Healing the Father Vacuum

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”
(Romans 8:15)

For some, when the word father is spoken, it can stir up feelings of emptiness, hurt, or even anger. Others may feel nothing at all, a silent emptiness where a father’s love should have been.

As a father myself, I know the joy and responsibility that comes with this role. I remember the day my first child was born, how my heart swelled with love and hope for her future. Watching her grow up, marry, and eventually bless us with grandchildren—each stage filled me with a deep, abiding love. But I also know that not everyone experiences fatherhood in this way. Many of us carry wounds related to our earthly fathers, and these wounds impact how we relate to God the Father. Whether you are a man or a woman, your understanding of fatherhood—whether healthy or toxic—shapes how you embrace love, including the love of God.

The father vacuum can create lies in our hearts. These lies tell us that love is conditional, that we are unworthy, that we will always fall short and never measure up. For those of us with painful experiences surrounding fatherhood, it can be a deep struggle to understand a love that is truly unconditional. And yet, the apostle Paul speaks directly to this in Romans 8, reminding us that God has adopted us, that He has not given us a spirit of slavery to fear or to be controlled by punishment, but a spirit of adoption, a spirit that invites us to call Him Abba, Father. It is not a love marked by rejection or conditional approval. It is a love that sets us free from fear.

But to fully experience this love, we must reject the lies that the father vacuum has implanted in our hearts. We need a renewed mind, a mind that understands we are not slaves to fear, shame, or condemnation. We are children of God, loved by a Father who will never leave us or forsake us.

Friend, God is in the business of healing brokenness. He calls you to strip away these lies and allow His truth to replace them. He invites you into a relationship with Him that is not defined by fear or performance, but by the unconditional love of a perfect Father.

Listen to the sermon below to start experiencing the freedom that comes from knowing God as Abba, Father.

Listen to the sermon: The Father Vacuum

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

Bold Steps is debuting a new monthly series of video broadcasts that gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process of Bold Steps. It’s a great opportunity for you to connect more deeply with me and my co-host, Wayne Shepherd, as we discuss timely topics and spiritual themes. This new format will incorporate listener questions and prayer requests, allowing for more personal engagement with the program. Watch this past Friday’s live program for a special New Year’s discussion with a unique take on a very common practice at www.youtube.com/@boldstepsradio.