“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. – Isaiah 65:17
Throughout our lives, we remember a lot of things. We remember the good and the bad moments in our lives. Good memories are something we cherish and like to remember but when it comes to the bad, we rather forget them.
The problem is that the bad memories won’t let us forget them. They pop up now and then, sometimes with a trigger and other times just on their own. No matter how hard we try to get rid of them, the bad memories are still there. Even when we think we have forgotten, they come back. It’s a continuous cycle of forgetting and remembering all over again.
As a Christian, there is comfort in the knowledge, that this cycle won’t last forever. We have a promise that there will be a new heaven and a new earth where we will remember no more. Those bad memories will be gone in an instant, never to take control of our minds again.
So, until that time, what do we do about those bad memories when they rise up? Paul told us that we should forget what’s behind us and look forward to the future (Philippians 3:13). However, forgetting isn’t easy as it sounds. That’s why Jesus told us to come to Him when we are burdened and weary (Matthew 11:28).
Remembering the bad things that happened to us can be painful but we can use them for good. You are not alone when it comes to some experiences, as there will be others who went through the same or similar events. God will place us in the lives of others at the right time so that we can help each other out when it comes to dealing with the stuff we don’t want to remember.
A New Heaven and a New Earth
Living here on earth, we will have to deal with bad memories. Bad memories are the result of the imperfect world we live in. We don’t create bad memories on purpose but we can be safe in knowing that no matter what there is an ultimate plan to deal with them.
On the grand scale of things, bad memories will eventually cease to exist. They are in fact, insignificant, compared to the eternity of good memories we will have when a new heaven and a new earth come to pass. We can also be thankful that we have been given a tool to help us through the times when bad memories overwhelm us. The Bible, is God’s gift to us, to help us through the times when we want to forget.
God knew that all of us would and will have bad memories to deal with. He understands that they are something we don’t want and he will wipe them away each time they crop up. All we have to do is to remember to ask Him for his help and guidance so that we can remember no more.