“And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth a witness to my face.” Job 16:8
“My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.” Job 19:20
Atrophy is a disease that was found in the Bible and is still referred to as such. The types of atrophy are several and they vary between internal types and external types; however, the type that will be discussed here is muscle atrophy. In a general way, atrophy is similar to leprosy because, like leprosy, it is a wasting away of muscle, nerves, etc., but that is where the similarities end. In the biblical reference to atrophy, no name is actually given, but today modern science has coined it with the term “atrophy”.
“Muscle atrophy is the wasting or loss of muscle tissue” (Ron Jonk—Muscle Atrophy). This is one kind of atrophy, but even this kind can be divided further into two different categories. The first kind of muscle atrophy occurs because of the disuse of that particular muscle; it is most likely to occur with those who lead a sedentary lifestyle or who are bedridden. This kind, however, can be treated and fixed simply by exercising. The second kind occurs more suddenly than the first and is more severe, and is called neurogenic atrophy. This kind “occurs when there is an injury to, or disease of, a nerve that connects to the muscle.” Ron Jonk—Muscle Atrophy
The signs and symptoms of this disease are few as the first kind is a degenerative disease that is characterized—for lack of a better term—by a flabby appearance. As for the second kind, it comes suddenly, so there can be no signs. However, for the first kind, an individual would know that the longer they spent being sedentary or bedridden, the higher their likelihood of developing muscle atrophy. As well, over time they would begin to notice their muscle looking “saggy” and wasted, and eventually that muscle would not work as well or as efficiently as it once did.
“Decreased blood supply and diminished nutrition occur in inactive tissues. After some months, fragmentation and disappearance of the muscle fibres occurs with some replacement by fat cells and a loose network of connective tissue. Some contracture may result” (Whole Body Atrophy— Britannica Online Encyclopedia). From this statement it can be gathered that although there is not a lot of obvious physical symptoms, underneath the surface there is a lot happening. Firstly, two vital needs are decreased; the blood supply and nutrition to the muscle tissue. A lack of both of those would greatly decrease the strength in the already degenerating muscle. The rest of the muscle continues to degrade, as well as the muscle fibres disappear and are replaced by fat cells; so not only is the muscle gone but it is now doubly worse. Lastly it says that “contracture may result” (Whole Body Atrophy—Britannica Online Encyclopedia). Contracture is another form of degradation in the muscle. The dictionary defines it as “a permanent shortening (as of muscle, tendon, or scar tissue) producing deformity or distortion” (Contracture—Definition and More, Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary). So, although this disease appears to be only a problem of physical appearance it goes literally much deeper than that; it weakens the entire structure of the muscle, right down to the cells.
This particular disease can be compared to a great many spiritual references. One of them could be similar to the parable found in Matthew 25:14–30; atrophy is generally caused by a disuse of the muscles and in turn they waste away. If God has given us talents to use and instead we keep them hidden, then He will take them from us and instead our talents will go to waste. Another way in which atrophy is similar to a spiritual state is when it comes to prayer and communion with God. As sinful human beings we constantly need to be taking advantage of the privilege of prayer, otherwise we will fail. As it says in Steps to Christ, “It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected.” If we fail to use this privilege, then God will not only take it away from us, but our soul will fail to “flourish,” which means that that it will spiritually wither and die. And yet another analogy can be found when we compare atrophy to the parable in John 15:1–8; here it compares humans to the branches and Jesus to the vine. In verse five it says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” When our muscles aren’t being used they waste away and become useless to us and become dead weight. So it is with the vine and the branch; if we are not connected with Jesus and if we are exercising our Christian muscles by everyday trying our best, then we will spiritually waste away, and we will simply be dead weight on that vine and we will have to be cut off.
Many diseases are caused by our own sin, or by our neglect of our body, and atrophy is no exception. The disuse of the muscle leads to the degeneration and possible contracture of it, and to an unhealthy muscle structure. In a similar way our Christian lives can be compared to this. If we do not exercise our spiritual muscles they will waste away, and we will simply become dead weight that will have to be cut off. It is therefore best that we exercise our talents, our strengths, our minds, and our hearts for Jesus, that He may never call us unfaithful servants.
Nidia Casandra Romero
References
Http://www.euronet.nl/~jonkr/, Ron Jonk-. “Muscle Atrophy.” University of Maryland Medical Center | Home. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003188.htm
“Atrophy (pathology) :: Whole Body Atrophy. — Britannica Online Encyclopedia.”Encyclopedia – Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/42011/atrophy/456/Whole-body-atrophy
“Contracture – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary.”Dictionary and Thesaurus – Merriam-Webster Online. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contracture
White, Ellen Gould Harmon. Steps to Christ. Grantham: Stanborough, 2007. Print.