Short-Term Memory

Mark 8:18
“Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?”

One of the greatest reasons people get discouraged in the Christian life is because of their short-term memory. When they face a great problem, they often become discouraged or disheartened because they don’t know how they are going to make it through whatever they are facing, even though God had provided for them before. The cause is a short-term memory.

Even the disciples were guilty of short-term memory. In the verse above, Jesus responded to the disciples questioning His statement about the leaven of the Pharisees. They thought that Jesus was using the discussion about the leaven of the Pharisees as a code conversation to tell them that He was hungry. The disciples short-term memory caused them to forgot that Jesus had just fed the five thousand.

The children of Israel were also guilty of short-term memory. So often you read about the children of Israel murmuring in the wilderness about God’s lack of provision when He had just come through for them in their time of need. Sadly, these people had short-term memory; they quickly forgot to see the good things God had already given them.

Short-term memory reveals the Christian’s lack of faith. The only reason a Christian would question whether God could come through a situation they are facing is because of their lack of faith to believe that God could provide as He did in the past. Short-term memory always reveals one’s lack of faith because it reveals their inability to remember God’s bountiful blessings.

What is the cure for short-term memory? The verse above says the cure is to see, hear and remember. If you are going to cure your short-term memory, your must see all that God has given you. The only reason someone has short-term memory is because they stopped looking at all they have as God’s blessings on their life. When you look at everything you have, you can’t help but remember how God has blessed you tremendously in the past. The next time short-term memory plagues you, stop and look at how much God has blessed you with everything you have.

Moreover, you are going to cure short-term memory by listening to what God has done for others. One of the reasons I enjoy listening to testimonies in a church service is because I am reminded of what God is currently doing in the lives of others. It helps to cure my short-term memory when I hear that God is still working. When you listen to God’s blessings on others, it will help encourage you that He is capable of helping you in your time of need.

Furthermore, you are going to cure short-term memory by remembering what God has done for you in the past. Every time short-term memory seems to bother you, stop and take the time to remember how the LORD came through for you time and time again in the past. You cure your short-term memory of doubt by going back to your long-term memory and remembering how God came through for you in the past.

Christian, are you suffering from short-term memory? Let the see, hear and remember cure help you to overcome it the next time you are doubting God. If you’ll use this cure, your faith won’t struggle in your time of need.

Author: Allen Domelle