I doubly feel the swiftness of passing years in January. The month not only marks a new calendar year; it’s my birthday month. A couple of years ago I listed 15 Bible verses on aging that seemed to resonate with people. Today let’s address some fears and challenges that threaten to keep us from aging gracefully.
God blessed me with good health growing up. I took my mobility and strength for granted. When my knees began to talk back after playing tennis or twirling on the dance floor, I couldn’t believe it. As years passed, endurance waned. Some days I feel like an old phone battery that needs recharging after use.
Whoever said age is just a number must have been on drugs—or still young! Of course, God blesses some people with extraordinary genes that never seem to slow down.
I’m learning not to compare my present self with my younger self. That is unrealistic and demotivating. A friend in his eighth decade often says, “Every day is a gift.” He’s right. I’m learning to appreciate where God has me. I don’t pack my schedule anymore, but instead of bemoaning this change, I’ve come to enjoy it.
God’s Presence
Every stage of life brings its own concerns. God knows our fears and weaknesses. The following Bible verses relate to aging gracefully and remind us of God’s unchanging faithfulness through every stage of life.
- “He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age” (Ruth 4:15 NIV).
- “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you” (Isaiah 46:4 NLT).
- “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).
- “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you’” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT).
- “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NASB 1995).
Our Purpose
We want our lives to bless others—to be givers, not takers—to the end of our days. The Bible reminds us that some wisdom can only be gained through experience. Have you ever wished you’d known when you were young what you know now? When I was young I valued the wisdom of those who were ahead of me.
How we conduct ourselves sets an example for our younger friends and can point them to God.
- “Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old” (Job 12:12 NLT).
- “Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age” (Job 32:7 NLT).
Perhaps the best gift of aging is being able to appreciate the everyday gifts from God. We may not be as physically strong, but hopefully, we’re spiritually stronger. What scripture has meant a lot to you in your stage of life? Please share it in the comments.
Aging Gracefully: Biblical Encouragement for Every Season of Life #AgingGracefully, #faith Share on X“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NIV).
Paula chose two winners from last week’s comments. Congratulations, Sharon Nelson and Wendy Picciano! You won a copy of Experience the Freedom You Already Have in Christ.
Blessings,
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#MondayLinkUp #InstaEncouragements, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
Thanks, Debbie! Sure need these reminders and encouragement!
Paula, reading those verses always makes me smile!
Beautiful reminders, Debbie. Thank you for always giving us encouragement for our daily lives.
Hugs, Goldie
Thank you, Goldie! You’re a cheerleader.
So much wisdom!
Our aging process is a powerful testimony to the value of image bearers at every stage—even when we can’t “DO” all that we used to, we can still “BE” all God wants us to be.
Michele, you have a gift with words—”even when we can’t “DO” all that we used to, we can still “BE” all God wants us to be.”
Amen!!!
Oh, how I needed to read this. I never had any health problems and never felt a day over 21 until my mid-forties. I recently turned 55, and now I definitely feel 55. LOL
Tina, I had to chuckle reading your comment. I get it. When we feel good we can’t believe that will ever change. When changes come and stay it’s quite jarring! I’m glad you found it helpful. These scriptures make me smile.
Thanks for sharing such an encouraging post!
Thanks, Susan. These scriptures encourage me too.
So relevant to me Debbie. The Lord gave me Philippians 4:6-7 as my scripture for this year – and I’m thinking it will be so for many years. My goal and intention this year is cultivating that calm, undisturbed spirit as I trust Him in all things.
Ann, those are some of the first verses I remember memorizing when I started walking with the Lord. So powerful!
The Isaiah 46:4 passage about God carrying us along has been a help to me. Just as He had always been with me and helped me, He will continue.
I try not to mourn the loss of abilities I had when I was younger, but sometimes I do. I’ve been encouraged by Elisabeth Elliot’s insight that limitations don’t hinder our ministry, they define it.
I heard a preacher say once that one reason God lets our bodies start breaking down is to encourage us to be willing to let go of them. Aches and pains and lack of stamina are continual reminders that this life is not all there is. And that carries a reminder of Psalm 90:12–asking God for wisdom to use our remaining days as He sees fit.
Barbara, those are helpful insights. I especially like, “limitations don’t hinder our ministry, they define it” and believe it to be true. We can enjoy peace, joy, and fruitfulness by operating within our limits.
Debbie, I have begun to notice changes in my endurance and limits. I am learning to work with both, making the most of each day instead of looking at what used to be. It hasn’t been easy to do so but I so want to be productive each day to the best of my ability, and to honor our Lord. And Happy Birthday this month!!! 🙂
Thank you, Joanne. Yes, I go through transition periods where I fight the changes and then finally surrender and embrace the next stage the best I can. I think it was C. S. Lewis who said we discover new interests when we can no longer do the activities of youth. I’ve found that to be true.
Thank you for these kind and helpful reminders from Scripture! It is so good to embrace our different stages in life and see them all as timely gifts from God. Psalm 23…The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He will satisfy our souls throughout our years and different stages as we seek Him daily.
Heidi, that Psalm seems to resonate at every stage of life. Thanks for reminding us of it.
My favorite part of your message is the reminder that aging gracefully allows us to appreciate each day as a gift. Thanks for this uplifting and encouraging message.
Katherine, I think it’s easy to take life for granted when you’re young. Age does bring perspective.
Thanks for the beautiful encouragement Debbie
Yvonne, I love how God provides encouragement for every stage of life.
Happy birthday, Debbie. I really appreciate your practice of not comparing your present self with your past self. I try to avoid that too, although there have been times this past year when it was difficult. Finding contentment in every season is an ongoing process, I guess.
Lois, that’s a discipline I’ve had to learn! And I agree, practicing contentment is an ongoing process.
Thanks for the encouraging words about aging gracefully. Every season requires walking into things unknown to us, but walked by God beforehand. He makes our lives valuable no matter our age.