Aging/Growing Older

Last week, I came across three people who were having a Birthday. While my response to that was “hey, that’s great… I hope it’s a great one!” Their reaction was not so enthusiastic. They both muttered responses such as “its sucks getting old” and “yea, I’m not looking forward to it at all.”

I guess I’m just a little more optimistic about growing old and moving on with life. I’d really have to say that’s all due to my belief in our Lord and the promises He has given me.

Nonetheless, I had immediately realized God’s signal and made the decision to speak about growing old at this week’s service.

A lot of the lessons today will be coming from Proverbs – The Wisdom of Solomon. I strongly suggest that, when time is available to you, take some time to read through Proverbs. You will find a lot of great lessons in there and, perhaps, begin to feel a little better about yourself.

What does the Bible say about growing old?

The Bible presents growing old as a normal, natural part of life in this world. There is honor involved in the aging process, because growing old is normally accompanied by increased wisdom and experience.

Proverbs 16:31 – “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.”

Proverbs 20:29 – “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.”

Job 12:12 – “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”

How many of us here can deny the fact of how much you’ve learned growing up? Can anyone here honestly say they’ve learned nothing and grown non-the-less wiser as we’ve aged. I myself, have learned plenty in this life.

We also need to remember that God has reminded us that life is short, as written in…

James 4:14 – “Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

…and the beauty of life is soon gone…

Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;”

1 Peter 1:24 – “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,”

The first thing we need to do is accept aging as part of God’s plan for our life, and thank him consistently for the gift of each passing day.

We’ve come to look on old age as something to be dreaded—and it’s true that it isn’t easy. I can’t honestly say that I like being old—not being able to do most of the things I used to do, for example, and being more dependent on others, and facing physical challenges that I know will only get worse.

Old age can be a lonely time also—children scattered, spouse and friends gone.

Learn to be Content with Accomplishments

We must learn to be content with ourselves and our relationship with God. We’ve all worked hard, struggled to get where we are today and we’re still here to carry out God’s plan.

1 Timothy 6:6 – “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

We have all been there… we have all been in need of something and worked hard to achieve our goals. Some were luckier than others and some still struggle. We should never envy our Brother nor should we be dissatisfied with who we are and what we have accomplished.

Philippians 4:12-13 – “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

…and let us never be addicted to the Love of money!

Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Pride in Your Accomplishments

As we grow older, never forget our accomplishments and all the things we’ve been through in this life and how they made us stronger. These are things to be proud of but remember your humility.

Proverbs 29:23 – “A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.”

Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Who has heard the Tim McGraw song “Humble and Kind?” My favorite line from that is “Let yourself feel the pride but always stay humble and kind.”

Continuing Being Yourself – Never Forgetting Your Youth

Sometimes as we grow older we try and change our personalities to “fit-in” with modern day society. Why would you want to do that? Haven’t you gotten to where you are just by being who you are? The Bible reminds us to be ourselves and focus on matters of the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 – “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’”

We need to careful and not consider what this world thinks as important and should guide our actions but, instead, remember that our only goal is to satisfy our Lord.

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

 Never Fear Death

The other thing that concerned me as I spoke to these individuals last week, was their deep-rooted fear of coming just that much closer to death.

Anyone that knows me, understands I have a much different view of this as I’ve spent a lot of time studying it, both in the Bible and through various research sites, after losing so many close friends and family.

One thing is for certain, Jesus Christ came to us in our humanity… as a man. He saw the ways of this world; he felt the temptation of the Devil and saw our fears of death.

Hebrews 2:14-15 – “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”

Death, as we believe it to be, is a threat of the Devil. Everlasting life, is the gift of God… and this is the final “resting place” that we should be looking forward to and not at all afraid.

My Dad found God again in his late 70’s early 80’s. I could always find him home on Sundays sitting in front of the TV in his trailer watching the Crystal Cathedral. He believed so much in the Kingdom of God he would boast about it through his last days on earth.

One story comes to mind when my brother brought my Dad to the hospital as he began the decline in his health. The nurse in the examining room was rather cranky when she asked my Father “Mr. Woods, does it burn when you urinate?” My Dad, first looking at my brother in curiosity then back at his nurse promptly relied with “Don’t know… ain’t never tried to light it!” The nurse, finally smiling asked him “How is it you’re in such good spirits?” to which my Father responded “Young lady, I’m gittin ready to shake hands with Jesus pretty soon… why wouldn’t I be happy?”

We should always be reminded of what I think is the most quoted verse in the Bible…

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 This, my Brothers and Sisters, is what God has promised us and what I truly do believe our reward is for living a Godly life and carrying out the will of The Father while we live in this world!

Go with God everyone… rejoice in your age and all that He has given you. Never forget your past and do not fear the future for God and His Angels walk beside you every day!

Prayer List

  • My friend Sandy’s Brother Richard
  • My co-worker Rita having heart problems
  • Alan’s friend Tim struggling with health issues
  • Brother Jerry continuing his battle with cancer
  • All others suffering from afflictions needing God’s hands