My whole life, I have had one of “those minds” that absorbs every detail. Hearing a song, the memory of the first time comes flooding back. Not only the memory of the song itself, but where I was, whom I was with, and all the details as well. Food memories are stronger yet, (I like food), the taste, smell, where I was, the decor, who was with me, as well as what they had, all stored in the jump drive resources of my mind. Test this if you must, and ask me where I was perhaps last August, what was eaten that day, or what I did, and complete details of the occasion will come rolling forth.
A curse? Maybe. A blessing, maybe, maybe not. Still, I will get up from the couch during an evening of TV, and forget what the mission was by the time I hit the kitchen just a few steps away. Totally frustrating is what that is.
Being able to remember in such detail has it downfalls as well. All the times I hurt another, said something which should not of been said, or did, would haunt me continually. Having lived a colorful BC (before Christ) life left a trail of wounds, regrets and hurt people as well. The mention of a book, driving through a neighborhood, a certain song would bring those memories to the surface screaming all their taunts of how terrible a person I really am, or was.
Struggling with the memories of a dead woman, yet. knowing I was crucified with Christ and that I no longer live, the woman I once was is dead. Having been raised to newness of life, a new creation, made me alive in my spirit, however in my soul they still held the memories of the old, etched there, waiting, stalking me, until the right set of circumstances could awaken them. How could I ever be free?
One day while reading the epistles of Paul he said, “I have wronged no man.” in 2nd Corinthians 7:2. Had to stop him right there and ask, “Paul, how can you say that? Seriously now. You stoned Steven in Acts 7. I would call that wronging the man, wouldn’t you?” But he was so convinced in what was said, there had to be more to his thinking than I was understanding.
Paul’s advice was to forget those things which are behind and look forward at where I was heading rather than back at where I had been. But Paul, how do we forget the memories that haunt us, the pain we caused others. However, the real question I was asking Paul is, “Paul, how did you forgive yourself for what you had done?”
The answer was right there in the next chapter of Philipians. “Be anxious for nothing”, take your cares, and lay them at the feet of Jesus, leaving them there never to condemn me again. Peter understood this and mentioned it in 1 Peter 5:7 saying, “Think on those things that are pure, honest, and lovely, which will bring the peace of God into your heart and mind.
Sounds simple enough, but how? Each of us is different I suppose, so, what I do is this. When a memory arises which causes this flood of emotions to arise and carry me down to the pit, I take that memory and lay it at the feet of Jesus, confessing the sin of it, and ask for forgiveness. Each time, at that moment, I feel a flood of His love fill my heart and mind with peace. When that memory arises again, I refuse to recall the pain of it, but rather the moment it was laid to rest at His feet, and the feeling of that forgiveness. I thank Him once again that He bore my pain, and grief, and refuse to allow my memory to dwell there. Instantly the pain leaves and peace resides. Does the memory return again, and again? Yes, it does, it’s a memory, but the pain of it, and the hurt which comes along with it no longer condemns me, I am free through His saving grace. God is good, all the time. Yes, He is.
Jesus we know you bring dead things to life, and cast off the restraints of those memories which haunt us. We give you our crucified life and ask you to live large within us every waking moment of the day.
If this message has spoken to you please let us know in the comments below. We look forward to hearing how Jesus has healed you of old memories and awakened you to new ones in Him.
We invite you to share your story, (testimony), of His healing power in the area of emotions on our ministry site https://6peopleaway.com. Look forward to hearing from you.
