We all suffer from lethologica and lethonomia from time to time. It’s distressing and frustrating when it happens. It would seem that the problem is incurable, and it tends to worsen with age. If it happens often, you might need to see a doctor because lethologica or lethonomia might be an indicator of more serious issues. What are these ailments ?
Lethologica: A.K.A. tip-of-the-tongue syndrome. It’s the inability to recall the right word.
Lethonomia: This is the inability to recall a person’s name.1
As I said, this happens to everyone. You can guess a person’s age by how often these phenomena happen. Young people might experience this weekly. Older people will experience it daily.2 Typically, this mental block is resolved by not thinking about what you forgot. Out of the blue and without warning, the missing word or name just pops into our heads.
“Some researchers view tip-of-the-tongue moments as a “unique form of memory success.” They are clues to the information we seek and a sign that some sort of memory exists as opposed to the memory not being there at all.
“Others suggest that this phenomenon signals a decline in memory retrieval. According to one study, experiencing tip-of-the-tongue states may even help predict diseases causing cognitive impairment, including dementia.
“Still other researchers say that these moments are less about memory and more about the learning process. In a 2015 study published in the journal Cognition, researchers noted that the recurrence of the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon is possibly a result of implicit learning, which involves the learning of complex information in incidental ways without any awareness that it has been learned.”3
Since the experts and researchers are unsure as to whether this is a positive, negative, or just normal occurrence, should you have a lethologica or lethonomia moment, don’t panic. Take it in stride, especially if the missing information strikes you like a lightening bolt at the least expected moment. If it never does and this becomes a habit, it might be time to get checked out just to be safe.
We know that God is omniscient. He forgets nothing. Someone might say, “Well, the Bible says that He forgets our sins.” That’s not what the Scripture says. Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” God makes a choice to not remember our sins against us. That’s not the same as forgetting.
Here’s three more important things God never forgets.
God never forgets His PEOPLE. Luke 12:6-7 uses the sparrows as a comparison for how God cares about us and never forgets any of His children. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? (7) But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
God never forgets His PROMISES. Psalms 105:8 says, “He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.” We are constantly reminded in Scripture that God’s Word stands forever. What He has said He would do, He will be faithful to complete it. Not one of His promises will fail.
God never forgets our PERFORMANCE. Hebrews 6:10 reminds us, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” All we’ve done in life will be examined at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Reward will be given for that which was 
done for the Lord while a loss of reward will be experienced for that which was done for self.
Can we trust the Lord to never forget? Be encouraged today with Joshua 23:14. “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”
1https://www.dictionary.com/e/tip-of-the-tongue/
2https://www.verywellmind.com/lethologica-tip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon-4154947
3Ibid.
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