How To Handle Father’s Day

Hello, my dear readers,

Because Father’s Day is just a few weeks away, this post is about getting ready, whether that means purchasing gifts, mentally preparing for an emotionally tough day, or both. 👨‍👧‍👦

When Father’s Day Is Hard

Father’s Day can be difficult for fathers and children who are separated. The cause may be a wide variety of circumstances, such as military deployment, foster care, incarceration, divorce, estrangement, or death. The ensuing emotions equally vary.

Or maybe the father is physically present but emotionally distant and/or abusive. Thus, Father’s Day could evoke bad memories and painful emotions.

To cope with each of those situations, I recommend finding a competent therapist. For strained relationships, the therapist may have conjoint sessions if appropriate. The therapist can also make referrals to other resources, such as support groups. You may also be interested in the posts, “Mending a Broken Heart: 8 Methods to Ease Your Pain,” “When Mother’s Day Is Different,” “3 Essential Steps To Heal from Childhood Trauma,” “Why You Need a Therapist ASAP” and “What Is Wise Counsel and Good Therapy?”

Additionally, consider the following suggestions if applicable:

• Spending time with friends on Father’s Day
• Journaling thoughts and feelings
• Doing self-care (See “6 Effective Ways To Manage Stress” for ideas.)
• Commemorating by visiting the gravesite or creating a musical slideshow of photos (See “4 Crucial Sources of Comfort During the Grieving Process” and “Coping with the Death of a Loved One.”)
• Giving a card to a father figure

When Father’s Day is Celebratory

If you’re able to celebrate and honor your father or father figure, check out “Father’s Day Gift Ideas Under $50” by Behind the Classroom. There are suggestions for “comfy dads,” “eater dads,” “sporty dads,” and “DIY dads.” For more ideas, see “80 Best Father’s Day Gift Ideas” by Riyah Speaks and “7 Unforgettable Father’s Day Gifts: Perfect Picks for Food-Loving Dads by Home Cooks Assemble.”

The Best Father

Even the greatest fathers aren’t perfect; however, we have the best Heavenly Father. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me” (Psalm 27:10). God is our provider, protector, spiritual leader, advisor, helper, and redeemer.

Provider

In Luke 12:22-34, Jesus teaches us not to worry about our needs like food and clothing. He explains that since God meets the needs of animals and plants, He’ll faithfully provide for His precious children with pleasure. Furthermore, Jesus commands us to “seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you” (Luke 12:31).

Protector

God has proven many times that He’s a good protector. Just to name a few miraculous incidents, He protected Mordecai from Haman (Esther 7), David from Goliath (1 Samuel 17), Baby Jesus from King Herod (Matthew 2:13), and Daniel from the lions (Daniel 6). He gives us victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) and guards us from “the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Spiritual Leader, Advisor, and Helper

When we pray for direction in our lives, God hears us (Psalm 66:19) and gives us perfect wisdom from above (James 3:17, James 1:5). Specifically, He has given us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and His Word (Psalm 119:105) to guide us. And unlike our earthly fathers, who have human limitations, God “is always ready to help us in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1 ERV).

Disciplinarian

Discipline isn’t enjoyable, but it’s necessary in every father-child relationship. Our Heavenly Father disciplines us because He loves us and wants us to enjoy “the peace that comes from doing what is right” (Hebrews 12:4-11 ERV). However, God’s discipline tactics are never more than we can bear. (See the interaction between God and Cain, who murdered his brother in Genesis 4:8-15.)

In closing, this Father’s Day remember that your Heavenly Father chose you with great pleasure (Ephesians 1:3-6) and His love for you will never die (Romans 8:38-39). (For more information about His unconditional love, see the posts, “Why Selfless Esteem Is Better Than Self-Esteem” and “The Real Truth About God.”) On that note, enjoy this song by Tommy Walker, “He Knows My Name.” 💞

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version®. Copyright © 1984 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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