We fear forgetting, of losing both our short and long-term memory. But the power of forgetting can be a powerful tool to help us advance and mature in our Christian growth.
Paul said we can only forget what has happened in the past. But we can also remember the past, dwell on it, recap the emotions some past experiences brought us, and be discouraged about our present and future plans.
Forgetfulness is a weakness—a human weakness. God doesn’t forget our sins; He chooses not to remember them when we confess them. And that is what forgetting is—choosing not to remember.
We will only choose to forget or not recall things when we realize the power of forgetting them. When we forget them, we have victory over them.
When we deliberately choose to forget something, we choose not to remember it. This is not referring to something that has slipped from our memory on its own but rather something we have deliberately pushed out and deleted from our memory for our own good.
Many people constantly recall painful events that happened to them many years ago. The people who caused their hurt have been dead for many years, but by remembering the event, they choose to let those things hurt them repeatedly. Deciding to forgive our offenders helps us move on with our lives. When we milk the past, we ruin our present and future.
We would be surprised how much more power, freedom, and liberty we would have to live for Jesus if we would forget “that which is behind.”
Don’t let the past rob you of power today and hinder your service to God.
James H. Cagle has been preaching and getting the Word out since 1982. He has pastored for twelve years. He now writes for twelve newspapers weekly. He has published three books and is working on several others. James spent four years in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1980 as a sergeant. He grew up in Bemiss, Georgia, and graduated from Lowndes High in 1975. He currently resides in Nashville, Georgia.