Just Press or Say "Delete"

No, this isn't about your computer...at least not the one that sits on your desk or in your lap. It is, however, about the "computer" that sits between your ears. The one that records and replays things from your life that have been stored in your memory.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Our brains are beyond any computer that exists or ever will exist. We have the capacity to take in a lot of information, process it and store it, as well as process many things at once. Our brains are wired to remember things...good things, bad things, and unimportant or useless things.

Sometimes I like to joke about that I "need more RAM" or storage space in my brain. Sometimes it feels "full to overflowing" with all the important details I need AND all the unimportant, useless information that I don't need. Did you ever read or hear something that reminded you of an old TV commercial? I'll bet you could remember the commercial, in detail, including any "phrase" associated with it. ("Where's the Beef?" Do you remember that one?) Why do I remember this? I don't need to know it. I could use the storage space in my memory that this useless information is taking up! Too bad I can't just press "delete."

There are things, though, that I would rather not remember, that I would like to "delete." Does this ever happen to you? It seems the more you try to forget whatever it is, the more it shows up again. On a computer, you can delete the information you no longer want or need and send it to the trash bin or you can replace it with something you do need. Why can't I do that?

I think it's time we "activate" our "delete" and "replace" features.

The first thing we need to do is recognize that when those "things" pop up in our minds, we need to look at why they are popping up. Is it from something that we haven't dealt with that we need to deal with (or get help in dealing with it)? Is it from something that we regret? If so, can any action be taken, such as seeking forgiveness or forgiving? Or is it something that cannot be changed and is only a memory?

As a Christian, I need to remember that when Christ died for me, he forgave me of my sins...past, present and future. If I'm getting "reminders" of things that either I've addressed, asked for forgiveness for, or given forgiveness, or of things that I have no control over, and never did, I need to take it to him. In Romans 8:1 it says "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." That means I am forgiven and I can take it to him and leave it there and the next time the memory appears, remember this verse and just say "delete." If it is something that I never had control over or can't change, I can bring it to him and ask him to heal my heart and the memories. In Psalm 147:3, it says "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds."

Oh, I know the "pop ups" will still try to appear...but now I have a "delete" plan. I don't have to allow those things to keep playing in an unending loop. I will set my "pop up blocker" and be prepared to "replace" them with the truth of his word.

Hey, maybe I'll actually have more storage space!

And the next time one of those old commercials starts playing in my memory...I'm going say "delete!" I need my memory storage space for all the good things yet to come!