Our oldest daughter Kyla, who is in her freshman year of college, is taking a psychology course this semester. Last evening, she talked to me about one of the interesting things she learned in class.

Her professor shared the story of a man with short-term memory loss. Every time he experiences something, he forgets it within about 30 seconds. His name is Clive Wearing and his condition is caused by damage to an area of his brain known as the hippocampus.

Clive always thinks he’s doing something for the first time, even though he has done it many times before. But his mind won’t let him call the memory forth. However, the one thing he remembers 100% of the time, is his wife and his love for her. Each time he sees her, Clive gets so excited, because he usually thinks he hasn’t seen her in years.

There was another man like him named Henry Molaison. His hippocampus damage happened during a surgery to cure Henry’s epilepsy. Although his seizures were fewer after the operation, his memory was forever ruined.

In the natural, disease, trauma or a botched procedure can cause memory loss. In life, traumatic incidents, stress and hurtful circumstances can cause memory loss, too. In the midst of the storm, the trial, the setback, the heartache, the chaos, the frenzy, we forget God’s power. We lose our memory of how He brought us out before and therefore, we have no confidence that He’ll do it again.

But we cannot afford to have spiritual hippocampus damage and memory loss when we’re going through. We must be like David in 1 Samuel 17:34-37. When time came to fight the Philistine giant Goliath, who everyone was scared of, David wasn’t afraid. Why? Because David, who had a healthy hippocampus, relied on his memory.

He mentally went back over his life and reexamined his history. David’s brain took him back to his days as a shepherd in the field. Before this opportunity to defend Israel against a bullying giant presented itself, he was fighting off the attacks of wild animals to protect his sheep.

When King Saul tried to give David a bunch of armor to put on, David had to explain to him why he didn’t need manmade protection. He had to give the king clarity about why he was comfortable using only a slingshot and five smooth stones against such a strong and imposing enemy.

David told King Saul, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

See how David drew a comparison between his past and present? Even though the set of circumstances were not exactly the same, referencing history took away the mystery surrounding the outcome. Because David had already seen God strengthen him for war before, he knew the Lord would do it again.

Even though David had never specifically fought that giant, he had faced and defeated other ones. This new battle may have introduced him to what seemed like a greater adversary, but David had the greatest advocate of all on his side.

And so do you! So what if the circumstances and the odds are against you. Who cares that Satan, who the Bible styles as a roaring lion, is trying to scare and intimidate you?

Think back over your life. Pull up memories. Consider previous times when you were in trouble and God rescued you; when you were sick and He healed you; when you were in distress and He comforted you; when you were lost and He found you; when you were lacking and He provided for you; when you messed up and He forgave you; when you were attacked and He fought for you; when you were lied on and He vindicated you; when it looked hopeless and He gave you the victory anyway; when you were in unfavorable conditions and He yet favored you.

You serve the same God. Just as He did it before, He’s going to do it all over again. You might as well get ready. Prepare. Thank Him in advance.

To help you call to mind His wondrous works to fuel your expectation of a repeat victory, I’m stirring Psalm 77:11 CEV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, let your memory fuel your faith. Recall and meditate on the greatness of our God and His amazing track record. There is no failure in Him. He is never out of options. His all-surpassing power and wisdom never runs out. For every need you have, He has more than enough supply.

Don’t forget who He is and what He’s able to do. Your memory will give you the kind of disciplined faith and confidence you need to boldly march toward victory and divine destiny.

Now let’s pray.

God, I know You have brought me out many times before and You will do it again. So even though I may be facing new challenges, I will pull up old memories of all You have done and continue to place my confidence in Your faithfulness to fulfill Your word. I thank You in advance for manifestation and breakthrough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!

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