5 Reasons to Show Gratitude to All Your Father Figures

Every year when Father’s Day comes around, I’m sure you take it as an opportunity to show gratitude to your biological or adoptive father. Right?

There are tons of reasons to have gratitude for your dad every day of the year. From big hugs, strong helping hands, driving lessons, fishing expeditions, infectious sports obsessions, and heartfelt life advice, to corny dad jokes!

But do you ever stop and think about all the other father figures in your life? Take time to remind yourself of all the amazing things the fathers in your life do for you every day. To discover the difference between a father and a father figure, keep reading for some great examples that are easy to relate to.

Inspiring Father Figures from the Bible

There are many moving stories of men in the Bible who were faithful, bold, obedient, and strong beacons of how Christian fathers should be. These biblical figures also make it easy to understand how important true masculinity and godly fatherhood should be.

You can use these examples to identify all the father figures in your own life who have stood up for you, supported you, protected you, and guided you.

Abraham: A Spiritual Pillar

Regarded today as the Father of all Nations or the Father of the Faithful, Abraham’s story is significant and can give you great insights about a father figure who led his family with unwavering faith and righteousness.

By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith, he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. He was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith, even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful and had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” – Hebrews 11:8-12, NIV

This passage highlights Abraham’s obedience, trust, and hope. Despite any uncertainty, he followed God’s call and believed in the promise of descendants. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, Abraham maintained his loyalty and trust in God and never wavered in his belief that God would fulfill His promises. He is portrayed as a father who did everything he could to model and instill faith and trust in God in his family.

You can identify an Abrahamic father figure because:

• He is an inspiring role model of good and moral leadership. This could be in your family, church, workplace, or community.
• He is a constant and consistent spiritual guide
• Is he faithful in obeying God’s will regardless of the cost?

Boaz: A provider

The Bible tells the story of a powerful and wealthy man. Boaz is known as an exemplary father figure for his generosity, compassion, and righteous acts.

At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with people you didn’t know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. – Ruth 2:10–12, NIV

Boaz’s character shines with deep integrity and respect for tradition in the way he steps up to take care of his dead relatives’ widows, Ruth and Naomi. This demonstrated a deep sense of responsibility and compassion towards others, as well as being a familial support pillar. Boaz selflessly helped Ruth and Naomi to redeem their land rights according to custom and embraced Ruth into his family despite her foreign background.

You can identify a Boaz kind of father figure because:

• He is a provider and uses his wealth and power to help provide for others in the family or the community.
• He is open-minded, compassionate, and accepting enough to see beyond conventional norms to open his doors to anyone
• He is fair and just to those who are under his care or ward, and does not take advantage of those who are vulnerable.

King Solomon: A wise counselor

Far from being a perfect man, the Bible portrays Solomon as one who knew and acknowledged his weaknesses and valued God’s wisdom to strengthen him. When God offered to reward him with anything he desired, Solomon asked for divine wisdom.

Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen—great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who can govern these great people of yours? – 1 Kings 3:7-9, NIV

Solomon used his God-given wisdom to author many proverbs and teachings that continue to provide practical guidance for daily living. He embraced his wisdom to provide wise counsel to his people, and he is an inspiration for the value of integrity over material wealth.

You should show gratitude to a Solomon-like father figure because:

• He is an intellectual role model who inspires respect for his wise decisions and successes.
• He is a constant academic, professional, or spiritual mentor who pushes you to become a better person.
• He is a sharer of his acquired wisdom for the benefit of the community; this could be through written works, lectures, or speeches.

Why Showing Fathers Gratitude is Significant

You should never underestimate or forget the tremendous value that fathers or father figures add to our lives every day. In many ways, fatherhood can be a very thankless and underappreciated role, but one you probably don’t even realize is irreplaceable.

In addition to the gratitude and love you show to your father, examine the various other relationships you have had with male role models in your life. You might be surprised that you have more ‘fathers’ to show your gratitude to than you previously considered.

God is our ultimate Heavenly Father, but he has given us many incredible men to be fathers to the fatherless, to stand in the gap where other men have abandoned their duties, and to give support when we need it.

Getting Help When Your Relationship with Your Father is Strained

If you have lingering bitterness, pain, or sadness caused by a relationship with a father who failed you, you need to consider confronting those emotions professionally. Don’t take them lightly. You do not have to suffer with the burden of rejection, abandonment, or abuse that was caused by someone you looked up to as a man.

Talk to someone who can help you heal, forgive, and become open to showing gratitude for the good father figures in your life. We are available for both in-person and online counseling, so book your appointment on this website and start your healing today.