It seems ironic to say that in this new year, I’ve spent a lot of time “looking back” rather than “looking forward”.

But, my reminiscing and remembering has taken me not to regrets or dark places but to joy in remembering.

I’ve remembered first Christmases with my kiddos who are now adults and teens. I’ve reflected on all God’s given, take away, taught, corrected, and improved in me and my family through the years.

Some memories are painful but there is always joy found in pain. There is always thankfulness for the people we once held dear, the troubles that made us stronger, and the light that shone bright in distress.

The Bible also may seem contradictory on this subject. God tells us may times “to remember” however, we also have many scriptures that encourage us to “forget what is behind” So, what is the key to remembering and forgetting?

I believe the Bible holds these two ideas together on purpose. Let’s explore.

Remembering and Forgetting

The Bible calls us to remember God’s faithfulness and also to forget what is behind. These are not contradictions—they are companions.

We remember what God has done so our faith grows strong.
We release the past so our hearts stay free.

God never asks us to forget His goodness—but He lovingly invites us to let go of what no longer belongs to who we are in Christ.

The Bible says “Remember”

“Remember” in Scripture usually means to call to mind God’s actions, character, and commands so they shape how we live now.

Examples:

• Remember what the LORD has done (Deut. 8:2; Ps. 77:11)
• Remember His covenant (Gen. 9:15; Luke 22:19)
• Remember His Character (Eccl. 12:1)

Purpose of remembering:

• Builds faith (God has been faithful before)
• Produces obedience (don’t repeat old sins)
• Fuels worship and gratitude
• Anchors identity in what God has done, not what we’ve done

In short: Remembering is about learning and trusting.

“Forget what is behind”

Paul writes: “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead…” (Philippians 3:13)

Here, “forget” does not mean mental amnesia. Paul himself often recalled his past (including persecuting the church). Instead, it means refusing to let the past define, control, or limit your pursuit of Christ.

What Paul is “forgetting”:

• Past sins that bring condemnation
• Past successes that create pride or complacency
• Anything that competes with knowing Christ fully

In short: Forgetting is about releasing control.

How Both are True at the Same Time

The Bible teaches us to:

✔ Remember what helps us trust and obey God
✘ Forget what keeps us trapped, guilty, proud, or stuck

Think of it like this:

Remember for wisdom. Forget for freedom.

Or:

Remember God’s faithfulness. Forget how your past might define you.

A helpful way to discern what to remember vs. forget is to ask:

• Does this memory draw me closer to Christ → Remember it
• Does this memory keep me in shame, fear, or pride → Release it

Jesus embodies both:

• He tells us to remember Him (Luke 22:19)
• He promises our sins are remembered no more by God (Heb. 8:12)

Salvation starts with repentance which means “change of mind.” This is remembering what we’ve done in order to confess sin, agree with God it’s wrong, and be cleansed.

But, the second part of this is to replace those sinful habits with God honoring behaviors. This is where forgetting what has been taken care of in repentance is important because it allows us to focus on what God has for us.

So we remember grace, not guilt. We remember the cross, not the chains.

15 Bible Verses that Encourage Us to Remember

Remember what leads you to worship. Release what keeps you from walking free.

This is by no means close to the almost one thousand verses that speak on rememberence. I have chose those that remind us to focus on God’s character, truth, and actions.

• But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18

• Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 1 Chronicles 16:12-14

• Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. Job 36:24

• I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12

• He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. Psalm 111:4

• I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts. Psalm 119:52, 55-56

• Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” Ecclesiastes 12:1

• Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9

• And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

• Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6

•  Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—  remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13

• Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel. 2 Timothy 2:7-8

• Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7

• Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:20

• Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Revelation 3:3

Praise God For What He’s Done

I would encourage you before you start this prayer guide to make a list of all God has done for you this past year. Remember the Bible says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Thank Him and praise Him for each and every thing and break it out again and again! Repetition is the key to remembrance.

Prayer Guide

1. Remember God’s Faithfulness

“Lord, I thank You for how You have been faithful to me.”

Name specific moments where God provided, healed, guided, or sustained you.

2. Release the Past

“Jesus, I surrender what I keep carrying that You have already forgiven or redeemed.”

Silently offer past failures, regrets, wounds, or even past successes.

3. Receive God’s Grace

“Help me live today defined by Your grace, not my history.”

Ask God to renew your mind and refocus your heart. Ask Him to help you forget the things you should and remember what He has done.

4. Press Forward

“Give me strength to pursue You with freedom and confidence.”

Pray for courage and clarity for what God is calling you into now.

Journal Reflection Questions on What God Has Done

What is one way God has shown faithfulness in my past that I need to remember today?

What memory or season do I need to release to God, trusting His grace?

How has holding onto the past affected my joy or obedience?

What does “pressing forward” look like in my life right now?

How does remembering Jesus reshape how I see my past?