There are some memories that are as clear as the day they occurred. We remember how we felt, what the day was like, and all the sights and sensations we experienced. They can be so vivid as if they were occurring right in that moment. Others we can completely forget about even ones as recently as yesterday. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to why our memories work this way. It's not like we just remember good memories and forget all the bad ones. They just randomly pop in our heads out of nowhere. It could be a location, a song, or a smell that makes us remember things from our past.
I thought about this the other day when I found an old prayer journal from my college bible study days. It was filled with a variety of prayer requests (most of them dealt with school or work). But, along with each prayer request there was a written update and answers to some of those requests. We tended to follow up on our prayer requests the following week.
It brought to my mind as to do we ponder or reflect on these prayers that are answered? Do we go back and remember the times that God answered our prayers? Maybe not in ways we expected even? Or, do we just move on to our next adventure in life?
I, for one, am not good at remembering those answers. Rarely, if ever, do I jot down my prayer requests and even rarer do I follow up on them. Maybe you track these things down and use them to reflect. I think it's a really good idea. One of the benefits from doing my blog is that I remember some of these memories and reflect. Even if no one read the things I was writing down, it is still such a benefit to me to put my thoughts down and to look back and look forward.
I think that it is fairly easy in this day and age to get caught up in life. To get lost in the rush of our hectic lives. Always pressing forward on to the next task, the next goal that we fail to look back and appreciate what has been done. We do this in all aspects of our lives - with our families, our careers, and in our walk with the Lord. We don't stop to "smell the roses" as they say. Just onward and upward with our lives. When we do this, we can run the risk of forgetting what has been done. And in not remembering, we run into the same obstacle and struggle mightily against it.
Remembering what God has done for us in our lives should fill us up with joy and hope. Joy because God hears our prayers and answered (maybe not in ways we expect, but answered nonetheless). We see in the bible, God's promises for us, and when they are answered in our lives, we can be joyful and secure that God's promises are true. This leads us to be hopeful. We can go forward having the knowledge that God has provided in the past, and will do so in the future.
The bible is full of remembrances of what God has done. The ministry of Jesus is full of words and actions that need to be remembered. These relate several instances of what God has done for mankind. So, it is always good to step back and reflect.
"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits" Psalm 103:2
This doesn't mean to always remember just good things. We need to also remember those moments where we struggled and the Lord got us through. Hard times and discipline also has its benefits. Lessons are learned from both types of events.
There are many ways to remember the things God has answered. The bible is a good start. It is full of God's promises, what He has done, the answers He has given. and the lives forever changed thanks to God. With a little hunting, you can find an event in the bible that matches maybe what you are going through. Another way is to pray. It doesn't have to be fancy or eloquent. God knows what is on your heart and that's what matters not what words you use. While praying, you may be reminded of the other times God has answered. This is reassuring and builds up hope and faith.
Being also in a community of believers can be invaluable. This creates a support structure with people who may have gone through similar situations. You can draw strength and hope knowing that others have been through the same. Also, it never hurts to have people praying for you as well. I have been reassured by people who have come up to me weeks later just asking how things are going. Knowing that people are there for you can get you through a lot easier than if you are feeling alone in the moment.
Writing it down can also be of immense help. Our memories are not perfect and re-reading our thoughts can be helpful reminders. This is why I write these blogs down. It reminds me of all the benefits God has taught me and seen me through. I share them as my witness to you. Maybe you will be entertained, maybe you will learn, and maybe you will be strengthened. Reminders that prayers are answered always helps.
I thought about this the other day when I found an old prayer journal from my college bible study days. It was filled with a variety of prayer requests (most of them dealt with school or work). But, along with each prayer request there was a written update and answers to some of those requests. We tended to follow up on our prayer requests the following week.
It brought to my mind as to do we ponder or reflect on these prayers that are answered? Do we go back and remember the times that God answered our prayers? Maybe not in ways we expected even? Or, do we just move on to our next adventure in life?
I, for one, am not good at remembering those answers. Rarely, if ever, do I jot down my prayer requests and even rarer do I follow up on them. Maybe you track these things down and use them to reflect. I think it's a really good idea. One of the benefits from doing my blog is that I remember some of these memories and reflect. Even if no one read the things I was writing down, it is still such a benefit to me to put my thoughts down and to look back and look forward.
I think that it is fairly easy in this day and age to get caught up in life. To get lost in the rush of our hectic lives. Always pressing forward on to the next task, the next goal that we fail to look back and appreciate what has been done. We do this in all aspects of our lives - with our families, our careers, and in our walk with the Lord. We don't stop to "smell the roses" as they say. Just onward and upward with our lives. When we do this, we can run the risk of forgetting what has been done. And in not remembering, we run into the same obstacle and struggle mightily against it.
Remembering what God has done for us in our lives should fill us up with joy and hope. Joy because God hears our prayers and answered (maybe not in ways we expect, but answered nonetheless). We see in the bible, God's promises for us, and when they are answered in our lives, we can be joyful and secure that God's promises are true. This leads us to be hopeful. We can go forward having the knowledge that God has provided in the past, and will do so in the future.
The bible is full of remembrances of what God has done. The ministry of Jesus is full of words and actions that need to be remembered. These relate several instances of what God has done for mankind. So, it is always good to step back and reflect.
"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits" Psalm 103:2
This doesn't mean to always remember just good things. We need to also remember those moments where we struggled and the Lord got us through. Hard times and discipline also has its benefits. Lessons are learned from both types of events.
There are many ways to remember the things God has answered. The bible is a good start. It is full of God's promises, what He has done, the answers He has given. and the lives forever changed thanks to God. With a little hunting, you can find an event in the bible that matches maybe what you are going through. Another way is to pray. It doesn't have to be fancy or eloquent. God knows what is on your heart and that's what matters not what words you use. While praying, you may be reminded of the other times God has answered. This is reassuring and builds up hope and faith.
Being also in a community of believers can be invaluable. This creates a support structure with people who may have gone through similar situations. You can draw strength and hope knowing that others have been through the same. Also, it never hurts to have people praying for you as well. I have been reassured by people who have come up to me weeks later just asking how things are going. Knowing that people are there for you can get you through a lot easier than if you are feeling alone in the moment.
Writing it down can also be of immense help. Our memories are not perfect and re-reading our thoughts can be helpful reminders. This is why I write these blogs down. It reminds me of all the benefits God has taught me and seen me through. I share them as my witness to you. Maybe you will be entertained, maybe you will learn, and maybe you will be strengthened. Reminders that prayers are answered always helps.
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