It’s no wonder so many of us are afraid of aging. Wrinkles, hair loss, declining physical/mental health, chronic pain, declining energy, dental problems, and doctor appointments are just some of the negative things we hear about the whole process. Aging can be a lot, but could it really be all bad? We’ll talk about just that today.
We know aging happens to everyone, and we promise ourselves we’ll handle it better than those who came before us, but paradoxically we’re still surprised when it happens to us.
Oh, you mean it’s starting now. I thought I had more time.
Let the freak-out commence. After all, the first half slipped by so fast, and each year seems to pass faster than the last. We envision the remaining years of our lives through our mind’s eye like a 15-minute cartoon. All those things we thought we’d do back when life seemed like one big opportunity now just haunt us.
Suddenly we have the motivation for exercise, skin care, and healthy eating habits—because one day, some day is now. And we’re tempted to make big changes in order to make the most of the little time we have.
Folks, we might be experiencing midlife. I hesitate to say crisis although most of you are probably thinking it. Everyone’s heard of a midlife crisis, right? Images of salt and peppered men in sports cars with bleach blonds half their age probably come to mind.
But I’m no psychologist or mental health professional, so I’d rather not speak to any kind of diagnosis. I want to talk about the natural transition in life called midlife—what most of us experience to some degree roughly between the ages of 40 to 60. Women, too.
I’m so close to middle age I can smell the eye cream and hair dye. I’ve been feeling some kind of way about it, but I’m also wondering is it really that bad? Could all the negatives we typically hear about really be all there is to it?
Surely, aging, as inevitable and swift as it is, isn’t something to fight. Especially for the child of God: After all, do we not have an eternal hope in Christ?
Benefits of Age
Now, let me ask you a question: Would you turn back time if you could? Would you trade everything you’ve learned for youth again?
Ain’t no way. You couldn’t pay me even with more dark chocolate I could eat for life.
Not even a little bit of me wants to go back to the naive younger me who was filled with enough insecurities to choke a goat. Most adults I know, while they may bemoan the effects of age, wouldn’t choose to relive those years.
So there must be some benefits to aging if so many of us are not inclined to go back, right? Here are just a few:
- Greater acceptance of one’s own body, intellect, personality, strengths, and weaknesses
- Increased experience-born intelligence—usually from mistakes and hard times
- Greater value placed on relationships and heart rather than appearance
Okay. So there are some benefits.
Do those outweigh the many negatives? Maybe not—although I think it says a lot that many of us wouldn’t trade our experience-honed intelligence for smoother skin.
We think of our youth sometimes as a time when we were innocent with skinny, smooth, energy-filled bodies. But then how many times have I seen myself in a picture and realized that I wasn’t as whatever-it-was-I-thought-I-was-too-much-of at the time?
When I think of my youth, there were many wonderful times, but overshadowing all of them was a deep sense of insecurity and fear. There were many hard times I’d rather not relive.
Perhaps youth is not as synonymous with positivity as I once thought.
Reminders for the Aging Christian
As we’ve discussed, there are positives and negatives to aging, but now I’d like to discuss aging for the child of God.
If you’ve never accepted Christ as your Savior or you don’t know what I’m talking about, be sure to check out this post.
#1 – These bodies are temporary.
We’ve been tasked with stewarding everything we’ve been given, including our bodies. They are temples of the Holy Spirit, but we can’t cling to the fleeting temple—it’s crumbling around us every minute.
#2 – Identity is not defined by the body.
The previous point may seem more negative than the theme of this post implied, but it’s not really negative when you think about it: We have an identity that outlasts our bodies.
#3 – The best is ahead of us—never behind.
I’m looking forward to the day when I shed this flawed shell for a body that doesn’t age and allows me to touch the Savior’s face with no fear, shame, or guilt. The body that lets me dance with no fear of what anyone else thinks and no thought whatsoever to my energy level.
The older I get, I’m glad in a way, because I’m closer to forever.
Wrinkles and doctor visits and hair loss may be part of aging, but none of those things can hope to define us as children of God. We have an eternal hope.
Have you been afraid of aging? What’s helped you remember your identity in Christ rather than your age? Share in the comments below.
Additional Resources
- How Comparison Kills Self-Esteem {+ 3 Reminders For Fighting Back} from HISsparrowBlog
- 5 Necessary Reminders for a Victim Mindset from HISsparrowBlog
- 8 Important Verses for a Healthy Body Image from HISsparrowBlog
I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.
These reminders (truths!) were so helpful for me this morning. All of them – but I am especially struck with the reminder that my identity is not defined by my body! Thanks for sharing….and I am going to pass along as well!! Have a wonderful week ahead!
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Jennifer! I think we could all use that periodic reminder—I know I could. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Amen! I especially love the clarity that comes with aging. And, the sloth-like faith we have grown and nurtured is to be shared to enhance others along their path…give it away generously!
Sloth-like faith…love it Jan! Thank you for commenting!
I’ve never been afraid of aging because I’ve seen some of the cutest and godliest grandmas in my life, Ashley! I do appreciate how you listed the benefits of aging: “Greater acceptance of one’s own body, intellect, personality, strengths, and weaknesses; Increased experience-born intelligence—usually from mistakes and hard times; Greater value placed on relationships and heart rather than appearance.” These are so true! I want to be a godly older woman that inspires younger women to trust God’s faithfulness.
I love that, Lisa! What a wonderful mindset to have about aging. I’ll be keeping it mind!
Beautiful Ashley! As women we can certainly get caught up in the way we look as we age, and lament our “lost” beauty. Such good truths to keep us focused on what is really important!
Yes, our outward beauty can become a priority, but thankfully we have a hope that lasts beyond physical beauty’s fleeting presence. Thanks so much for stopping in!
The aging process is inevitable for us all and not always easy to accept. When I find myself getting worried about my health, not wanting to burden anyone, or my family, I remind myself that no matter what stage of life I may be in (young or old), God holds all my days in His hands. He will be with me and help me to navigate each day as it unfolds. There is such peace and assurance in knowing we are His.
Yes, Joanne! God holds each of our days in His hands…love that!
Thank goodness this won’t be my eternal body!
Ain’t that right!?
Ashley, I’m going to bookmark this post and come back and sit with it for awhile. Having watched my mom go through a long, painful, aging process that still isn’t done … well, it’s all left me exhausted and sad and a bit scared, wondering what my next decades are going to look like. I really appreciate the positive, biblical outlook you’ve shared.
I feel like you wrote this post for me.
Bless you. So good to connect today …
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Linda. Watching parents struggle and even experiencing a chronic illness ourselves could definitely cause more dread of the aging process. I’m sorry your mom’s had a hard time of it. Thank you for commenting!
Ashley,
Thank you for this lovely, Biblical post. I’ve been facing some health issues and have been fearful of the process. You’ve encouraged my heart.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Tammy! Here’s to facing the mixed blessing that is aging. Thank you for commenting!
As I age, the more I appreciate articles like this. 🙂 Thanks for being a voice that aging isn’t something just to dread, but something we can look forward to with hope and with God.