At thirteen Phil McGraw became a Christian as the result of the ministry of a Southern Baptist church in the southwestern United States. He humorously describes his conversion as a real hell fire and brimstone experience. Due to the alcoholism of his father his formative years were not always pleasant. He described his relationship with his father as combative.
Fortunately for this young man his dad was able to get his addiction under control, and then he became a caring, nurturing father. On one occasion his dad asked, “Do you know why I am working so hard on being a good dad?” Phil responded, “I guess it’s because you feel so guilty for being so bad.” His dad replied, “Yeah, that’s part of it, but the truth is I know your relationship with your Heavenly Father will be a reflection of your relationship with me, your worldly father. If you do not trust me and if you do not respect me and you don’t feel like you can count on me, then you will never trust, respect, and count on your Heavenly Father. The worst thing I can do for you is to take that away from you and I don’t want that to happen because I am going to die and you are going to have to have a Heavenly Father to turn to and that’s why I am working so hard on this.”
These practical words have helped frame the life of Phil McGraw. Every week he appears before thirty-five million viewers on television, and the difference he experienced through the life of his father is what helps Dr. Phil be so straight forward as he addresses the problems in the lives of others.