Interesting, isn’t it, how the slightest trigger can transport us back through time?
- A song might remind us of that first date with our spouse
- The fragrance of lilacs brings to mind a previous home
- The first bite of a family recipe at Thanksgiving conjures up bittersweet memories of another table long ago
They say that the memory of everyone we’ve known, every place we’ve been, and everything that’s happened to us is submerged in our subconscious. And the slightest nudge—haphazard as it might be–can bring a memory bobbing to the surface with surprising force.
But there’s another kind of remembering—a deliberate quest to seek truth for our lives—to understand how the hurts, mistakes, and losses, the treasured times, precious people, and lessons learned, reveal God’s work within us and for us, bringing good from it all.
For example, looking back through our memories we see:
God has given us strength to persevere.
At times we thought we’d never make it. Friends proved unfriendly and while the sting smarted we struggled to understand why the relationship went wrong.
Circumstances turned our lives upside down and we couldn’t see how to make things right again.
Death claimed a loved one and the pain seemed unbearable, unending.
But here we are. We survived, because God brought us through each calamity.
God has taught us the value of his wisdom.
Most of us have made choices along the way that seemed right but proved wrong.
Perhaps it was a relationship with someone whose habits provided troubling warning signs, but we ignored them and later suffered heart-rending hurt.
Or, perhaps we pursued an appealing, self-serving dream, only to discover its fulfillment did not produce the satisfaction we expected.
Some of us had to learn the hard way: God’s wisdom in scripture is truth after all, including his warning against relationships with fools (Proverbs 13:20) and the emptiness of selfish gain (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11).
But he also promised blessing for those who follow his all-wise guidance:
“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”
–Proverbs 16:20
God has demonstrated his faithfulness in countless ways.
Consider the categories listed below and allow your memory to plumb the depths, bringing to the surface people, places, and events from the past that reflect God’s faithfulness:
- Nurturing family members
- Loyal, supportive friends
- Secure places of contentment
- Health issues resolved
- Knots of circumstances untangled
- Necessities miraculously provided
- Blessings bestowed, not even asked for
And what can we anticipate as the result of this kind of remembering?
Peace.
Because we realize for all our yesterdays, God has…
…enabled us to power through on his strength,
…provided his wisdom to guide us through murky circumstances,
…and been at work in our lives for our benefit—sometimes in the form of gifts, sometimes in the form of lessons.
Such reassurances can settle fear, doubt, and worry, allowing peace to flourish today and into all our tomorrows.
This kind of remembering intentionally entwines past and future so memories become woven into faith-filled expectation.
(Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.pixnio.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.needpix.com; dailyverses.net.)
From the Inside Out 
Nancy, you come up with the most amazing articles. Love it and will share it with the Encouragers at our next meeting which will cover “Jump-starting our Lives.”
Today our topic was about finding a new purpose for our lives. Love to you and Steve.
Thank you, Ruth. So glad you found inspiration here to share with the Encouragers! Love to you too, my friend!
Hey Nancy, great post!
Thank you, David and Laura!
Beautiful post, dear Nancy. I have recently watched a documentary (in German) on remembering and forgetting. It was so intriguing. Some of the scientists made the point that if we don’t intentionally try to remember, we forget. I think there might be some truth to it… we do well to make efforts to remember God’s unfailing goodness to us.
I always find such encouragement when I come here to read! THANK YOU!
Praise God you found encouragement here, Heidi! I too would agree with those scientists that intentionality is necessary in order to remember. That was the reason I started a gratitude journal back in 1983–to hold on to the moments when God made himself known through special blessings and miracles. There are more than 1300 entries now! You are right: God’s goodness is never-failing!
I have to remember to get me a new journal for that 😂Have a beautiful weekend, friend.
On Facebook there is a category named ‘memories’. I click on it every day to see what was transpiring in my life during previous years (dependent upon my FB posts). It is a hodgepodge of recipes, jokes, etc. Indeed, many memories that pop up are painful (lost loved ones), but many are also wonderful as they remind me of the work that the Lord had been doing in my life that particular day. It’s a kind of journal for me as I revisit the Lord’s presence (answered prayer, wisdom and peace gained), in my life.
I like that phrase, “revisit the Lord’s presence.” That’s exactly the kind of remembering that carries us forward with faith, strength, hope, and courage. Thank you, Cheri!
Dear Nancy,
I know the Lord doesn’t shield us from trouble, but as He did with Jesus, turns the worst things in life to doors for Him to do the best things.
In Christ,
Gary
That truth DOES give us a cord of hope to hang on to while enduring hard times. I am SO thankful for Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11!
Thank you for inspirational message. Pray all is well with you and Steve. I am placing a golf leaf on the gold tree in the Church’s Memorial Garden in remembrance of my daughter. I think back at all the memories with her some good some not so good. Your message is perfect . God is always there
Laura
Praise God that this post ministered to you at just the right time, Laura. He is so good about that! Yes, dear friend, our God is always with us–easing the burden, infusing us with his strength, comforting us in our spirits. The Lord IS gracious and compassionate indeed (Psalm 103:8a)!
Thank you Nancy for this post. Just what I needed today. God bless you
Praise God for his timing! I love how he often brings into our lives exactly what we need to hear, when we need to hear it!