I’ve often thought that if a person was abused by their father, they would have some difficulty with the idea of God the Father as a caring, loving Father. However, I have encountered individuals, despite the abusive relationship with their fathers, turn to God as their Abba Father* without any difficulty. In fact, it was because of the abuse of the human father that they find comfort in their divine Father.
These individuals, I also observed, have been taught biblical foundations at a very early age, whether in school, by itinerant preachers or at Christian feeding programs. At the tender age of a need for a secure relationship with a parent, that very simple tenet of God the Father in Scripture supplied that need. Such an experience stayed with them until their later years, and are often passed on to their own children.
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 NKJV
This verse particularly those last few words, “in the training and admonition of the Lord” tells us that fatherhood is primarily of God, and that human fathers take their authority from God and not from themselves or their own fathers or grandfathers. Ultimately, God is the model father to which all fathers are accountable.
* “Abba” is of Aramaic origin, meaning “father.” Abba Father, as used in the Bible, doubly emphasizes the fatherly love and care of God to His adopted children.