The Daddy Affect

Until it happened, I didn’t realize how much identity plays a crucial role in our overall success. 

Two years ago, when I discovered my dad might not be my biological father, it turned my world upside down. After a DNA test confirmed it, I mourned deeply for days. I could hardly function at even the simplest tasks. Work was especially difficult. I felt helpless as an infant.

But my own experience taught me to consider others in a fresh way. How many people are dealing with issues of identity? Clouds accompany difficult circumstances, and make us question who we are. Most of us will go through one or more of the following:

• Infidelity
• Divorce
• Carrying a secret about a child’s conception
• Financial disasters
• Serious illness
• Death of a loved one
• Job loss
• Career shift

How these challenges affect us depends on situation, personality of the individual, and whether we have a support foundation to pull strength from. For me, when I found out Dad wasn’t my biological father, it caused me to relive everything I thought I knew about myself. I felt like a little girl again. Cascading thoughts battered my brain.

Who am I? The child of the King of Kings.

Where did I come from? God knitted me in my mother’s womb. I exist on purpose, with a purpose, to fulfill a purpose.

Why can’t I push past this and function? Emotions are powerful, and their intensity can paralyze us, until we face them down, and process through them.

What will others think of me? My mind wouldn’t rest until I realized my Heavenly Father accepted me, He knew the source of my conception wasn’t my fault.

Can I feel normal again, and when? Normal is a subjective word. I absolutely will never feel like I did before I got my life-changing news, but I am whole in a new way, and at peace like never before. The entire truth is what sets us completely free. It took awhile to get there, but after spending much time on my Heavenly Daddy’s lap, He taught me to live a fresh and improved normal.

Why is this happening to me?  I found meaning in what some would call tragedy. As one wise person said, “Your mess becomes your message.”

Where’s my daddy when I need Him? Even though I couldn’t see Him in the midst of the darkness, He held my hand, and led me toward the light.

Ultimately, I discovered the reality of God as my Father, because I became Fatherless. The Daddy Affect strengthened me so I could eventually function, even in a state of extreme weakness.

He let me crawl onto His lap, listened while I cried, gave me wise advice, and He turned my mess into a message with purpose.

Regardless of my circumstances, this is why I believe, It’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. 

Have you ever been blindsided by something that made your life stand still? If so, how did it impact your ability to function? Have you experienced The Daddy Affect?

Anita Fresh Faith

Anita Agers-Brooks  is a Business and Inspirational Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Expert, Certified Training Facilitator, Communications Specialist, national speaker, and author of the soon-to-be released book, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market.

She’s a partner in The Zenith Zone, a business coaching firm. Member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, Toastmasters, a client of WordServe Literary Group, graduate of CLASSeminars for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.

Anita’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. Anita lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

Follow her FreshFaith blog anitabrooks.com. You may contact her via website anitabrooks.com/contact/ or email anita.freshfaith@gmail.com.