So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. 2 Corinthians 4:16 MSG

A few days ago, I “celebrated” another birthday. I found myself doing the usual evaluation.

Gray Hair. Check.

Wrinkles. Check.

Spare Tire. Check

Chin. Check. Check.

By now, I think you get the idea.  I’m getting older and keeping my chin up on my birthday is getting harder—literally and figuratively! The fact that my body is falling apart is something to which I have reluctantly become accustomed.  However, I was quite surprised when I began evaluating some less superficial areas of my life. It appears my sense of humor is also going the way of all the earth. When did that happen?

To be perfectly honest, I think it was around the time I started to become fearful. Fearful about getting older and not being around to ensure my older daughters know everything they need to know to be happy successful adults. Fearful that I won’t be around to take care of my younger children with disabilities. Fearful that my life dreams will not come to pass. Fearful about failing health. Fearful about finances when we retire. I would like to say that I have faith and complete trust in God but I find myself struggling more as I grow older. Just so you know, this is what I’m going to do about it!

1. Recognize that God knows my human frailties and even great heroes of the Bible had fearful moments about aging. “For He knows what we are made of; He knows our frame is frail, and He remembers we came from dust.” Psalm 103:14 VOICE   “Do not set me aside when I am old; do not abandon me when I am worn out. Now as I grow old and my hair turns gray, I ask that You not abandon me, O God.”  King David in Psalm 71:9,18 VOICE

2. Look to godly examples of older saints. “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” Joshua 23:14  “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” Psalm 37:25

3. Realize growing old helps me to value every precious day. If you have a few extra minutes, you may want to watch this short but profound video clip, THE TIME YOU HAVE (IN JELLYBEANS)  “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NLT

4. Take Refuge in my God and celebrate! “But let all who take refuge in you celebrate.” Psalm 5:11 CEB

5. Understand laughter/humor is a god-given strategy which helps us deal with life’s difficult situations. Research has even shown adults who have a sense of humor outlive those who don’t find life funny. (Study) “A cheerful disposition is good for your health;” Proverbs 17:22 MSG

So this is me laughing in the face of the fear of aging…

Humor. Check. LH

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Lisa Hempel

is an aspiring Bounty Hunter who is always looking for God's Bounty-- His grace and goodness-- in the mundane and melancholy as well as in the miraculous. She is also a wife, mother of four adult children--two with Cerebral Palsy, grandmother and minister of the Gospel. "You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance." Psalm 65:11 NLT

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