How to Honour an Unworthy Parent

He does not deal with us according to our sins.

Psalm 103:10

Some parents are not worthy of honour. Think of Saul and the mood swings, fits of rage, and irrational behaviour. Saul even threw a javelin at his son, Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:33). What kind of father throws a spear at his son?

You may wonder if God knows about the pain of your experience. God knows. The Bible recognises the pain of bad parenting, and God never asks you to pretend that a bad parent is good, or that a neglectful parent is honourable.

How should you respond if you are still under their authority? Ask God to give you compassion for them. Ask God to give them what they lack. That’s the Spirit of Jesus. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He has compassion, and compassion keeps the door to repentance open.

Healing begins when you look away from the failings of others and up into the face of God. If you’ve suffered because of authority abused, you may fear that this is what God is like. But God hears the cries of His people and comes down to deliver them. Look into the face of Jesus.

The final authority in the universe belongs to the One who knows how to use it. That’s good news. He is altogether wise. He is completely self-sufficient. And His very nature is love. You can rejoice because the Lord is King!

Do you need to look away from the failings of others to find healing in the face of God today?