Catholica
At 27, I realized something was stopping me from building a true father-daughter relationship with the Lord.
Being an adult and trying to move on from childhood bullying, violence, emotional incest, and low self-confidence has been exceedingly hard. Up to this day, I can still feel the wound bleeding sometimes.
When you can’t accept any father figure, how are you supposed to bond with God the Father?
Recently I’ve found unexpected comfort in reading some emotionally healing scriptures. These 15 amazing Bible verses will help you heal a father wound or any kind of wound. They’ll help you love your Father in Heaven with confidence and a renewed trust.
1. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 #
Depression, grief, mourning… God is right by your side, allow yourself to lean on Him. He allows pain to happen like a father allows His beloved child to get up and make his first steps. Pain makes us grow, whether we like it or not, we simply need to accept God’s Love.
2. “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” — Jeremiah 31:3 #
Another verse that makes me shiver and tear up. The idea that someone loves me more than I can accept is such a comforting thought. Whoever I am, however I live, whatever I look like… Everything that I am is so important and loved beyond my human comprehension.
3. “She is far more precious than jewels.” — Proverbs 31:10 #
This quote in particular always gets me. I feel so important and beautiful!
Think about an ocean of gold, pearls, and rubies, shiny and glittering under the sun. And see them turn into an ashen colour as the sunlight focuses on you. You with your imperfections, insecurities, wounds, traumas… Worth more than a river of pearls and trinkets of gold.
4. “You are God’s masterpiece.” — Adapted from Ephesians 2:10 #
God can’t make mistakes, He’s perfect in every way. And so are you, His creature. You’re not perfect as in “I don’t make mistakes” or “I’m perfectly beautiful”, no, you’re His best work because you’re free to love him back with all your strength.
5. “I am with you always.” — Matthew 28:20 #
No matter if you sin, no matter if you fail, no matter if you doubt Him, He’s always willing to open His arms for you, His favourite child.
6. “Arise, my love, my beautiful one.” — Song of Solomon 2:10 #
Jesus loves His Church, calling her the Bride, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Adorned with gold and jewelry, fine linens, and pearls, you are a beautiful ornament of the Church, and no matter your issues, Jesus will always yearn to draw you closer to Him.
All scriptures used in this post are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).
7. “God is within her, she will not fail.” — Adapted from Psalms 46:5 #
Lean against the Lord and He will lend you His Strength. Trust Him, by His grace you won’t fail.
8. “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” — Judges 6:12 #
You ARE a warrior; you fight bravely against Satan and the iniquities of this world. Keep warring, the Lord is your shield.
9. “Under his wings, you will find refuge.” — Psalm 91:4 #
He will protect you from the rain and from your tears. God is all-powerful, full of love, and actively seeks your wellbeing. If you ask Him, He will provide you warmth and shelter.
10. “Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” — Matthew 10:31 #
A sparrow is a small bird, less valuable than any bird. Yet, not even one little sparrow could fall onto the ground without God knowing about it. You’re worth more than a million sparrows, so imagine how much your Father cares about you if you trip and fall.
11. “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord.” — Isaiah 62:3 #
You too, after your misfortune, AND in spite of your sins, can be consoled: for God, your beauty is always present. You are shiny in the palm of His Hand, worthy of being shown to the world as a treasure.
12. “I loved you at your darkest.” — Adapted from Romans 5:8 #
Even in the deepest pits of your depressions, the harshest of your heartaches and pain, God was ALWAYS there. You may not feel Him all the time, but he’s faithful, fierce, and loving.
Do you struggle with worrying too much? These Bible verses for anxiety and fear were also helpful to me in finding peace.
13. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14 #
Too skinny, too fat, too pale, too dark, black, white, able, disabled… God conceived you perfect for Him, perfect to love and follow Him as a child follows their father.
14. “When you pass through the waters, I’ll be with you.” — Isaiah 43:2 #
He will always be with you, even in the hardest and loneliest times. He’ll carry you Home, in His arms, because you’re His Child. What father wouldn’t do this for their beloved son or daughter?
15. “He makes beauty out of the ashes.” — Adapted from Isaiah 61:3 #
You may feel like you’ve lost something you can never get back, but God will make you rise from your misery like a phoenix from its ashes. God the Father wants to give you new life.
I hope these Bible verses for emotional strength will help you find whatever healing you seek. If you had an emotionally absent dad, building self-worth and trust in a father figure can be tough and take a long time—months, years, a lifetime—but stay safe in the embrace of the Lord your Father.
Also, I’d like to reassure you that needing help is not shameful! If you feel like you need to talk about the psychological wounds that stunt your spiritual development and mental health, please seek the help of somebody you trust. E.g. a priest you know well and/or a therapist.
Meanwhile, I really hope these 15 scriptures will help you heal the father wound (or any wound) that hurts your soul, and build your relationship with God, your Father.