The memory is a strange thing. Our brains have many types of memory. There is sensory memory, working memory, explicit and implicit memory, and this doesn’t fully capture the intricacies of memory. Sometimes sounds, smells, locations evoke unexpected memories. These can be welcome or unwelcome.
I was eating yogurt for breakfast when I started to bite down on something very hard. Shocked I quickly spit out a crown that had come off. The crown had been firmly in place for give or take thirty years.
I was instantly taken back to my college years. I was told I needed a root canal and a crown. A dear friend’s father offered to make the crown to save me some money. I was so grateful for his generosity. I spent the morning thinking about him, his family and his kindness. The memories are sweet.
Not all memories fall in that category. The memory can catch us off guard. It was a tobacco smell. The person smoking was harmless, but my body wanted to run. The inner panic was overwhelming. I didn’t know where it was coming from. I then found myself being uncomfortable around this person even though they had nothing to do with source of the memory.
My brain and body couldn’t distinguish the current situation from a traumatic childhood experience. My brain thought it was in danger and reacted appropriately. It took significant work to undo that reaction and teach my body that it was safe from that smell.
20 My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[c]
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:20-24 ESV).
The memory can call to mind unwelcome thoughts. Our nature is to ruminate on them. God calls us to ruminate on him instead. We are reminded that mercies are new every morning and putting our hope in him will restore our soul’s.
Has your memory failed you? Does it bring back what is unwelcome? Have you learned to claim new mercies each day? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.