Defining Wounding Memories Reflecting on the conclusion of the year, Allen introduces the topic of wounding memories, which he defines as memories of past spiritual failures that invade our consciousness as we attempt to live in the present. These memories exert a subconscious influence on current decisions and actions. The speaker shares that he often experiences these “dark memories” during periods of wakefulness at night, noting that even those from decades ago can remain a “great hindrance”.

The Impact of Trauma and PTSD Drawing on his experience as an attorney, the speaker connects these spiritual struggles to post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). He recalls a childhood memory from Elk City, Oklahoma, where his father served as a preacher. A woman in the church sought counsel because her husband, a World War II veteran, would go on drinking binges and become violent. The speaker notes that the veteran’s actions were likely a result of the trauma he experienced during hand-to-hand combat, using alcohol as a release from the visions of the men he had killed. He observes that such failures often cause people to retreat from full service in the church.

Biblical Examples of Overcoming Failure The speaker argues that even the “finest Heroes of the Bible” lived with severe wounding memories. He highlights three primary examples:

• The Apostle Peter: Peter suffered from the memory of denying Jesus three times during the events of the cross. This failure is so significant that it is recorded in all four Gospels, ensuring the entire church would know of his denial,,. Despite the “impact of that look” Jesus gave Peter after the third denial, Peter was eventually restored to serve mightily,.
• The Apostle Paul: Formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, Paul lived with the memory of approving the stoning of Stephen and violently persecuting the early church,. Paul described himself as a “blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man,” yet he was shown mercy because he acted in ignorance and unbelief,.
• King David: David carried the wounding memory of his adultery with Bathsheba and the conspiracy to kill her husband, Uriah the Hittite,. The speaker suggests that the subsequent rebellions within David’s own family served as constant reminders of his failure.

Finding Restoration To cope with these memories, the speaker recommends Psalm 51, which David wrote to seek God’s mercy and a “clean heart”,,. He emphasizes that if God could use Peter, Paul, and David despite their profound failures, He can also use believers today,.

Conclusion and Invitation The speaker concludes with advice from Allen Isbell: “Do not forget what is best remembered or remember what is best forgotten”. He encourages the congregation to pray for the strength to forget past failures so they can serve God better. The service ends with an invitation to baptism or prayer during the singing of a hymn,.