What Do You Remember?

Do you remember that he broke your heart or that God healed it?
Do you remember that she was sick or that she's well?
Do you remember that you went without or that now you have plenty?
Do you remember being tired or when you finally rested?
Do you remember that you were bound or that you were freed?
Do you remember that you messed up or that you're forgiven?
Do you remember being hungry or getting fed?
Do you remember how hard you worked or where you eventually got?
Do you remember being broken or that the pieces were put back together?
Do you remember all the times you failed or the one you succeeded?
Do you remember what it cost or just that you now smile?
Do you remember how you got there or where you are?

There are people who will tell you that the key to peace and joy are to "remember the good times." No offense to those people, but they are liars. Remembering only the good makes you forget what it cost to get there. And as soon as you forget, you start to expect things to be easy. You expect not to hurt, not to need, not to cry.

Peace and joy are found in what you remember. Don't fall into the trap of only remembering the good times. Remember what made you strong. Remember what taught you to stand a little taller. Remember what gave you courage and shaped your spirit. Remember what raised you up. Remember what gave you rest. Remember Who healed and forgave.

Go back to those things. Remember. And smile because if you did it then, you can do it again.