Episode Summary:

Father wounds result when a person’s father is physically absent, emotionally abusive or distant, negative or overly critical character, which can have long-term consequences for an individual. The world is full of women who have been hurt, neglected, rejected, or abandoned by their father. They may feel like every aspect of their life is affected by that broken trust. Even their relationship with God can feel tenuous, but there is hope. Today we’re going to be talking about how to exchange father wounds for God’s perfect love.

Quotables from the episode:

• Father wounds result when a person’s father is physically absent, emotionally abusive or distant, negative or overly critical character, which can have long-term consequences for an individual.
• Father wounds are essentially any painful impact by the actions of a father.
• Father wounds can result from absence, neglect, shaming, a critical nature, comparison to others, and more.
• There are multiple different types of wounds that can be sustained as a result of a father’s behavior or lack thereof. Some of those wounds include trust wounds, affirmation wounds, value wounds, love wounds, and beauty wounds.
• The first step of healing father wounds comes in acknowledging the wound and resulting pain. The second step is seeking Godly support. The third step is grieving what wasn’t. The fourth step is praying for God to meet you.
• In order to heal father wounds, we need to come to a place of surrendering our will and our way to God’s and letting go of our expectation for the outcome.
• You cannot change people, only God can. We have to accept them as they are and decide if we can handle them like that if they never change before deciding if we will remain in relationship.
• Even though our earthly fathers may not be, our Heavenly Father is affirming, accessible, and patient.

Scripture References:

• Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
• 1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
• 1 Chronicles 5:20 NLT "They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him. So the Hagrites and all their allies were defeated."

Recommended Resources: 

• Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God’s Perfect Love by Kia Stephens
• Free audio message from Kia
• Hope for the Fatherless – Episode 9
• The Heartache of Father Wounds: Three Reasons to Embrace God as Father
• Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
• Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
• Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Trusting God Through Cancer 1
• Trusting God Through Cancer 2
• Revive & Thrive Women's Conference
• Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.)
• Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win

Social Media Links for Host and Guest:

Connect with Kia Stephens:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube

Guest:

Kia Stephens is the founder of Entrusted Women, which she created to equip Christian women communicators of color. She is the author of the new book Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God’s Perfect Love..

Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

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