Have you ever thought of your past? If you are like the rest of us, then I’m sure you’ve already done that a couple of times today. What happened to you as you reckoned those memories? Let me help you with this checklist so you can gain some clarity in answering this question:
Were you happy or sad?
Were you invigorated with fresh hope or you felt as though ounces of hope was sapped from you?
The reason for creating this checklist isn’t to assess you. You’ve probably been doing that all day; you might even be fatigued from all that introspection. I just want to prove a point; a point you will find out as you continue reading this article.
Memory is one of the best gifts the creator has given us. It’s so intriguing how we can hold on to a captivating event and relive it over and over again through the gift of memory. You can consider memory as a haven which you can freely rely on to get away from the mud and rut of present day living. That is not to say that we spend all our lives sitting around remembering the good old days; we can equally draw some good inspiration from the good old days to create better days.
During times when his soul was cast down, King David of Israel used the gift of memory to rise above the gloom that lingered. Let’s read this wonderful psalm he wrote
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (Psalm 103:2)
King David was more radical in his utilization of the gift of memory than most of us usually are. He went as far as making a demand on his soul not to forget all the goodness that the LORD showed him in times past. As far as we know, his soul obeyed his master’s desire by giving him the luxury of reliving all those good days that he lived in the goodness of the LORD.
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103: 3-5).
The right use of memory had a remarkable impact on King David. If you know him that well, you’ll realize that just like you, King David had his own share of terror, heartaches, and dark times. Bible scholars believe that he wrote this psalm in his old age. But even at that age, through the right use of memory, he could think about the renewal of youth.
It’s only reasonable that the enemy attacks this inestimable gift of memory. He’s so cunning about perverting this gift to the extent that his victims are terrorized and traumatized by what is meant for their good. For such people, it’s as though the sweetness of the honey straight from the beehive has suddenly turned as sour as the vinegar in Old John’s cupboard. Before we fall for the tactics of the enemy, let us remember that our memory of past events with all their accompanying emotions cannot change the past. Being mindful of this fact will bring us to a place where we are able to reconcile to life in a positive way.
Memories will always present you with two choices: bitterness or joy; regret or gratitude; ashes or beauty… the choice my dear reader lies with you. But my little advice is that you make the most out of those happy memories. Don’t throw those memories into the thrash can of forgetfulness. Cherish them, enjoy them and relive them.
Restpiration 