Will We Remember Everything in Heaven—Even the Bad Things?

Will we remember everything in heaven—even the bad things?

In speaking to folks, I was surprised to hear that many think God will blot out all of our bad memories in heaven. However, the Bible doesn’t say that. It says that God will wipe away all our tears and pain, not that He would remove our memories.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Rev 21:1, 3-5)

But how is it possible not to be sad in heaven if we remember the cancer that took our loved one’s life? Or that abuse which we experienced as a child? Or those drugs which killed our prodigal son? Or the terror of 9/11? I think we won’t be sad because we will have a new perspective, and greater clarity of God’s character and ways.

I believe:

We will see the eternal good fruit God produced from what we thought was bad—the souls that were saved, the faith building of our church family, and the spiritual growth of ourselves and others—just to name a few.
We will be consoled with God’s justice because we’ll know unrepentant evil men are receiving their ‘just/fair punishment.
We will marvel at the unbelievable extent of God’s mercy when we see repentant evil men in heaven.
We will be amazed how God’s mercy covers all of our wicked sins.
We will see His unbelievable patience and long-suffering with us during those times when we refused to submit.

Think about it for a moment. How could you praise God for all the fruit He produced through one of your tragedies if God erased it from your memory?

I don’t want to forget all that God has done (and is doing) through the cancer and death of my soulmate 15 years ago! I don’t want to forget how my sister-in-law got saved, or how many were encouraged because of the joy God gave us in the midst of such heartache. I don’t want to forget the countless times God rescued me, protected me, comforted me in the wee hours of the night when grief nearly consumed me. I never want to forget the sense of His presence, when I felt all alone.

Without remembering specifics, my worship in heaven would be just one general vague alleluia. How does God get glory in that?!

No, I don’t believe God will wipe away any of those horrible memories. Instead, we will praise Him and be eternally grateful for all He has done through every single heartbreaking event. It is against the backdrop of the negative and evil that we can really see the goodness and beauty of our God!

Our memory won’t be erased but perfected!

The wonderful thing is—we don’t have to wait till we get to heaven. We can start now, with His help, to change our perspective and see things in light of eternity.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Rom 8:18)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

In heaven we will see the front side of the beautiful tapestry God is weaving. I think part of our joy in heaven will be discussing with one another how all of those ugly knots and once-confusing threads could made such a glorious tapestry.

Oh Lord, wipe away our tears, but not our memories!