Note: This blog post is supplementary to the third podcast of the fall season titled: Thriving in God’s Abundance.
I’m currently in an oil painting class focused on realism, and my instructor frequently mentions the importance of muscle memory. This is why he requires us to do so many gray scale paintings (sigh) before we can move onto color. Developing muscle memory builds a foundation in painting.
Developing our muscle memory is also foundational in our faith walk.
In I Peter 5:7, the word “cast” points to muscle memory, as if when the enemy attacks us with anything that may bring us fear or anxiety, we need to practice casting it, literally tossing it to the Lord. With practice, this casting can become almost like a reflex for us as believers. We are to put our trust in God. When we stumble into fear, we are lacking faith.
Fear is the opposite of faith.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
The Mountain of Anxiety:
In today’s culture fear and anxiety are on the rise. As believers, we are called to be light in a dark world. If we are filled with fear and anxiety over our circumstances, how can we be that light? Furthermore, fear and anxiety prevent us from thriving in God’s abundance.
In today’s blog post I’d like to expand on what was discussed and provide practical steps to surrender our anxieties to God while growing our faith in His Almighty power.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
I Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
Practical Steps to Grow a Muscle Memory of Faith:
1. Meet with the Father daily. Learn how to Abide.
For you to grow in your faith in God, you must spend time getting to know who He is by reading the Bible and through prayer. If you’re not practicing this daily, I encourage you to try. We offer a podcast series where I’ve gathered a group of women around a table for a discussion-style study called, Abiding in the Vine. The workbook link is also available there.
By putting God first in the morning, you’re preparing your mind for the day. God may impress something on your heart that day or week, so you’re not blindsided by anxiety when it happens.
2. Meditate On and Memorize His Word
Ponder those Bible verses that deal with fear and anxiety. Place these scriptures in areas of your home or office that will help remind you to caste your fears on Him.
3. Be sober-minded
We discussed the three areas of soberness we must be mindful of on the podcast, physically sober, mentally sober, and emotionally sober.
In order to understand the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we must be physically sober. If we drink, we must ask ourselves can I partake of this and still be sober minded? Can I drink wine with self-control and know when to stop?
Be mentally sober by being calm and not overreacting to situations or engaging in quarrels–not hot-tempered.
Be sober-minded in your humility.Understand who God is and have a healthy attitude to who you are in relation to God and man. We are not to be swelled-headed or puffed up with pride.
4. Practice denying the flesh.
Regularly strengthen your spirit by denying your flesh. Utilize prayer and fasting for a season. Identify those things we turn to in times of anxiety that give us comfort and give them up for a time period, and turn to God instead.
5. Identify areas where you’ve invited the enemy into your home.
What movies are you watching? Binge series? Books? What music are you listening to? Ask God to reveal to you what you need to surrender to His authority.
6. Set your hope fully on the grace of Jesus Christ.
Know you have no hope of true joy and peace apart from Jesus Christ. Set your hope full on God’s grace through Jesus Christ by praying over your anxieties and fears, meditating on His promises, and trusting in His Sovereignty.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 (ESV)
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.”
Mark 1:35 (Jesus, ESV)
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11 (ESV)
Soberness of the Flesh:
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
Soberness of the Emotions:
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” Ephesians 4:31 (ESV)
Soberness of the Mind:
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:3 (ESV)
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 (ESV)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
Let’s all work on developing our muscle memory regarding our faith. Today’s Building Our Muscle Memory of Faith is the third podcast in our fall series titled, “Thriving in God’s Abundance.”
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Tammy Carter Adams is the host of The Hallelujah House podcast. She resides in Central Florida with her husband Jay and four children. When she is not creating content for THH, she enjoys writing and painting in her home studio and spending time with her family.
Photo credit: Istock photos: nortonrsx/ 1803841328
