God is not like them

Our view of God is often shaped by the people who’ve let us down. But God is not like them. He is not unpredictable, untrustworthy, or withholding. He is perfect love—and that changes everything.

Scripture:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

—Psalm 103:8

💬 Teaching Section:

For many of us, the word father brings up more pain than peace.

The idea of trust feels like a risk.

And love… well, love sometimes feels like manipulation wearing perfume.

We hear that God is a “good Father,” that He loves us, that He wants what’s best for us—but part of us flinches.

Because people have said those things before.

And they didn’t mean it.

They used love to control.

They offered promises they didn’t keep.

They left without explanation.

And whether we realize it or not, we start projecting them onto Him.

🔍 Real-Life Application:

We approach God like we approached our parents, pastors, teachers, or past relationships—tiptoeing, afraid of saying the wrong thing, expecting disappointment.

We expect silence when we need answers.

We expect withdrawal when we mess up.

We expect coldness when we try to draw near.

And yet… none of those things are God.

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works.” —Psalm 145:17

He is not human.

He does not lie. He does not change His mind. (Numbers 23:19)

He does not get tired of us.

He does not manipulate our emotions.

He doesn’t ask for performance—He offers presence.

God is not the one who ignored your tears.

God is not the one who blamed you for being too much or not enough.

God is not the one who withheld love until you earned it.

God is the one who never left.

💔 Emotional Insight:

It’s okay if your heart needs time to untangle the difference between God and people.

But here’s the thing—God won’t rush you.

He’ll stay right beside you while you learn to trust again.

He won’t demand closeness.

He’ll invite it.

He doesn’t get offended by your confusion.

He just keeps showing you His character—one grace-filled moment at a time.

You are allowed to unlearn what you were taught by broken people.

You are allowed to rebuild your understanding of love.

Because the God who made you is not the same as the people who misrepresented Him.

💡 The Shift:

Your healing begins when you stop defining God through the lens of other people and start defining Him through His Word.

Let His actions speak:

He pursues you (Luke 15:4–7)

He fights for you (Exodus 14:14)

He carries you (Isaiah 46:4)

He delights in you (Zephaniah 3:17)

He died for you (Romans 5:8)

This is not the love you’ve experienced before.

It’s better.

And it’s real.

🙏 Prayer:

God, I’ve been holding You at arm’s length—afraid You’ll be like the others. Afraid You’ll walk away. Afraid You’ll grow tired of me. But I want to believe You’re different. I want to trust Your love. Show me who You really are. Heal the places in me that confuse You with the people who hurt me. I want to know You, not the version of You I’ve created from my pain. Amen.

✨ Reflection Questions:

1. What person or relationship has most shaped how you view God—and how has that affected your ability to trust Him?

2. What parts of God’s character are hardest for you to believe right now? Why?

3. What would it feel like to truly believe that God will never leave, never lie, and never love you less?