Why You Should Embrace the Gift of Forgetfulness

Daily Devotional – Sunday, February 13, 2022

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…

Philippians 3:13 (NKJV)

In my family, whenever one of us forgets to do something, we joke that age is catching up with him or her.  While not all ageing people are forgetful, most people tend to disremember as they accumulate birthdays.

Forgetfulness is not a desirable trait for many people. It can have negative consequences, such as missing important appointments, losing friends who think one is a snob, and losing potentially life-transforming opportunities.

As Forgetful As a Warthog

Take the example of the proverbial warthog. This animal have such as short memory that after a brief run from a predator, it forgets is it in danger and stops fleeing. I find this a perfect description of the human tendency to flirt with sin.

That said, there are situations in which forgetfulness can be a blessing. In fact, I think it beneficial to forget some things as one ages. Imagine growing old with fresh memories of all the insults, embarrassments, frustrations and pains you suffered in the past.

Paul versus a Painful Past

Ageing would be torture. You would spend your retirement days regretting missed opportunities and wishing evil on those who hurt you. I thank God for allowing me to forget, gradually, some of my painful experiences.  

I love Paul’s attitude towards his unpleasant past. The apostle had heavy emotional and spiritual baggage especially because of his past as a persecutor of Christians. Even after he became a Christian himself, he experienced immense pain because of His faith.

Forgetting What is Behind

However, when he looked back at his life, Paul affirmed:

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14).

I cannot enumerate all the good things God has done for me. These I want to remember. However, I also have hurts I want to forgive and forget. Rather than focus on what did not work, I want to strain towards the prize of eternal life that God has in store for me.

The Gift of Forgetfulness

Yes, there are circumstances in which forgetfulness is a blessing. Which negative experiences do you need to forgive and forget for you to grow physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?

Almighty Father, help me to forgive and forget any issue that can hinder me from receiving the prize of eternal life for which you called me.