Remembrance Practices

Written by Kara Haselton

For years, I have moved through the world accompanied by a baseline of anxiety. But last Fall it spiked to an all-time high due to some health issues. I found myself worried and fearful of everything. Small things became big things. Rest became nearly impossible. I was lucky if 10% of my day was anxiety-free.

My prayer life was complicated because it was half genuinely seeking the Lord’s presence and half treating him like a vending machine– asking him to give me all the things and fix all the rest. And while my approach to the Lord wasn’t healthy, He showed up all the same.

The blessing of praying so much for such specific things is that you then get to see the Lord provide in such specific ways. 

But even when the Lord provided $8,000 through friends, community, and CARMAX to pay off a new car that broke down unexpectedly, I still get anxious when I’m running late due to traffic or learn that I have to pay more in taxes than I planned. 

There are several times that the Lord tells us to remember his words and commands, even by writing them on our heads or our hands: 

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart… Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.” Deuteronomy 8:2; 8:4 NIV

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:18-19 NIV

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; 

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12 NIV

The Christian artist Strahan has a prayer podcast called “Commoner’s Communion.” One of his prayers is titled “Remembrance is anxiety’s antidote.” And that was the exact phrasing I needed to guide me towards the lifeline that is remembrance practice.

Whenever anxiety rises, whenever the brokenness and unknowns of life shows up again, a list starts forming in my mind compiled of all the ways, big and small, the Lord has provided. Cue an anxious thought: My fiancé and I might not have money to afford the wedding we want.

Or

I don’t know what I’m going to fix for dinner. 

Okay, remember when the Lord provided for my car after months of uncertainty?

And He gave me confidence for that video shoot I was nervous about?

Remember when my computer shut down before I could save my five hours of work? The Lord resurrected it. 

Remember when I wanted to quit and then Lord provided new coworkers that now make my job more bearable?

And when that (unfair) parking ticket I got was waived?

Remember that one time when I, in passing, prayed that the Lord would provide schedule openings and opportunities to connect with my roommates? He did!

And the insurance I have fully covers the dietitian I need! 

And so the list goes on. Ever growing every day. 

In every impossible and unknown scenario, we often work tirelessly to plan and predict the outcome or solution. But what I’ve been taught recently is that God always has a new way, a secret third option that we can’t see. 

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV

How exciting it is to wait and finally uncover what that secret third option will be!

Thank you, Lord, for providing in the past and present. Because you have provided in the past and present, I know you will provide in the future.