5. Elitist Aristocrat God

Unloving God-Image: Elitist Aristocrat God.

Description: Elitist Aristocrat God is distant, impersonal, snobby, too lofty, too good, too perfect to connect with the likes of someone like me. He has a superior attitude, and he doesn’t seem to need me or care about me. He operates in an entirely different plane, up in the sky, apart from mere mortals like me. God just isn’t there for me. He has his favorites, the “elite” saints, the ones who are more like him, of higher stature, of greater importance. But I’m not one of his favorites. I get the cold shoulder from God. God has no need of me.

Potential Reasons for this God-Image: In childhood, your parents were self-absorbed and caught up in their own social or professional images. You felt like you were not as important as your parents’ occupation. You felt distant from them and not their favorite child. As you grew up, you were excluded and rejected by others, especially the popular ones. You felt like others were not interested in your sufferings, trials, and miseries, especially God. God answers others’ prayers but not yours. Your misfortunes are signs of this.

Unlovable Self-Image: “Excluded Ellen.”

Description: Since Elitist Aristocrat God doesn’t associate with low-class people like me, I get excluded and left out. I’m not good enough to be included in God’s elite crowd. I’m not acceptable to Him; He doesn’t need me for anything. He doesn’t pay attention to my prayers. If He does notice me, he puts me down.

Scripture Passage: “Every day I call upon thee, O Lord; I spread out my hands to thee. …But I, O Lord, I cry to thee; in the morning my prayer comes before thee. O Lord, why dost thou cast me off?” (Psalm 88:9, 13-14).

Loving God-Image: Humble God.

Description: Humble God humbly seeks to associate Himself with me and to include me in what He does; He allows Himself to “need” me. God not only accepts you, He wants you! He wants to be close.

Scripture Passage: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ²He called a child, whom he put among them, ³and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:1-5).

Lovable Self-Image: I’m included.