The online dictionary defines muscle memory as: “the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement.”.
That has proven true for me as I’ve been recovering from my hip replacement surgery. With God’s guidance, I began a 10-month regimen of exercises specifically aimed at strengthening the muscles involved with my hip. I made sure to carefully watch my form, so that I performed the exercises properly. My desire was for my recovery to be aided by these efforts.
God, in His amazing way, has done that for me! He has utilized the preparations I did to enhance my recovery. The PT people even commented that the advanced healing process is a testament to my preparations. I make sure they realize that God gets the glory, because He is the power behind my ability to do the preparations.
As I considered that, I realized that God had created muscle memory in my muscles!
Then I thought about how muscle memory should apply to my walk with the Lord, and who exemplified this in the Bible.
Consider Daniel. I believe he exemplified muscle memory when it came to his relationship with God.
In Daniel Chapter 1, he was challenged when the Babylonians were attempting to indoctrinate the Jewish guys into the Babylonian lifestyle, which would have meant changing allegiance to their gods. Daniel 1:8shows us what Daniel’s muscle memory of faith brought out in him: “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
In Daniel Chapter 2, when Daniel could have been tempted to take credit for the ability to interpreting the king’s dream, instead, he gave God credit for providing the king with the details of his dream, and its interpretation. Daniel 2:45 includes these words: “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future.” Many people claim the glory for themselves when doing something that brings praise their way. Daniel, however, had the spiritual strength to give God the glory. Daniel’s prayer life assisted in building his spiritual muscle memory, his frequent repetition of giving God credit aided in him being able to do this.
As you read through the rest of the book of Daniel, time and again he gives God the glory and credit for all the good things God does through him.
In Daniel 9:2-3, when Daniel realized the exile was about to end, his knee jerk reaction was to seek God immediately. “I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” Once again, Daniel’s muscle memory of prayerful dependence upon God kicked in and instead of running to people, or fear or panic, he seriously sought God.
We can be like Daniel. We can be people who create a foundation in our lives of muscle memory that causes us to react in a Godly manner.
I want my muscle memory (aka “knee jerk reaction”) to be God honoring so that the way I respond to awkward, hurtful, and all situations exalts His Holy Name, in the same way Daniel responded to the challenges he experienced.
I want my responses to reproduce Christ-likeness without conscious thought, because He has worked in me evidence of His Holy Spirit. I want my character to replicate the Lord Jesus.
I want my muscle memory to be running to God for help first in every situation, and not to people!
I want my muscle memory to be kindness, not unkind acts or thoughts.
I want my muscle memory to be selflessness, not selfishness.
I want my muscle memory to be generosity, not stinginess.
I want my muscle memory to be forgiveness, not bitterness or resentment.
I want my muscle memory to be faith not fear.
I want my muscle memory to be peace not panic.
I want my muscle memory to be joy for others, not jealousy or envy.
I want my muscle memory to be thoughts of God’s word, not man’s ways.
I want my muscle memory to be reliance upon God as I seek His guidance, instead of my plans.
I want my muscle memory to be whatever will exalt and honor God, and humble me!
I am so far from these goals, but God will help me as I continue to abide in Him.
How about you? What do you want in your relationship with God? What does your muscle memory, or knee jerk reaction, reveal about your character?
How do we build Godly muscle memory?
It begins with a true relationship with Jesus. This is not a religious experience, but a personal experience with Jesus. An experience that is based upon our humility and honesty, confessing that we are wretched sinners [I realize this more each day], and need Jesus’ amazing free gift of atonement.
This relationship results in assurance of my eternal destiny – to be with Jesus forever!
This relationship gives me hope as I encounter the evil of this world, the hurt that comes when family betray us, the challenges when we suffer unjustly, and all the hardships of living in this fallen world.
It is through this relationship, as I spend time every day reading, considering, and obeying God’s Word that the Holy Spirit builds Godly muscle memory in me, and He is able and willing to do this for you.
Will you cooperate with Him? Why or why not?
I’d be honored to talk to you about your spiritual muscle memory.
Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!
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Copyright 2022 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.