Aging Well
by Freda Jennings
“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon… They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.” Psalm 92:12,14
We’ve all heard the cliches about aging: “You’re as young [or old] as you feel.” “Age is just a number.” “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better.” “Seventy is the new 50.” Well-intentioned, perhaps, yet some people find those cliches to be patronizing and others even find them to be offensive. The reality is that as we grow older, we experience an increasing number of major life changes such as career transitions and retirement, an empty nest, loss of loved ones, changes in physical health and ability, loss of independence, and the list goes on. Coping with these life changes is difficult at any age and it’s natural to grieve the losses you experience.
The definition of aging is simply the process of growing old. Since we begin aging from the time we are born, we cannot control this process. There are some physical and mental aspects of aging that become obvious over time. It is physically harder to get around, stamina decreases, hearing and eyesight fade. Mentally, short-term memory and thought processing speed become compromised for some. While these physical and mental aspects of aging can be very noticeable, the emotional and spiritual aspects of aging often go unnoticed and unaddressed. However, the emotional and spiritual aspects of aging are areas where we, as Christians, can grow in faith and perseverance. As Biblical counselor June Hunt says, “as the body ages physically, the spiritual life planted within will continuously bear beautiful blossoms.” We can be like a tree planted by streams of water bearing fruit in its season (Psalm 1:3).
Emotional Aspects of Aging
For many people, aging brings anxiety and fear. How will I take care of myself later in life? What if I lose my spouse? What is going to happen to my mind? Jesus tells us in Luke 12:22 not to worry about anything. He invites us to put our faith and trust in God’s provision and care, putting Him first, and asking Him for direction and peace, taking one day at a time. In Matthew 6:34, Jesus says “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Aging can also bring a sense of helplessness or feeling useless. In the book Aging with Grace, the author notes that the feeling of uselessness happens when a person’s life is centered around what they are doing, rather than who they are becoming. The author continues, “The calling to glorify God transcends place, time, circumstance, and age.” According to June Hunt, “Positive emotions come with emotional maturity – they are a by-product of being Spirit-led rather than being emotionally led.” In short, there is no room for hopelessness to take up residence in our heart.
Spiritual Aspects of Aging
Many older people can identify with the psalmist’s plea, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.” (Psalm 71:9). Don’t forget me! Older people often feel that because they lack youthfulness, they can’t serve God and will be cast aside. In Psalm 92:14, God says His people “shall still bear fruit in old age”. Older believers have a lifetime of wisdom and valuable life experience. As believers, we are called to continue to grow spiritually and make a difference for God. There may be many things we can no longer do as we age, but fulfilling our purpose to glorify God is not one of them. We are made to know God. He knows us and the plans He has for our life (Jeremiah 29:11), not just for youth, or middle age, but for our entire life (Lamentations 29:11)! Another temptation when growing older is to withdraw; however, we thrive when we gather together with God’s people, because He is there. In Hebrews 10:25, the author encourages us to stay close to God’s people: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” When dealing with the harsh reality of growing older means gathering with other believers is difficult, we can still pray to God and read His Word. This helps us become aware of His presence and His faithfulness in keeping His promises. Christ is our faithful Father, our Comforter. Praising the Lord with gratitude for all He has done is key, even if we have to intentionally change our focus from negative to positive. God is not afraid of our questions. Take time to write out your fears and then ask God for answers. Ask Him to remind you of His past faithfulness. Take stock of your blessings and write them down.
Aging is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to tie people to their rocking chairs. While we cannot control some of the physical and mental aspects of aging, we can control our mindset and attitude as we age. Healthy aging may mean finding new things you enjoy, staying physically and socially active, and feeling connected to your community, your church, and your loved ones. By balancing your sense of loss with these positive factors, you can stay healthy and continue to reinvent yourself as you pass through landmark ages of 60, 70, 80, and beyond. In Psalm 91: 2 we read, “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Our Christian hope is that we’re going to live with Christ, where there is no more death, and where life is what it was always meant to be. But until then, we have a purpose to glorify, serve and praise the One who made us, who redeemed us, and who promises to be with us until the end of the age. As sung in the song Start With Well Done, “When this life is over and the next one’s begun, I want it to start with ‘well done’.”
Source: Betters, Sharon & Hunt, Susan. Aging with Grace: Flourishing In An Anti-Aging Culture. Crossway, 2021.
Source: Hunt, June. Aging Well: Living Long & Finishing Strong. Hope For The Heart, 2020.
We’ve all heard the cliches about aging: “You’re as young [or old] as you feel.” “Age is just a number.” “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better.” “Seventy is the new 50.” Well-intentioned, perhaps, yet some people find those cliches to be patronizing and others even find them to be offensive. The reality is that as we grow older, we experience an increasing number of major life changes such as career transitions and retirement, an empty nest, loss of loved ones, changes in physical health and ability, loss of independence, and the list goes on. Coping with these life changes is difficult at any age and it’s natural to grieve the losses you experience.
The definition of aging is simply the process of growing old. Since we begin aging from the time we are born, we cannot control this process. There are some physical and mental aspects of aging that become obvious over time. It is physically harder to get around, stamina decreases, hearing and eyesight fade. Mentally, short-term memory and thought processing speed become compromised for some. While these physical and mental aspects of aging can be very noticeable, the emotional and spiritual aspects of aging often go unnoticed and unaddressed. However, the emotional and spiritual aspects of aging are areas where we, as Christians, can grow in faith and perseverance. As Biblical counselor June Hunt says, “as the body ages physically, the spiritual life planted within will continuously bear beautiful blossoms.” We can be like a tree planted by streams of water bearing fruit in its season (Psalm 1:3).
Emotional Aspects of Aging
For many people, aging brings anxiety and fear. How will I take care of myself later in life? What if I lose my spouse? What is going to happen to my mind? Jesus tells us in Luke 12:22 not to worry about anything. He invites us to put our faith and trust in God’s provision and care, putting Him first, and asking Him for direction and peace, taking one day at a time. In Matthew 6:34, Jesus says “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Aging can also bring a sense of helplessness or feeling useless. In the book Aging with Grace, the author notes that the feeling of uselessness happens when a person’s life is centered around what they are doing, rather than who they are becoming. The author continues, “The calling to glorify God transcends place, time, circumstance, and age.” According to June Hunt, “Positive emotions come with emotional maturity – they are a by-product of being Spirit-led rather than being emotionally led.” In short, there is no room for hopelessness to take up residence in our heart.
Spiritual Aspects of Aging
Many older people can identify with the psalmist’s plea, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.” (Psalm 71:9). Don’t forget me! Older people often feel that because they lack youthfulness, they can’t serve God and will be cast aside. In Psalm 92:14, God says His people “shall still bear fruit in old age”. Older believers have a lifetime of wisdom and valuable life experience. As believers, we are called to continue to grow spiritually and make a difference for God. There may be many things we can no longer do as we age, but fulfilling our purpose to glorify God is not one of them. We are made to know God. He knows us and the plans He has for our life (Jeremiah 29:11), not just for youth, or middle age, but for our entire life (Lamentations 29:11)! Another temptation when growing older is to withdraw; however, we thrive when we gather together with God’s people, because He is there. In Hebrews 10:25, the author encourages us to stay close to God’s people: “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” When dealing with the harsh reality of growing older means gathering with other believers is difficult, we can still pray to God and read His Word. This helps us become aware of His presence and His faithfulness in keeping His promises. Christ is our faithful Father, our Comforter. Praising the Lord with gratitude for all He has done is key, even if we have to intentionally change our focus from negative to positive. God is not afraid of our questions. Take time to write out your fears and then ask God for answers. Ask Him to remind you of His past faithfulness. Take stock of your blessings and write them down.
Aging is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to tie people to their rocking chairs. While we cannot control some of the physical and mental aspects of aging, we can control our mindset and attitude as we age. Healthy aging may mean finding new things you enjoy, staying physically and socially active, and feeling connected to your community, your church, and your loved ones. By balancing your sense of loss with these positive factors, you can stay healthy and continue to reinvent yourself as you pass through landmark ages of 60, 70, 80, and beyond. In Psalm 91: 2 we read, “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Our Christian hope is that we’re going to live with Christ, where there is no more death, and where life is what it was always meant to be. But until then, we have a purpose to glorify, serve and praise the One who made us, who redeemed us, and who promises to be with us until the end of the age. As sung in the song Start With Well Done, “When this life is over and the next one’s begun, I want it to start with ‘well done’.”
Source: Betters, Sharon & Hunt, Susan. Aging with Grace: Flourishing In An Anti-Aging Culture. Crossway, 2021.
Source: Hunt, June. Aging Well: Living Long & Finishing Strong. Hope For The Heart, 2020.