Have you ever looked through old photos of yourself as a baby? You with chubby cheeks, spaghetti sauce all over your face, or crying at your first haircut. It’s fun to look back, isn’t it? Families keep photo albums, scrapbooks, and boxes full of old stuff because remembering matters.

God thinks remembering matters too. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God stopped the water so they could walk across on dry ground. Then God told Joshua to have twelve men each pick up a big stone from the middle of the river and stack them into a pile. Why? So that one day, when kids asked, “What are these stones for?” their parents could say, “That’s where God did something amazing for us” (Joshua 4:6-7).

The writer of Psalm 42 was feeling really down. His soul was “cast down,” which means he felt sad and discouraged. But he did something smart. He started remembering all the times God had helped him before.

You can do that too. When you’re feeling sad or worried, think back. Remember when God helped you through that scary doctor’s appointment? Or when He answered your prayer about a friend? Or when you were nervous on the first day of school and it turned out okay? If God helped you then, He’ll help you now. Don’t forget!

Take Action: Make your own memory stone, like the Israelites who crossed the Jordan! Find a smooth rock (or use an index card if you can’t find one). With a permanent marker, write one word or a short phrase about a time God helped you, like “new school” or “Grandma’s surgery.” Put it somewhere you’ll see it. Every time you notice it, remember what God did.