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I hate getting old! Don’t you? None of us enjoy reduced energy, gray hairs, wrinkles, dry skin, achy joints, sleepless nights, or the other reminders that our bodies aren’t what they used to be. |
Several years ago, I went through a very difficult season physically. After my fourth back surgery, I struggled with debilitating pain and wondered what the future held. Today, by God’s grace, I’m doing much better—I can even hike again! Yet the lessons He taught me during that season are just as true today as they were then.
Even when our health improves, getting older still brings losses. Sometimes it’s hard not to complain or mourn the things we can no longer do as easily as we once did. And, of course, the older we get, the more we are reminded of our mortality. Yet getting older is part of God’s design for this life, and we do well to accept it with grace.
Contrary to what many believe, complaining doesn’t help. I’m not saying discussing a problem with a friend or spouse is wrong if we are trying to come to terms with it. But if we are only venting, it discourages others, displeases God, and only adds to our misery!
So what’s a child of the King to do?!
How do we avoid becoming overwhelmed and turning into grumpy old men and women?
I believe the first thing you and I need to do is change our perspective on the inevitability of getting older. The way we look at things greatly affects how we feel.
During that difficult season of chronic pain, I often found myself lying awake in the wee hours of the night, lamenting that the quality of my life was diminishing. One night, my kind Lord graciously reminded me of something…
Although the quality of my physical life was declining, the quality of my spiritual life didn’t have to.
In fact, it could continue to grow richer and deeper as long as I kept my focus on Christ. That’s what Paul was talking about in 2 Cor 4:16-18.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Look what God says to those who are living for Him…
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Is 46:4, emphasis added)
In order to be productive and have rich, meaningful lives up until the day we die, we need to remain in a right relationship with God and intentionally focus on what flows from that relationship.
To keep the right perspective on growing older, focus on what we gain as we grow older with the Lord:
- Increased wisdom which we can pass on
- Increased intimacy with the Lord
- Increased faith
- A lifetime of seeing God’s faithfulness (Ps 37:25)
- More opportunities to look back and see God’s hand at work in our lives
- More testimonies of answered prayers to share
- One day closer to seeing Jesus and all the bliss of heaven
- A greater appreciation of everything—every minute, every breath, every person, every experience
- A greater sense of urgency to make every day count—to love people well, serve the Lord faithfully, and proclaim His Name while we still have the opportunity.
So my friends, if you and I are growing in our relationship with God and keeping the right perspective on getting old, we will impact more people positively and give God more glory with our lives. This increases our joy, and puts a smile on the face of God.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Ps 92:12-15)
Helpful Resources
How Do You Change Your Perspective?
Learning How to Be Content series
The Wonderful Cycle of Knowing God
365 Days of Gratitude:
Keeping Your Gratitude Fresh and Overflowing Everyday
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All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV. ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.