A Father’s Affirmation

Did you know that as a Dad you have a powerful influence over your children’s lives? One area where you have the most influence is in the area of affirmation. Your affirmation builds confidence in your son or daughter to face the world like nothing else can.  Have you ever told your child “Son I’m proud of you!” or “Daughter, you make me proud!”? If you have, you might recall how it was an instant boost to their confidence and sense of accomplishment. That confidence serves as a reservoir of strength to tackle the next challenge that comes their way. A lack of affirmation from one or both parents may lead to emotional crippling and instability that will manifest as self-doubt, low self-esteem, inability to pursue goals or achieve potentials, and a myriad of relationship and social problems.  

According to the Webster’s Dictionary, to affirm means to assert positively; to tell with confidence; to declare

the existence of something; to maintain as true; to make firm; to establish, or to confirm.  

   Dedicated Love

    Approve, affirm

Discipline

God Himself demonstrated this principle to all Fathers 

As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:16-17).  

It was a critical moment in the life and ministry of Jesus. He was about to begin the very thing for which He was born. The father did not leave Him by Himself. God demonstrated with a magnificent display of Heaven’s splendor that this Son had the Father’s approval. Later we will see Jesus drawing on the strength of his father’s affirmation when the Jews questioned him on his identity. 

 “If I bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true.  There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true (Jon 5:31-32). 

“The Father Himself, who has sent Me, has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form” (John 5:37).

God affirmed Jesus at other times. The gospels record the account of his transfiguration before the disciples. While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (Mathew 17:5) 

If Jesus needed his father’s affirmation, so does your son or daughter!  Your children may be toddlers, teenagers, or adults, the good part is; affirmation benefits everyone. 

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Proverbs 16:24)  Happy Fathers' Day to all fathers and father figures!