The Power of Redeemed IdentitySample

Day 4 – Redeemed From the Orphan Spirit

So many men live with a quiet but very real wound in their souls, which inhibits them from being able to be fully present and connected to their families, as they would actually desire to be. It is often because they didn’t form proper attachments in their developmental years with their Dads. This unfortunate but common situation occurs for a variety of possible reasons, such as –

·I had a decent Dad, but he was emotionally unavailable to me, even when he was home. He was usually distracted and/or distant.

·Dad was always working, and so did not make much time to attend my games or school activities. I felt unimportant to him, and to myself.

·Dad was angry or abusive. For help with this, see our devotional titled, “Overcoming The Father Wound: The Path to Victory”. Note: You may also need to reach out to an experienced Mens’ Coach or counsellor to work through these issues. Simply reading a devotional is often not enough to do the emotional repair work necessary.

Any one of these circumstances can make a male child feel like he had a Dad – but didn’t really have a Dad. This kind of upbringing can give rise to an orphan mindset – sometimes called the “Orphan Spirit”. When a man experiences this in childhood, and later comes to Christ, that same spirit can affect his relationship with God.

He comes to church, but does not get involved in any way. He is often a “Lone Ranger Christian”. This soul wound runs deep, and must be addressed. Fortunately, there are answers in God’s Word.

As a young shepherd boy, David was faithful and brave in tending his father Jesse’s sheep. He loved the Lord with all his heart. Despite that, he was completely overlooked when the prophet Samuel was sent to Jesse’s home to anoint a replacement for King Saul. The prophet was puzzled and asked a question -

11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

Read the whole story in I Samuel 16:1-13. From this passage we learn that God does not see us the way that man does – even our own parents can sometimes discount or misunderstand us. But if that was your experience, the good news today is that God never does! David knew that truth well, and was inspired to write these encouraging words:

10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me. - Psalm 27:10, NKJV

David wrote most of the Psalms as well, and we find in Psalm 68:5 that God is a “Father to the fatherless”. Ephesians 1:5 tells us that God “predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ”. Jesus said in John 14:18,

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

You are NOT an orphan – you are wanted, loved, and you have been adopted into the Family of God – rejoice!

Prayer:

“Father, I thank you today that I am not an orphan – but I am fully loved. Help me to embrace your amazing love today, and to forgive all that have hurt me. Amen.”