Imitating our Father

Many times we don't grow up with a good model for behavior. We just do what we have been shown to do from childhood without questioning if it is right or not. If we are taught these habits by our parents, we automatically assume they know best, are telling the truth and are showing us the best way to live our life. As children we trust our parents no matter what.

So now you are an adult and are still believing and doing the same things that your parents did...not questioning if what your parents told you or showed you was really the truth.

The truth that sets you free is looking at these things from the past that we have avoided. Facing them...feeling the pain, allowing one to grieve as we say goodbye to the lies and embrace the truth about who we really are and our ultimate purpose.

You don't have to be defined by your past and what you were told. You have a choice to become a new person. Every morning you are given a new day to slowly be transformed into a new person with purpose.

Nothing is overwhelming if you just see it as one-day-at-a-time. That is how everyone changes. Rome wasn't built in a day and it takes awhile to create new, healthy habits. The key is to never give up.

It's okay to fail and fall down. That is how we learn. Just get back up and keep moving forward.

Jesus talked about imitating our earthly father's habits and mindset instead of our heavenly father's. If you have an earthly father who didn't and doesn't worship God, then he most likely didn't teach you God's way of living. He is teaching you man's way...and man's way can often times be self-serving and self-sabotaging.

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.[h] 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

John 8:31-47

So, in healing, one must go back to those things that you were told and that you assumed to be right and true and find out if they are the real truth. If they are good habits or bad habits. So many times, we just react and respond based on HABIT because that is all we know. Unless you are wiling to look at your own responsibility and your own part, you will always stay the victim. You can't change your parents or your spouse or anyone else...but you can make better choices for yourself and the results will be a better life of blessings and less suffering. Stop being your own worst enemy. Start loving and seeing you as God loves and sees you.