"We’re all dependent on positive memories to encourage, inspire, comfort, delight, and heal us."

A thought by H. Norman Wright from his book, When the Past Won't Let You Go (p. 20). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

Yes, we are!

Norman says, "Memories of having been loved. Memories of having been a success. Memories of pleasure. Without these and other healing memories, we remain raw and broken. Very often, a victim’s answer to the question 'When were you last happy?' is 'Never' or 'I don’t remember.' The fact that their lives can be different from the brokenness and pain of the moment isn’t remembered or realized; therefore, achieving that pain-free state isn’t considered an option. The task of healing, then, is in part recovering memories that are healing in nature.(1)"

He goes on, "Memories are not just random thoughts. They exist for a reason. The bottom line is their purpose is to positively influence the present and future based on what we’ve experienced in the past."

He continues, "Memories can serve at least two purposes. They can be very helpful for our present and future or they can hinder our present and future. When we learn from the past and make positive adjustments, growth occurs. But traumatic and painful memories can bring the past into our present and future in unhelpful ways.

"Memories are storage containers. One of the strongest aspects of human memory is the storage of emotional experiences. We remember emotions more than accurate facts.(2)

"Memories are not literal descriptions of our world. They are really reconstructions that are assembled from brain activity. Memories are not facts, although they can be influenced by facts. Our memories can even change without us being aware of it."

He then says, "There is another aspect to memory that could impact all of us—memory loss. This can occur at any age, although it tends to go hand in hand with aging. Many live with a fear of this occurring from dementia or Alzheimer’s, but it’s also currently believed to be a natural part of the aging process.

"The loss of memory is one of our most important obstacles. Without memory we’re limited. When our memory is severely impaired, we are no longer ourselves. Memory is one of our most precious abilities. Without memory, we have no background or way to move forward. Memory is a crucial part of our existence."

Memories have such an impact on our lives, don't they?

Yes, yes!

Comments

“Hurry and love are incompatible.”

A thought by John Mark Comer from his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (p. 23). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Wow, pretty strong thought isn’t it? John says, “All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as a human being, are when I’m in a hurry—late for an appointment, behind on my unrealistic to-do list, trying to cram too much into my day. I ooze anger, tension, a critical nagging—the antitheses of love. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re trying to get your type B wife and three young, easily distracted children out of the house and you’re running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), just pay attention to how you relate to them. Does it look and feel like love? Or is it far more in the vein of agitation, anger, a biting comment, a rough glare? Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.” He goes on, “Hence, in the apostle P...

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

“The gospel is good news, not good advice.”

A thought by Timothy Keller (2016-10-25) from his book, Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ (p. 21). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I’m glad you stopped to catch a glimpse of what this thought really means. Tim says, “Advice is counsel about what you must do. News is a report about what has already been done. Advice urges you to make something happen. News urges you to recognize something that has already happened and to respond to it. Advice says it is all up to you to act. News says someone else has acted.” He then gives an illustration, “Let’s say there is an invading army coming toward a town. What that town needs is military advisers; it needs advice. Someone should explain that the earthworks and trenches should go over there, the marksmen go up there, and the tanks must go down there.” That’s advice He goes on, “However, if a great king has intercepted and ...

Just Continue That Thought...

Search This Blog