Read Philippians 4:8
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father. —Galatians 4:6
According to the *Vines’ Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, “”Abba” is the word framed by the lips of infants, and betokens unreasoning trust; “father” expresses an intelligent apprehension of the relationship. The two together express the love and intelligent confidence of the child.” 
Have you stopped to take inventory of how you’ve developed your present perceptions of God, particularly as your Abba Father? Are you aware of where those opinions developed? Or have you accepted him as God but not Abba Father? Consciously or unconsciously, we filter our knowledge of who God is through our relationships, our environment, and our culture. All this information, right or wrong—good or bad, channels through our thoughts and emotions.
In Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Who Switched Off My Brain? Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions, she says our brain performs “about 400 billion actions” and of those 400 billion we are only “conscious of around 2,000.” I think I’m aware of only 10! Her research shows how “the body and mind are integrally connected.”
Certainly you’ve smelled food cooking and the aroma invoked a happy memory of comfort or not. Or the radio played a song, transporting you back in time where you experienced joy or sadness. Quoting Dr. Pert in her book, Dr. Leaf said Pert calls these “molecules of emotions.” Our thought life truly affects the way we perceive our self and our surroundings. Dr. Leaf also wrote, “ . . . these networks create “copies” of your ‘thought life’ along with the emotions that the chemicals coursing through your bloodstream literally carry around your whole body like an information highway . . . Information molecules are then able to cause changes at the cellular level . . .” According to Dr. Leaf’s studies, this chemicals can have adverse affects on our bodies but that’s a whole other subject. Our brain remembers through the biochemicals set off by our thoughts and makes double copies of them.
In other words, a negative environment that creates negative feelings “will release negative chemicals.” And the opposite is true, an environment that is positive, will release positive chemicals throughout the body associated with “encouragement and praise.”
Let’s say we’ve experienced abuse, physically, emotionally, or sexually, from a parent—a father in this case. Your biochemicals “copied” your thoughts about those situations like a computer, which auto saves and saves your information. From any one experience, no matter the degree of hurt, your image of that parent (or care taker) spoiled your view of that role. When familiar sounds, smells, our touches occur, associated with those emotions, your brain releases those negative chemicals all throughout your body. The negative memories recreate the same negative emotions—although you might not comprehend that’s were those feelings stem from. I recently read a story of a young girl who was molested by her grandfather, starting at the age of eleven. My heart breaks and I wonder what her view of God the Father is. Fathers or grandfathers are people you trust. They are protectors and should not allow “bad stuff” to happen to their children? (See my blog on Does Everything Happen for a Reason?)
To give you an example of how we can transfer our idea of who God is by our experiences, my father told me one day, “Diane, I want you to know that whatever happens to you, you always have a home here.” Surprising and comforting as it was, I felt awkward like he knew something about me I did not. Soon after; however, my father’s statement gave me courage to share the news, that I, his fifteen-year-old daughter, was pregnant. My father’s openness translated in my heart that no matter what I’ve done, God my Father always has an open door (read Ephesians 3:12).
How can we know if we are projecting wrong perceptions on to God? Take time to contemplate these six questions.
1. What did you like about your earthly father?
2. What did you not like about your earthly father?
3. When you think of God as your Abba Father, what comes to mind?
4. When you compare your earthly father to God, what difference do you find or don’t find? And visa versa.
5. What, if any, negative thoughts have you discovered in which you’ve possibly have transferred on to God’s character?
6. When you picture yourself standing in the presence of God, where do you see yourself? (This could have a lot to do with your perceptions of what you think God thinks of you—you might play old tapes “copied by your brain,” which conveys to you you’re no good or unworthy, (read 2 Corinthians 5:17).
When you have time, read Psalm 103, and list (or underline in your Bible) what he, God your Abba Father, does for you and what character qualities you find about him. If you would like, share some of those with other readers below. I welcome your comments.
* Vine, W. E. “Abba,” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Blue Letter Bible. 1940. 1 Apr 2007. 22 Sep2010.
From my Heart to Yours 