TRUSTING THE FATHER - PREFACE
I. PURPOSE: To share with you how I have come to understand the Lord. Having grown up in a very religious background, my understanding of the Lord was shaped through church doctrine, not the Holy Spirit. I lived in a constant fear of God that caused me much guilt and shame (coming too from a life where guilt and shame was a norm for me from my childhood upbringing). I portrayed God as I did my dad: love, intermixed with abuse. All the while, constantly trying not to bring on his anger; and feeling like I was never perfect enough to keep his anger at bay. I subconsciously felt I was a disappointment in everything I did (developing a perfectionist mindset and behaviour)—this in turn making me feel I always disappointed God. I grew up becoming a defeated human being. And being Born-Again at the age of 16, continued as a defeated Christian. All I did was wait my turn in this world, longing for the day my days on this e...