Dealing with difficult memories must be one of the most challenging things we have to do as human beings. It can be really tough when past pain enters our present and affects the way we function today. On the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning there was a fascinating piece about this issue where two researchers presented their findings.

The first was a scientist from Oxford University who had come to the conclusion that the first six hours following an event are crucial as to how the memory of that event lodges in the brain. She suggested that during that period if we can divert that part of the brain which deals with memory then the memory of the event will be less vivid and will have less of an impact in the future. In trials they showed a traumatic event on video to participants and then had some of them play the computer game Tetris while the others did nothing. Because playing Tetris uses the same part of the brain that deals with memories then the brain is diverted from its task of storing the event and thus dulls the memory of the event.

The second scientist was an American who has been developing a drug that erases memories. In a study with rats an electric shock is given to the animal and then the drug is administered. The scientist claims that the rat has no memory of the shock. (How this is tested I’ve no idea, but lets take his word for it.)

The benefits of such work if it develops are significant. Think only of the trauma faced by the troops in Afghanistan at the moment and how many of them return home with post traumatic stress disorder which blights their lives. Erasing such memories would make such an impact upon them and many other people who have suffered all kinds of difficult events in their past.

But are there negatives to this potential? I believe there are. As humans, are not our memories – good and bad – a part of what makes us what we are? Do they not have an essential part to play in defining and shaping our character? Indeed, could it be argued that having memories is even an aspect of God’s image in us? The central aspect of that image is surely the ability and desire to relate, but an important aspect of relating is the shared memories we have with others. In Scripture we are also called upon to recall God’s goodness to us. This is not just remembering the good times with God but also the times when life was really tough and we are thankful that God pulled us through. The memories of such occasions can be very painful but at the same time they are altars of worship as we recall the love of God that strengthened us.

Memory is history. And the ability to remember and understand history is a crucial aspect of human life. There is an adage that says that history teaches us that history teaches us nothing, and undoubtedly there is truth in that. But the importance of having history that truly reflects the past is immense. If it were not so then China would not be blocking search results for Tiananmen on Google today. And it is not for nothing that many countries have made Holocaust denial a criminal offence. Humanity without history is not desirable, and may not be humanity at all.

But all of this leaves us with painful memories. And that also is not good. Many – and I have to include myself in this – have had their lives blighted by the memory of traumatic events in their past. They in turn have gone on to blight the lives of others for it is also a truism that hurt people hurt people. Is there an answer? There is. All memories are containers of emotion. They may contain a negative emotion like fear or anger; or they may be positive. And it is the emotion contained in yesterday’s memory container that blights today’s life. For me certain events filled me with anger, frustration and fear. And they regularly spilled out forty years after the event. The answer then is not to erase the memory but to change the emotion. Now I know of no drug that can do this yet and some forms of therapy may come close. But my experience is that through the work of the Holy Spirit the negative emotions can be removed. The ministry tool that has been of most benefit to me is called Theophostic – where the light and truth of God (theos – phosos) is poured into the container and changes what is inside it. I am left with the memories but they no longer cause me the pain.

Memories are powerful. And harmful and destructive. Erasing them would greatly benefit many lives and yet those lives would loose a part of their past. I am convinced that God wants us to keep our memories and be healed of the pain they caused.