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Aging
Seriously, I hate getting old. The aches. The eyesight growing dim. The turtle’s pace metabolism. I don’t even mind the wrinkles so much, but come on; do I have to take 5 minutes to get up from a seated position on the floor?
Most of us try hard to hold back the effects of aging. We exercise, we use special creams and lotions, we visit the plastic surgeon. But still, after all we try, we can’t do things as easily (or at all) that we did when we were 20. Cartwheels used to be so easy for me, but now, it’s really hilarious to even watch me try one. The laugh lines still appear (from laughing at my attempts at cartwheels and round-offs) and there’s no cream that will erase them entirely. Plus, I’m very afraid of needles and knives near my skin, and I’m very cheap, so plastic surgery is not a realistic option for me.
I guess this just all reminds me that we’re made for something much better than this world. We are God’s children; we’re loved so much!
The following is what God tells us in Romans 8:16-23.
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs– heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Our present sufferings (aging!) can’t compare to what we have waiting for us. This is excellent news! I do what I can to take care of myself now (good nutrition, exercise, sleep – 1 Corinthians 6:20), but I don’t have to be consumed with my age, my looks, my physical body. I do what I can now, all the while waiting with hope for the second coming of Jesus Christ. We won’t always be in bondage to these bodies. We have so much to look forward to! I’m not even sure what that means entirely, but if it’s from our loving heavenly Father, it’s got to be good!
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Interesting, did you plan to continue this article?
I’m not thrilled with my body getting old either but I decided to start college at 60 years old and I love it. I’ve been on the President’s list every semester. I want to keep my mind sharp and I rely on God’s word that says he will renew our youth like eagles. Most people think I am in my 40′s and I attribute that to the Lord. I am very overweight and he has even sustained me there because I have no health problems but i do think it is time I work on that weight. He is very good and i love him so. Age will never keep us from doing what he has appointed us to do. I preach, teach, sing, counsel and will continue to do so as long as he desires me to. Oh, also I have been writing as I discovered in college that I can write and seem to have a talent for it. Continue on in the Lord he has so many wonderful things for us.
I will turn 60 in a few months and I don’t really think about my chronological age BUT I do feel lots of daily aches and pains that usually require advil several times in the day. I too take 5 minutes to get up from some chairs ( I live alone). At work(Chef) I can’t bend over and pick things up from the floor because of severe back pain; i usually get down on one knee and need to grab something to help myself up. Even though my feet cause me horrible pain ( gellin didn’t work for me) I can still out work the 20 somethings who never learned what a work ethic is SO, as I see the promise land I’ll take the hill side to work and know that my sufferings are minimal to that which Christ endured (for me!) AND I will not forget that God didn’t take the thorn out of Paul’s leg but gave him the strength to endure and carry on. Sometimes I am confused with the severe penalty God required from Moses for his one prideful- arrogant mistake; especially given all the sins King David committed. However, I am grateful for God guiding me to open this particular email as I sit here in pain and share my truth of the moment; all the while hoping and praying that I will be given the privilege of humbly knowing His will for me and the purpose I was given along with life. I would truly enjoy being part of a round table discussion on this subject and participating in a writing of lessons learned about aging through pain and suffering that I could give to my 3 adult children. Regretable,after 30 years of marriage my wife divorced me and my dreams for my family were ripped from my heart,mind and soul.. The impact of divorce these past 10 years seems to be a disconnect between me and my 3 children and a complete lack of interest on their parts as to the journey of my life. I now include ongoing sadness with my sufferings. The joy of sharing with my children what I experience in life, through aging, and what new adventures they are discovering, has been denied me; just as the promise land was from Moses. I pray God gives me new guidance on my new role as an aging father with no one left in the nest and my heart still yearning for their closeness and family unity.
These are beautiful testimonies. I will be just 35 on January 13th, but I visited the blog tonight to gain some perspective on how to better relate to my beautiful Mom. She is 67 years old. We currently live together and she, too, is an active, vibrant person. As she continues to age, I want to be sensitive to her emotions about her aging. God Bless you all.
…P.S. For Forbes, I did not mean to be insensitive to your plight when I commented that the testimonies were beautiful. I was thinking of Allison and Juanita’s. For you, it’s important to know you are not alone.
To Dougles: I’m not sure what you mean by continuing the article. Are you interested in reading more on the topic of aging? Or did you feel that the blog/article needed to say more? I’m interested in your feedback. Thank you!
Allison
I have several mental illnesses. Depression is one. people think I look so sad . I pray and seek professional help. Some say it’s a tool of Satan. I think it’s a condition. what do you think?