Trusting God is the first tool in the godly dad’s backpack for a reason. We don’t fit the other vital tools in our packs if we forget this one. I want to explore with you why trusting God matters, how it looks in your life as a dad, and what you can do right now.
Here’s the point: The godly dad trusts God so much that he points his family to Christ.
Why does trusting God matter as a dad?
If you’re headed down the path of being a godly dad, you won’t get too far without something guiding your direction. You’re gonna need True North. Trusting God is the first tool you need in your pack. Without a fixed navigational point, how can we get where we’re going?
Remember when you were a younger guy? Every decision seemed like life or death, didn’t it? Going to the game? Dating that girl? Man, looking back, I was so “busy” doing nothing—because I was trying to do EVERYTHING. When I wasn’t in class, I was working evenings and weekends. The few moments left in those junior and senior days were for parties.
But, back to the point: what guided you to make the decision you made back then? For me, it was two things: my parent’s rules and my friends. I lived until my next curfew and for the next party. After all, you don’t become “Most Popular” as a high school senior without being involved in EVERYTHING. I’ve mentioned I was Most Popular, right. All downhill from there.
Enough about me. What was your guiding light back then? What about today? Hopefully, the choices have become more important. But, what’s guiding your path today? Listen, if I made decisions as a dad today like how I did back in high school. Whew, it wouldn’t be pretty.
The tool of trusting God matters because without it—nothing else matters.
How does trusting God play out in your life?
In our day, there are so many things pulling us away from what matters. If I had to pick, and I’m picking, there are two magnetic forces pulling us off track today. Really, there are several. But, you can read the others in your Survival Gear.
The first magnetic force that pulls dads away from God is money. I see many dads sacrificing themselves on the altar for money.
The other magnetic force that pulls dads is akin to money. It’s power. The pull of power and money comes from the two shoulders of Satan.
With money’s pull, you’ll make decisions purely for financial gain. Your entire outlook is changed by whether the number is green or red. With power, it’s the chase of that next rung on the ladder. What’s one missed family dinner if I can work late just one more night.
What does God say about trusting Him? Directly from His Word, we find this in Proverbs 4:5, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.”
The godly dad trusts God so much that he points his family to Christ.
What does trusting God look like for you right now?
If you’re headed down the path of being a godly dad, you won’t get too far without something guiding your direction. You’re gonna need a True North. What are you trusting in? Is it God? How do you know?
You should know what trusting God looks like for a dad. Only then can you determine where you are and what you should do next.
Here are the four stages of trusting God as a dad.
Stage 1 > New Traveler: You’re a believer in Jesus Christ and realize He’s the Lord of your life.
Stage 2 > Capable Navigator: You realize your family is yours to steward, so you seek God’s direction frequently.
Stage 3 > Road Warrior: You can remember specific steps of faith your family took and how God provided.
Stage 4 > Tour Guide: You frequently guide your family into new territory when you sense God calling.
Which stage are you on right now? Know which stage you’re on. Then, determine to move to the next stage.
Never forget: Your family will follow where your life points.
