When you hear the word "father"...what is the first image that comes into your mind?

Because we live in an imperfect world, mixed in with the Biblical images of forgiveness, protection, acceptance and love...often the images that come to mind are of betrayal, failure and absence. Unfortunately our thoughts and experiences of earthly fathers can color our image of our heavenly Father.

The best way to overcome past hurts is to experience our heavenly Father's love and acceptance. By experiencing His love we know - I mean really know - in the depths of our beings that we are His children, beloved and accepted by Him. He longs for us to worship Him in intimacy. (John 4:23)

Here are three aspects of the Father's love that, if revealed by the Holy Spirit and taken to heart, can cure the worst cases of heartache and crushed spirits.

First, God's steadfast faithfulness: Even though his son rejected the father mentioned in Luke 15:20, he still had not given up hope, but was faithfully watching for the return of his son. Our heavenly Father can always be trusted to do what He has promised. (1 Thess. 5:24)

Second, God's generous blessing: The father showered his very richest blessings on his runaway son when the son returned home. (Luke 15:22,23) He is the source of every good thing and every perfect gift.

Third, God's loving discipline: The writer of Hebrews tells us that God's discipline is an undeniable sign that we are the children of God and beloved by our heavenly Father. (Heb. 12:6-8) If we run from God's discipline, we will miss out on "a harvest of righteousness and peace" that He has prepared for us. (Heb. 12:11)