2006-07-05 02:58:04 · 17 answers · asked by Rodney 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is very possible. Our parents shape our perspective on life. If we grew up constantly being criticized or put down, we'll put that spin on the rest of life and our perspective of ourselves.
So, someone who grew up in a very unloving home might tend to think of God in the same way. The wonderful experience is, however, to seek God and find out that He is not at all like our parents. Our parents are imperfect and sin ridden just like you and I and everyone else on the planet.
Reshaping your perspective on God, life and yourself is a life-long and worthy pursuit.
A good place to start would be to do a study on "love" in the New Testament. Personally, I think that is the over-riding theme of the New Testament. But, many people don't see it because of just what you're referring to- a pre-shaped perspective on a God that is not so loving. Look at all the New Testament has to say about love and the love of God and see what happens.
Love, joy and peace!
2006-07-05 03:09:45 · answer #1 · answered by Hesed 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think this is one of the most intelligent, insightful questions I have ever seen posed here. You are completely, 100% correct -- many people who have poor family relationships (particularly with their fathers) have a very difficult time believing in God and relating to Him as the awsome Creator of the universe.
God's Word, the Bible, explains that He gave us family relationships with the express purpose of teaching us through example how we are to love Him. Since the family is under such strong attack now, it is not at all unanticipated that we should see it spill over into our relationship with God.
If you seek to understand exactly how much God really loves you, read the Gospels from the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. John 3:16-18 tells us:
"16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
It is easy for those of us who come from a rough family background to assign the same characteristics we see there to God. But the passage quoted above should tell you this: God loves YOU so much that He sent a part of Himself down to earth to show you the way back to Him; He would rather go through humiliation, torture and physical death than to live without you in Heaven.
Surely, neither your earthly father or mother would die for you. But God did. All you have to do is seek Him out -- get to know Him. Read the Gospels and pray to Him to help you with your unbelief. I promise you, He will answer.
May God bless and keep you.
2006-07-05 10:12:15 · answer #2 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a relationship with your parents as everyone does. Experience in this relationship might be good or bad. There is always a reason and teaching in everything for us. If you have had a bad relationship then u need to introspect, WHY? I would love to help, but you might have to share a little bit about ur relationship, first, so that I can show you by example, what was meant for what. Can contact me by clicking my id and mailing to me. No matter what, GOD loves you.
Love
2006-07-05 10:10:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are comparing God's love to parental love, you probably have a mis-understanding between the two. As we all know, humans are flawed and as a rule self-centered. Parental love often seems like "I love you if..... (fill in the blanks here with good grades, proper behaviour, obedience etc.)
God's love is completely different. He loves us in spite of our flaws. There is nothing we can do (or have to do) to earn his love. As his creation we are built to desire his love and want to feel his love for us. And God is perfect love. I don't think we will understand that until we get to heaven.
Think of it this way. You were saved because the sacrifice (Jesus) was acceptable to God. It's not based on your works or how well you think you measure up. It says in the bible that none of us measures up on our own. But that's ok, God provided a solution. The debt is paid. Accept it. Be free. Be happy. And remember you've got one good parent in heaven at least that loves you like mad!
2006-07-05 16:37:23 · answer #4 · answered by Grace 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you believe in God you will realise that tests will always be thrown at you through life whether they be family, money, health or love problems, its how you handle them that will give you the answers, try working on your relationship with your parents first sit down and talk to them if you concentrate on this you will find in time.....god will let you know he loves you.
Peace out
2006-07-05 10:06:18 · answer #5 · answered by andylegendoneill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES - and it is as a result of the pain that you experienced with your parents, that you now have difficulty in loving yourself. God IS everything and each and everyone of us are minute parts of the whole - we are all, tiny parts of God!
We are called to love ourselves, and accept ourselves, exactly as we are in this here and now! When we learn to love ourselves then we can feel/receive the love that is extended towards us. God's love is more than you can ever imagine possible - it IS unconditional, it is pure, it is all that is good! Consider the sun He provides daily, the flowers He places in your garden, the air that you breath, this is all Gods love and so much more!
2006-07-05 15:33:22 · answer #6 · answered by lit_spirit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might have strained relationships with your parents because you don't believe in the 5th commandment. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
2006-07-05 10:05:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup sure does... Your parents were authority figures in your life and that image taints your view of God. I know... I was once like you... matter of fact... I still struggle with this. But I must look to the Bible and believe what it says about Him as the truth... and transform my mind into His image. That is going to take a lot of help with other Christians... you should not keep to yourself... you need others to help you be encouraged. Feel free to contact me if you need any advice.
2006-07-05 10:05:32 · answer #8 · answered by ddead_alive 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most definitely. That's why it's important for men who are fathers to BE fathers and above all make sure your children know you love them. It's much harder to understand a relationship with The Heavenly Father if you don't have a good relationship with your earthly father.
Remember, kids know more about you than what you said, they know what you did, and they love you anyway. All our children want is for us to know what they did, and love them anyway, whether they are 5, 15 or 50.
2006-07-05 10:10:21 · answer #9 · answered by Vincent Valentine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you know exactly what your relationship is with God then you will always find it difficult to understand His love.
It is explained in all the scriptures that our first and foremost relationship is with God and that we should not become too attached to our other relationships. In fact it is our other relationships that often cause us to forget about God.
2006-07-05 16:23:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋