I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER FORGETTING IT
Photo courtesy of Gabriel Baranski
After being bitten by a dog, a man learned he had rabies. He immediately began making a list. His doctor informed him he had no need to write a will, because rabies was curable. “I’m not writing a will,” he replied. “I’m making a list of people I want to bite.”
I suppose we all have our “list.” Folks who have deeply wounded us and deserve a good “biting.” We nurse grudges for years, pampering them like a spoiled pet, relishing how badly we were wronged. Likewise, wrongs we’ve inflicted on others can haunt us. Wallowing in shame, we beat ourselves up over past regrets.
As we enter a new year, here’s a thought. Place whatever is tormenting you on the cross, and leave it there. Then when thoughts of past pain arise, take them captive, Remind yourself they now belong to Jesus. He died to free us from the bondage of our past.
Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13, “I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.” It’s a process. Some deep psychological wounds can leave scars that last decades, and require years to heal. But in day-to-day situations, when the enemy reminds us of past regrets, place them on the cross and forget it. Forgetfulness could save our lives, freeing us from all sorts of spiritual, psychological, and even physical maladies.
It’s possible, even when it’s hard. A friend once reminded Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, of something hateful a colleague had done to her. Ms. Barton ignored her friend’s comment. “Don’t you remember it?” her friend asked.
“No,” said Barton. “I distinctly remember forgetting it.”
It’s a choice. As we face 2026, let’s put the past behind us, and focus on the destiny God has for us in the year ahead.
Ponder
• What past hurts or regrets do you need to bring to the cross and forget?
• If this seems to too difficult, how can you get help in healing?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Philippians 3:12-16.
Jesus, thank you for the healing you bring through the cross. Please give me the power to leave my hurts and regrets with you, and not pick them up again.