"Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6 NLT, italics mine)
Mothers and Fathers
The month of May and June bring in the celebration of both Mother's Day and Father's Day alike. Mother's Day is usually a highly celebrated event overall, usually ranking in the top five celebrated days of the year with gifts, flowers, cards, and dinner celebrations. Unfortunately, Father's Day falls far shorter for celebrations. Many who have not had a healthy or memorable relationship with their earthly father find it hard to celebrate the paternal role they grew up with. Sadly, even more grew up with distant or absent fathers, creating a void in the paternal role altogether.
These tainted and torn memories of our earthly fathers, or even the absence of earthly fathers altogether, can unconsciously create a similar view of our heavenly Father as well. Some of the strongest battles of our mindsets can truly be in the continual separation of the experiences of our earthly fathers with the absolute goodness of our heavenly Father. He is truly good and always has our best in mind!
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11 BSB)
One of the first and greatest stepping stones to receiving our healing from father wounds is this: forgive and release, forgive and release, forgive and release. Pray to our heavenly Father by forgiving and releasing our earthly fathers for their wrongs and shortcomings. They are human and broken... just as their fathers were human and broken, and just as their fathers were human and broken. It truly goes all the way back to the garden of Eden. (Photo via Pexels)
We are not exempt either! Sin will always cause brokenness. Our sin will cause the same brokenness unless it is covered by the blood of Jesus. We must always be quick to forgive so that we can also be forgiven (Luke 6:37). We must show honor to our mothers and fathers, for this is one of the ten commandments. As a bonus, it is also the only commandment that comes with the promise of living a long life in the land He has placed us in (Exodus 20:12).
The Goodness of the Father
The good news is this: Regardless of your relationship (or lack of relationship) with your earthly father, it is never too late to begin to experience just how extravagant your heavenly father adores you and longs to have an intimate relationship with you! His arms are wide open, and He is not holding back! Truly, He is the fullness of good!
When Moses asked God to show him His glory, God responded by saying He would show him His goodness! His goodness was so great that God had to hide Moses in the cleft of a rock until He passed by. He was only permitted to see His backside for no one was able to see the face of God and live! Even with just getting a glimpse of the backside of God, Moses eventually came down from the mountain, and his face was illuminated and glowing (Exodus 33:18–34:29).
Desires Fulfilled!
Recently, my husband Jeff and I had an unexpected experience of the goodness of the Father. It had been several decades since I had been to the ocean, only once as a little girl and then once for our honeymoon. It had always been a secret desire of mine to go back and walk the beaches and to soak up the sun and salty air! Well, seemingly out of nowhere, some dear friends offered to let us stay at their beautiful condo on the Florida beach! The schedule was open for that particular week, so all we needed to do was just go and enjoy! It was short notice and a bit surprising to say the least, but that is just how our heavenly Father loves to be!
He loves to see the excited look on our faces when His goodness is on display! It all seemed to fall right into place with ease! This little retreat came as a blessing during a time of needed refreshment! Tears of gratitude filled my eyes as we sat on the balcony each morning with our coffees and gazed at the magnificent vastness of the ocean. To our amazement, one morning we even saw wild dolphins swimming! With the evening waves and sand under my feet, I looked over the vastness of the ocean waters with the evening sky and I was reminded of a passage of Scripture:
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psalm 19:1 NKJV)
As our trip came to a close, we had tears of joy and gratitude as we were given a greater revelation of how good our God truly is! (Photo via Pixabay)
Seeing Through Proper Lenses
I hear the Lord saying, "I am your good Father! I am the absolute fullness of good! There is no evil in Me! Trust Me when times of trials and challenges come your way. I use these times to strengthen your faith and your resolve, for it will yield a greater harvest in the end. My goodness remains constant in this ever-changing life you are living. I am working all things for your good even when it feels as though you are in the fire! It is important to look through the right lens of truth during challenging circumstances. This world will be full of trouble, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
"Your tide is shifting for a favorable outcome! I say to those who have been faithful and serving Me for years and holding onto the hope of things spoken of years ago... your tide is truly shifting! My goodness is fully accessible and is being extended to you today! It is time for you to come into agreement with My goodness!
"Give Me your past disappointments and dreams that have seemed dead and barren. I am stirring the embers of your heart and fanning them into flame again! Truly, your latter years will be greater than your former years, and your latter harvest will exceed the former harvests! Have eyes to see the beginnings of the greatest years of My goodness to come to this earth, for I am absolutely the fullness of goodness, and it is My good pleasure to pour over you and lavish you with My goodness," says the Lord of Hosts!
"Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!" (Psalm 34:8 NLT)
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Jeff and Angie Stolba
Living With Confidence
Email:Â lwcministries@angiestolba.com
Website:Â www.angiestolba.com
Jeff and Angie Stolba have a heart to see people walking in compete freedom and restoration. Angie shares her testimony at conferences and women's events. She enjoys co-laboring with her husband, Jeff, in ministry, as well as pouring into their three daughters. Angie has a genuine passion for God's Word and intercessory prayer. She is the author of the book, Dealing With the Root of Rejection.
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