|
Three Thoughts About Absent Father Syndrome:
Thought ONE:
The Cause of Absent Father Syndrome:
Circumstances When Absent Father Syndrome Occurs:
When the father is absent due to death, divorce, withdrawal, or disinterest. He does not have to be physically absent, but may just not be meeting the emotional needs of his family due to outside activities or work. He may not be able to handle the demands of home, and withdraw to church, sports or other activities.
Thought TWO:
The Consequences of Absent Father Syndrome:
| a.
|
In Women:
1. She rejects her appearance and femininity.
2. She craves attention and affection, especially from men, or she resents men so much that she wants no male attention.
3. She is a “rejection sponge” - takes everything as rejection and needs repeated assurance of love.
4. She is attracted to older men, and may marry an older man.
5. She finds it hard to trust God.
|
|
|
| b.
|
In Men:
1. He has no role model, so mom is the model (effeminate) or looks to models in the world (macho).
2. He craves male attention and affection which can be eroticized and lead to homosexuality or be a tough guy and not admit to any emotions.
3. He may marry a dominant woman and be passive like his dad.
4. He is a “rejection sponge”, especially with male authority figures. 5. He finds it hard to trust God.
|
Thought THREE:
The Correction For Absent Father Syndrome:
| a.
|
Practical Steps:
1. Don’t read your experience into Scripture. What wrong characteristics have you imposed on God?
2. Identify your view of your father. Compare this with your view of God as Father.
3. Study the Bible to see what God is like.
“No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” (John 1:18)
4. Acknowledge you are a child of God. Don’t go on how you feel.
|
This teaching is a summary of lesson ten of Pneumanetics. Pneumanetics is a philosophy or model on which we base our biblical counseling. It is a course to train Christians in ministering to others.
This teaching is also included in lesson four, “Getting to Know Your Heavenly Father” in our workbook “Be Transformed”.
© 1973, 1998, 1999 Scope Ministries International, Inc.
Jim Craddock, Founder and President Emeritus
|
