Do You Believe God Is a Good Father?

It’s easy to answer “yes” when someone asks if you believe God is a good Father. It’s the “right” answer, after all. 

But if I’m honest, my life often tells a different story. 

Too often, I it feels like God is opposed to my desires—as if He is detached or uninterested in my well-being.

John Eldredge wrote in The Way of the Wild Heart:

“You are the son of a kind, strong, and engaged Father, a Father wise enough to guide you in the Way, generous enough to provide for your journey, offering to walk with you every step.

This is perhaps the hardest thing for us to believe—really believe, down deep in our hearts, so that it changes us forever, changes the way we approach each day.”

Eldredge’s words remind me of a truth that I forget: God is my Heavenly Father. 

I have no problem with seeing God as Creator or King, but I often struggle to see Him as Father. I think this is why it is hard for me to trust that God has my best interests at heart. 

What ends up happening, since I don’t trust God to do what is right,  is I slip into believing that I have to make life work on my own—that my happiness depends entirely on me. This reality ultimately leads to a life of disappointment because I don’t have what it takes to create a life that I truly want to live.

So how do we trust God to do the right thing? How can we learn to see Him as the loving Father He truly is?

Two Ways to Deepen Our Trust in God as Father

1. Memorize Scripture About God as Our Father

The Bible repeatedly describes God as our Father, and it’s no coincidence that Jesus often used this imagery when he talked about God. Jesus knew how difficult it would be for us to grasp the concept of God as a loving and engaged father.

One passage that speaks to this is Luke 11:11-13:

“What father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The only way I know to get this truth into our hearts is to turn to Scripture and meditate on these passages that emphasize God’s goodness. The more we meditate on these verses the more likely they will be implanted into our hearts.

2. Reflect on the Blessings in Your Life

It’s easy to take God’s blessings for granted, to believe that God owes me the good things of life. What happens, when things don’t go the way I want, leads me to question His goodness—and even His presence in my life.

I believe taking time to “count our blessings” can reframe our perspective. It has worked on in my life. Simply taking time to write down 3 or 4 blessings each day has changed my perspective on life. When we reflect on how God has worked in our lives, we’re reminded of His faithfulness.

It is also important to remember that God’s greatest blessings aren’t tied to this life. When we can see the ways He has blessed our lives now, this gives us confidence that He will bless us in the future. God’s ultimate plan is for eternity, and He uses our current experiences to prepare us for the joys of heaven. Sometimes, this preparation means letting go of our own dreams to embrace His purpose for our lives.

Trusting God as Our Heavenly Father

Learning to trust God as our Father isn’t easy, but it’s essential to truly follow Jesus. If we can’t trust God, who can we trust?

God is kind, strong, and engaged. He is guiding us, providing for us, and walking with us every step of the way. I pray that we open our hearts to believe this truth—not just intellectually, but deeply and fully in our hearts, so that it changes the way we live.

Take a moment today to reflect on God’s love and goodness. He is a good Father—and He desires what is best for you.