Remembering what we read.

            This period of lock-down has given me more time to read.  However I am finding that I am not remembering very well the things that I am reading.

            In reading Heather Holleman’s book Guarded by Christ: Knowing the God Who Rescues and Keeps Us, I have not only been helped but also challenged to make a greater effort at remembering particularly those things that God is speaking to me about.   

            In the chapter dealing with the memory, she asks the question “Why can’t I remember – in a meaningful and applicable way – that I’m guarded by Jesus…I read and forget.  We go to church and forget.  We attend conferences, read books, listen to worship songs, and then we forget.” * I identify with that.

            She suggests that one reason is that we live in a digital world in which young adults spend 85 percent of their day connected to digital devices, and they outsource their memory to their phones, laptops, or tablets.  They don’t know information; they mainly know how to access information, and this keeps data one step removed from their minds. Further, “The Internet has become a primary form of external or transactive memory, where information is stored collectively outside ourselves,” resulting in people remembering far less, but knowing where the information can be found.^* In addition to this, we are probably experiencing information overload.  Even if we wanted to recall something, there is so much other information in the way we can’t find what we are looking for. 

            God wants us to remember those things that are important.  Peter tells us, “So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth ….  I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body.” (2 Peter 1:12-13).

            So how do we go about reminding ourselves of the things God is teaching us?  In Psalm 119:9, the psalmist asks, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.” The Authorized Version uses the word taking heed for living, so we need to pay attention to it, and then live it out.  It is by putting truth into practice that it becomes more meaningful. Then two verses later he says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  We hide God’s word in our hearts by memorizing it.  By the continual repetition of something it becomes a part of us.  However, the older we get, the more of an effort it becomes to retain things in the mind, or to recall what is already there.  So how can we overcome these problems of forgetfulness and poor recall?

            When reading the Bible or attending a service I have a note book in which I can make notes of things that impress me.  Writing a journal is another way that is helpful, not only because it can be referenced back to as a reminder, but also because when we write we are reinforcing what we are thinking about. 

Often what we need is a prompt to remind us of what we have learnt.  Holleman found picturing the truth a helpful cue to remember.  This resonated with me because being a visual person what I see I remember more readily.  When going shopping I will look at the pictures on the label to find the product whereas my wife will read the words on the item.  We all process life differently so we need to choose the method that best suits us.

        The example Holleman gives is when the Lord used Psalm 97:10 to help her through an anxious time in her life.  She found the picture of being guarded in a castle by the Lord helpful.  Thinking this idea through she came up with several key words that fitted in with the picture which helped to stabilize her heart for the day.  She puts it like this.  “I’m dragging myself out of bed, and before my toes hit the worn carpet, I feel the weight of the day on my soul. I feel the creeping power of shame and guilt begin their encircling strangle. But I remember the words that parade in alliterative beauty across the landscape of my mind.  I’m confident before God and not condemned.  I’m catapulting into the presence of a God who is captivated by me.  I’m not conforming to rules. I’m covered by righteousness.  I recall the words and then Jesus. Immediately, He encloses my heart and soul in a guarding embrace. I’ve generated the soul fortress anew with the first piece of critical data: I’m not condemned. I’m confident. I’m catapulting myself into His arms. You can say this too.” *

            How can we overcome the forgetting of the things the Lord teaches us?  We can begin by asking Him to help and guide us in the method that will work best for us.  Daily repetition using the way that works for you, reinforces it in mind and heart.  Then when we need help – whether it is to resist temptation, looking for encouragement, feeling fearful or anxious, or whatever else the need of the moment might be, the Holy Spirit can then bring to mind His Word to help us through it.  This will encourage our faith and trust in God as we experience His Word in our daily needs and situations.      

* Holleman, H. (2016). Guarded by Christ: knowing the God who rescues and keeps us. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.