By Danny Minton

Most of us born before 1950 remember exactly where we were when we heard the news on this date, November 22, 1963. It was a little after 12:30 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, while standing in the lunch line at school, that the words began to spread, and a typically loud crowd slowly grew quiet. We just received the news that 20 miles away, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, had been shot. Minutes later, we would hear that the President was dead. 

I’ve heard that the neocortex is where our brain stores long-term memories. It is there that the significant things that have happened in my life are stored, and I can remember them in more detail. I remember where I first met my wife and part of that conversation. I can remember where I was when I first decided to give my life to Christ and the day I was baptized. I remember when my mother told me my dog had died. I remember where I was when I got the call from the adoption agency about both our sons. I remember weddings, loved ones’ memorials, and special days. These are thoughts that represent important times in my life.

Unfortunately, also stored in that area are regrets and negative situations that have been a part of my past life. As much as I’d like for them to disappear, they still pop up occasionally. The details are still there. I try to push them deeper into the corners of my mind and even forget them, but they still show up from time to time.

Our memories are essential, whether positive or negative. Some are trivial, while others hold significant meaning. Whether good or bad, our memories have helped form who we are. They are picture stories of our lives that often guide our decisions. The good memories can be encouraging and help us through difficult times. On the other hand, memories, those we would like to forget, have an impact on how our character is developed.

Paul spoke of his “thorn in the flesh.” I’ve read where it was thought to be something physical, but personally (my opinion), I believe that in the back of his mind, one of those negative memories had to “eat” at him. Maybe some of the thoughts of how he persecuted the Christians were ever-present in some of his thoughts.

However, to balance this feeling, I imagine his thoughts often went to that road where Jesus entered his life, and he went from persecuting to encouraging. Many others in the Bible had similar struggles and conflicts. Some learned from them, like Paul, who lived his life as a better person and served God the rest of his life. Others, like Judas, found the guilt too overwhelming.

Paul tells us how he was able to move forward when things didn’t go well, and his desire to be Christlike. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV2011)

One word mentioned over 150 times in the Bible is “Remember.” It first occurs when God promises to “remember my covenant” to mankind after the flood. The last time was to the church in Sardis, “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” Revelation 3:3 (NIV2011)

Remember and hold fast to those good memories and build on how they have affected your life. Live a life that continues to create positive memories. As far as those negative memories go, use them to learn. Don’t let them get you down, but be like Paul and put them behind you, making room for the joys of the days to come.

Danny Minton, a member of Southern Hills Church of Christ, is a hospital chaplain