic as these situations are, it is sadder that we let the relationship with our fathers affect our thoughts and feelings about God.
What was your relationship like with your dad?
Let’s dig into the truth about what God is like and see how He is not like our earthly fathers.
I hate father’s day because …
I am pretty sure that there are many more reasons why some people say,
“I hate father’s day.”
We will discuss three of the primary reasons and how it affects our view of God.
I hate father’s day because my dad was never there for me
There are a whole host of reasons why dads are “never there for their kids”.
- Too many commitments
- Climbing the corporate ladder with all its demands
- Hobbies that suck all their time away from their families
- Lack of interest in their families
- Total self-centeredness, to name a few.
Do any of these describe your father? And how has it affected your view of God?
Do you feel like God is too busy for you or not interested in you? Keep reading if that is the case.
I hate father’s day because my dad was abusive
This is a difficult one. When parents are abusive, it is hard to trust anyone, including God.
When you were yelled at or beaten because you spilled milk as a child, you learn to expect everyone to become angry at your childhood clumsiness.
Children growing up in an abusive home often approach God like a beaten puppy with great fear and trepidation.
Is it any wonder that these children hate father’s day? I would too. Why would I want to celebrate someone who had total disrespect for me?
I hate father’s day because my dad abandoned me
It is normal for many infants and toddlers to develop separation anxiety and be fearful of abandonment. But that usually resolves when they are a little older.
However, children whose parent(s) literally abandoned them usually have scars well into their adulthood. They often wonder what is wrong with them that their parent left.
Why would these children enjoy a day that reinforces feelings of not being “good enough.”
Turn “I hate father’s day” into something different
Many readers may need help getting past their feelings of resentment toward their fathers. For some, it may require professional help.
For many, it is a matter of learning to know God as our loving father.
For the person whose dad was never there for you
If your father was never there for you, you may feel strongly that God is not interested in you. But listen to what Scripture says.
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” Psalm 139:1-4
While your dad may have not known your favorite color or the things you really liked, God knows everything about us. He is interested in all of it.
For the person whose dad was abusive
It is a father’s role to protect his children. This however is not what happens with abusive dads.
If this was your father, please don’t let it taint your view of God. He protects His children. Often it is physical protection, but always spiritual protection.
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3
When we are part of God’s family, we are counted as “righteous” as it says in Psalm 34:17. The most important thing to God our Father is protecting us from the evil one.
As you think about God, picture in your mind being held and protected by Him.
For the person whose dad abandoned them
For any child who physically saw their father leaving, that picture often haunts them. They can see the door opening and their dad disappearing.
In contrast, God has promised to never leave us if we are part of His family.
” … for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6b
” … he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
These are just a few of the Scriptures that tell us that God will not abandon us. If you want to read more of them, go to Open Bible.
Next time you want to say, “I hate father’s day”, think about God walking with you hand in hand, promising that He, the perfect father, will never abandon you.
No longer, “I hate father’s day”
We can’t begin to have an accurate view of God until we change our thinking. Read these Scriptures often and let them soak in like gentle rain on dry ground.
God wants to replace your resentment for your dad with His love. You don’t have to keep saying, “I hate father’s day.”
If you like to color, this 18-page Bible verse coloring collection will help you color your way to healing while giving you hours of enjoyment.
You might also like to read: Forgive your parents, heal yourself
Thanks to Bible Gateway for easy navigation of the Scriptures.