When Getting Old Creeps Up on You

As you sprint past the point of young adulthood, you may miss some signs of aging along the way. How do you handle aging when getting old creeps up on you?

Acknowledging the passage of time is a real struggle for many adults as they get older. Whether it’s triggered by a child’s graduation, a beloved niece or nephew getting married, or a parent who is struggling with his or her health, the realization that our time on earth is limited happens to us all. And the passage of time can make anyone feel like he or she is getting old.

The question is not why or how we can prevent aging, but how we can respond with a positive perspective as we age.

What the Bible says about getting old

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament speak to aging and its benefits. God’s Word can be a source to guide us as we age, to give hope, to help us understand our new roles or purposes, and to help us remember the Lord’s promises to the aging.

In Proverbs 16:31 (ESV) we read, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Trying to view the aging process as a “crown of glory” might be tough when you’re staring down wrinkles and piling up doctor’s appointments. But remember that a life well-lived, following after the Lord, spans a lifetime of His wisdom.

Job 12:12 promises that as we get older, we also gain understanding. In Psalm 37:25, we read the testimony of David, who scholars believe was getting old at the time. He declared that the beauty of aging comes when you can look back at your youth and your entire life and see the hand of God’s faithfulness.

God’s Word also helps us to understand that it is good to reflect on our days on this earth so that we can seek wisdom. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

In the New Testament, we’re reminded not to lose heart as we get older (2 Corinthians 4:16) because our true renewal comes from within, and the Holy Spirit is working inside the heart of every believer. Titus 2:3 reminds aging women that what they have to offer is valuable to younger generations.

The Lord promises to be with us into our aging years and to sustain our needs. Isaiah 4:6 says, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you, I have made you and I will carry you.”

Approaching aging with a POSitive mindset

The acronym POSitive can help when your numerical year keeps creeping up, but you aren’t ready for it year after year. POS stands for Prepare-Own-Serve.

Prepare

To be able to age well, we need to put some thought into our aging process. Evaluating how we want to age, goals we want to achieve, or expectations we’ve had that may no longer be realistic are all keys to growing old with humility. To prepare is to ask ourselves questions, reflect on our lives so far, and plan for the life ahead we still have left.

Own

Many people don’t receive the aging process because they never take ownership of their current reality. Being able to embrace getting old is so valuable. It means that you aren’t expecting the same achievements or pursuits that you had in your younger years. This may look like letting yourself off the hook for never learning to water ski, but it also could mean taking up a new hobby that aligns with what you want to give back to others.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to lead the next generation on a mission trip or offer your entrepreneurial knowledge to young, startup business owners. Owning your current state of age is simply being willing to see what is true today.

Serve

As you are growing older, take hold of Psalm 92:14 ESV which says, “They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.” Looking for ways that God wants to use you in the next season of life is part of the glory with which old age is crowned. He doesn’t count you out simply because your age is creeping up. Ask the Lord how you can be of service to Him as you get older, and take delight in knowing you’ll still bear the fruit of God’s Spirit inside you.

What about the days when my mindset isn’t positive?

Everyone has good days and bad days. No matter what your age is, it’s possible to wake up a little less motivated, grumpier, and with a less-than-sunny outlook on your current stage of life. But this is true of any age – not just in getting older. So how do we handle it when our attitudes need a little help?

Seeking sources of encouragement is extremely beneficial. Maybe taking a walk in nature or reading one of the books by your favorite author brings a smile to your face. Or perhaps listening to an uplifting podcast or turning on worship music will remind you of your holy calling.

Other sources of encouragement include building friendships with positive people. Many studies suggest that even though an older adult’s number of friendships decreases with age, the quality of those friendships is more satisfying. There are several reasons this may be the case, but one study reports that, similar to aged wine that gets better, human beings who age well together learn better how to be supportive and encouraging.

Preventing mental decline can also be a means of taking care of yourself in the golden years. Pursue hobbies and volunteer or work-related activities that help your brain engage. Crossword puzzles, reading, or tutoring students at the local library are good examples. Each of these activities requires your brain to be activated, which has been shown to head off a host of mental struggles.

Depression, anxiety, and loneliness can result from having too little to do which challenges your brain. On the other hand, having a purpose, learning a new skill, and working with others gives you a stronger sense of why you’re here and how you are helping others.

Many who have aged well say that they owe their positive outlook to taking care of their physical bodies. While you don’t have to be a marathon-running sixty-year-old, the aches and pains of natural aging are diminished through regular movement. This could be a senior fitness class, light weightlifting, or regular walks around the neighborhood.

Likewise, taking care of one’s diet can lead to better weight management. Overall, this supports a healthier aging process because a poor diet is linked to a plethora of diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Learning how to eat for health and enjoyment requires practice, but over time, older populations are finding longevity and energy because of healthy habits.

How else can I embrace the process of getting old?

In addition to paying close attention to your physical and mental wellness and building strong friendships, you can arm yourself with knowledge that helps your outlook rather than hurts it. Of course, staying on top of what’s happening in the world isn’t inherently wrong. But when the daily news causes you to become stressed or to fear for the future of your family’s younger generations, it could be an issue.

Knowledge that can help your positive outlook, however, is not static and helps you feel empowered instead of hopeless. Some examples include learning about how to minimize your pharmaceutical bill by making small lifestyle changes. Many conditions for which the older generations take medicine can be managed with a healthy lifestyle.

Speak with your doctor about what prescriptions you’re taking that could be decreased or even taken off your chart if you meet certain goals and guidelines. Learn the science behind what those medications do inside your body and research to see if your body has the same natural ability, with your doctor’s permission, if lifestyle changes confirm it.

Learning to adapt to the societal changes around you is also a fluid, positive form of acquiring knowledge. Older generations who take the time to learn computer skills or how to use a smartphone have reported that they feel more connected to younger family members because of it.

Even with the best efforts to embrace it, aging can be difficult.

You can talk with a counselor about how you’re doing. It’s easy to simply look at others and fail to take stock of your emotional state. It’s important, though, to acknowledge when you are struggling with something. One helpful way to do this is by contacting one of our professional counselors. We have specialized counselors who are trained in working with those who either perceive themselves to be old or who are getting old.

Sometimes family members can’t understand what you are going through, and that’s okay. Seek help to learn how to embrace where you are today and look forward to the future ahead of you.