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Muscle memory…. The more we repeatedly use something the more effectively our brain learns to use those muscles.
I wonder if that is why they phrase “it’s like riding a bike” means so much. We practice and practice at it, so we don’t fall. We learn to get our balance and then we can stay up on the bike for as long as we want.
Then even after years of not riding a bike we can get on one and ride it like we always did…
1 Timothy 4:8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
We need to remember that we are all working on strengthening our muscle memory when it comes to walking with Christ. There is a lot to unlearn and heal and grow in. So that is why we go to the Word and to God in prayer to strengthen our muscle memory.
Colossians 3:12-15 - Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Every morning I get coffee and I always will pick up my cup of water with my left hand and my coffee in my right hand because I don’t trust my left hand to carry my hot coffee, but it is ok if I spill my water on me because it won’t burn me.
I just have not used my left hand in some things to be confident in using it. The muscle memory isn’t there, like it is in my right hand.
I had the same issue when learning how to play the piano. My right hand does great, but my left hand can’t keep up. When I practiced it became easier but now that I am out of practice it is difficult to play the piano with both my hands as the same time.
To correct bad muscle memory, you need to replace it. Retraining our minds also requires active engagement of them.
Before you came to Jesus, what occupied your mind? What thought patterns were ground into your brain from all that you spent time dwelling on? How about your day: if you were to look at your calendar, what were the top three activities? What did you read? What images filled your eyes? Who did you hang out with, and what was your speech like? The list goes on. Recent studies on how our brain works reinforce this idea.
Sometimes when people meet Jesus, he at times instantly removes a pattern of sin. But I also know that he does not remove all the patterns of sin. God does not wave a magic wand and make you perfect.
Practice is what in needed....redundancy in order for it become easier.
Colossians 2:6-7 - And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Muscle memory is not a memory stored in your muscles, but your brain. Your brain memorizes the sequence, the procedure, that your body goes through to bring about any number of outcomes. It can help you become terribly good—or terribly bad. “Practice makes perfect” —but only if you are practicing well. Your muscle memory doesn’t judge whether your result is good, only if it is consistent.
Get into the word for this month and lets see if it becomes easier and your muscle memory starts working and getting into the Word isn't so much a task but a wanting or need.