The Bible says forget (Philippians 3:13); The Bible also says don’t forget (Psalms 103:2, Psalms 119:93)

Forgetting is a blessing.

Remembering is a blessing.

We are fortunate that we can forget.

We are grateful that we can also remember!

Wemeet all kinds of people in our lives, in our schools, in our offices, in the communities where we live, and in our society in general. These people display varying orientations across the attitudinal spectrum. Some are amazing, some are bland, and some are putrid.

The ability of our brain to delete certain memories gives space for us to remember things that had a positive impact on us. When we fail to remember some events, we create space in our minds for new information and experiences. Our brain can retain these memories in some shape and form, they can be vivid or blurry depending on the importance.

Imagine if you never forgot anything — your brain would be cluttered with unnecessary details, making it difficult to prioritize essential information. Forgetting less important things allows us to focus on what truly matters, making us more efficient learners and decision-makers and because of this, we can make as much progress as we have made in life.

Now, I know some persons have had terrible experiences that they haven’t been able to forget — I pray the healing balm of God whelms you and these experiences, and soothes you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Others may have chosen not to forget the wrongs they did and have let these wrongs become an obstacle restricting them from moving forward. God has forgiven you. Forgive yourself and move on — there is a lot that is set before you to achieve if you would just let go of these encumbrances.

In this synopsis, I have shown that forgetting at a level can be a blessing (forgetting where you kept your house key and looking for it for 30 minutes while it was in your hand all the time or looking for your wristwatch when you are already wearing it might not look like a blessing)….but of course, there are things you must remember, at least if you want to do well academically.

Therefore, this is not an advocacy for forgetfulness, on the contrary, it is a clarion call to remember. Remember the topic of this post is FORGET NOT.

Because forgetting can be a blessing — scripture tells us that there are some things we have to be deliberate about not forgetting because at the time of their initial happening you would never believe that you could forget them.

When you were experiencing these things, you would never believe that a time would come when you wouldn’t be able to recall them but alas Comrade you can’t even remember the minutest details of these events.

Shall we do a quick test?

1. What were your 2024 resolutions — can you state them chronologically?

2. What is your WAEC or NECO Registration Number? Let me make it simple? Okay. What was your UTME registration Number?

3. For married people, what was the colour of footwear your spouse was wearing on your first date?

4. What is the name of that new person you faffed with after service yesterday?

5. Last one, do you remember that powerful message P.Dams preached during service on the 23rd of March, 2024?

…

Welcome back from checking Soundcloud/Spotify/Youtube.

The 23rd of March was a FRIDAY! 😂 Sorry, P.Dams didn’t preach any message on that day. Meanwhile, only God knows what forgetting a wedding anniversary has caused for some Couples. 👀

Now, the reason you might be able to remember the answers to some of the questions above is likely because they are documented in one form or another OR your memory is ROM (Read-Only Memory).

Using normal distribution, forgetfulness is the default state of humans.

A powerful message you listened to — no note, no re-listening and the assumption that on first hearing you understood it. Clap for yourself 👏🏾👏🏾. Even faith comes by hearing (present continuous) and hearing (future continuous) the Word of God.

Why would God emphasize not forgetting⁉️

Deuteronomy 4:9 — Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;

Psalms 78:7 — That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psalms 103:2 –Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Psalms 119:16 — I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psalms 119:93 — I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

Proverbs 3:1 — My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Proverbs 4:5 — Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

All over the Scriptures, we see God telling his people to be deliberate about noting what he has done for them or asked of them. Even God knows that to remember things you have to be deliberate. Distance from events tends to tone down the magnanimity of these events especially if they are not properly documented.

When they are in prosperity; men forget, therefore they downplay the goodness God showed towards them when they were in the wilderness.

In each person’s history, God has done several things and even presently he is still doing stuff. Sometimes it takes perspective to see the SUPER that God has always layered in our NATURAL. This is why He asks us every time, to give thanks instead of waiting for hindsight to be grateful.

This is a call this week for you and me to FORGET NOT GOD’s BENEFITS.

What is the one thing that you have forgotten that you never thought you could forget and you have now chosen to make a deliberate effort to document it?!

(please share in the comments)

Have a Blessed Week!

Grace, Growth, and Glory.

Ayomide Arowele

— IG/X: @thearowele