Growing Old

Growing Old

  “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.”

Proverbs 16:31 NIV

    Growing old, like taxes, is a fact we all must face. With some people, growing old isn't the same as growing up though.  As we grow old, change becomes more difficult.

    As we grow old physical changes in our bodies put on the brakes. You begin to huff and puff when you used to rip and zip. You prefer sitting more than standing . . . watching more than doing . . . forgetting your birthday rather than remembering it.  Mentally, your aging brain longs for relief. You can't remember like you used to, and you don't respond like you ought to. You start thinking more about yesterday and tomorrow in heaven and less about today.  Emotionally, you begin to have strange fears and feelings you once swore you'd never feel. You might even start:

·         Being negative, critical, and downright ornery at times.

·         Being reluctant to let those who are younger take more responsibility.

·         Feeling unwanted and "in the way."

·         Being preoccupied with "what if" more often.

·         Feeling forgotten, unloved, lonely, and passed by.

·         Resisting the need to adjust and adapt.

    All this. . . and so much more . . . is worsened by the memory of those days when you once were so very efficient, capable, needed, and fulfilled. When you look in the mirror, you notice that the fingers of age have begun to scratch their marks on your house of clay . . . and it's hard to believe your twilight years could be of any worth. How wrong and destructive are those thoughts! How quickly does that thinking sentence you to the prison cell of self-pity, doubt, depression, uselessness, and grief.

    Do you realize that God's patriarchs were among His most prized possessions? Abraham was far more effective once he grew old and mellow. Moses wasn't used with any measure of success until he turned eighty. Caleb was eighty-five when he began to enjoy God's best goals. And Paul was used so very effectively during his last days as he wrote words of encouragement in letters that we cherish today!

    Far be it from me to deny the fact that growing old has its difficulties and heartaches. But to see only the hot sands of your desert experience and miss the refreshing oasis here and there is to turn the latter part of your life's journey into an arid, tasteless endurance that makes everyone miserable . . . especially yourself.

    My friend, do you realize that God has decided to let you live this long? Your old age is NOT a mistake . . . NOT an oversight . . . NOT an afterthought. Don’t you think it's time to let God control your emotions, cool your tongue, and soften your smile with a refreshing drink from His oasis? Won't you allow Him to refresh your life by submitting to His will, even if it's late in life? Use your older years to share your fondest memories with those closest to you. Begin praying about your future as you allow God to use you as His valuable vessel of faith.



Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement. If you’re a regular attender or member of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, please consider reading  Joshua 5:9-12 to get ready to hear God’s message through him this coming Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Called to pray for you, teach you and encourage you in your faith,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.