“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” (1John 4:18a, NIV2)

When I was a baby, uttering words that no one could understand, “Ga”, “Oh”, “Ou”, I was shimmering in delight when my mom took me in her arms. I still remember what was going through my mind: I was thanking my Heavenly Father for the wonderful family He had given me. I felt safe. I felt I was part of royalty.

A few years later, everything changed. My dad and my mom had drunk a bit too much, and they started to yell at one another. I was about six years old when that occurred, and I was trying to sleep. My mom hid in her room, which was right next to ours, and locked the door. When I heard my father coming in my direction, I couldn’t help but hide under my bed. My brother, 5 ½ years older than me, did the same. My dad started to bang on my mom’s door. Before I knew it, he broke towards the door and there was more fighting. Both my brother and I were cowering. Our haven had been broken!

The next day there was no mention of what happened. In fact, everyone acted as if nothing had happened. Even though I still loved my dad, I became afraid of him that night. I didn’t feel like royalty any longer. My trust had been broken, and I acted accordingly. I felt more like a pauper.

Fortunately there were never any further occurrences like this. Deep down, my father regretted his actions.

How we act towards others can make a real impact on their lives. We either treat them with honor or as scumbags, and many times we aren’t even aware of this!

Too often we forget this reality: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” (Rom 8:14, NIV2) We have a Father in heaven who cares about us way more than anyone else. If we feel like paupers, it’s because we have lost our way.

The adversities of life can do this to us: the boss yelling at us whenever he or she fancies…We feel like scumbags, even if we haven’t done anything wrong! Or a clerk who treats us like an idiot. This will also work to shatter our confidence. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that we are “children of God,” as manifested “by the Spirit of God” living in us!

Who will we trust? Our yelling boss or anyone else acting like him or her? Or our Loving Dad in heaven?

We are so important to our Father that: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV2)

We can shimmer in delight with His reality!

May we remember that broken doors can be fixed, but emotions are quite more complicated to repair. God, though, still considers us as royalty, not paupers. We are His children after all!

Are you a pauper or royalty? It’s up to you!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Dragon Tramps or Kingdom Heirs” devotional series, please click here.)