Growing Old
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Though outwardly we are wasting away,
Inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16
The Destiny of All People
The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Psalm 90:10 (Moses wrote this 2000BC)
HEALTHY AGING STRATEGIES
You only get one chance to grow old.
EXERCISE: Keep Moving- Minimize the amount of inactivity, increase the general level of activity, and make exercise an integral part of daily life. Include at least 20 minutes of daily aerobic exercise.
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DIET: Maintain a healthy weight. Eat vegetables and fruits daily. Focus on lowering the intake of high-fat animal proteins, including red meat, pork, and full-fat dairy products; increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, soy products, fish, skinless chicken, nuts, and seeds.
Avoid Sugar/Fructose: Limiting sugar in your diet is a well-known key to longevity,
Optimize vitamin D levels; take omega 3 fatty acids;
Maintain your brain- Never stop learning and challenging your mind! Take dance lessons, learn a new language, attend lectures at a local university, learn to play a musical instrument, or read a book.
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Get Enough Sleep: Develop a regular schedule with a bedtime routine. Keep your bedroom dark and noise-free— avoid watching television or surfing the internet while in bed. Stay away from caffeine late in the day.
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Stress management: Practice daily stress management techniques, including stretching, relaxation, and exercise. Quit smoking. Limit alcohol intake.
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Social support: Emphasize family relationships and time with friends with goals that include improving communication skills and being open about sharing one’s feelings.
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EMBRACE GOD’S ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE-
AS WE AGE, OUR BODIES DETERIORATE,
BUT WE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
START WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
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You can be proud of growing old-
The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. Prov 20:29
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? Job 12:12
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. Proverbs 16:31
VISION
In God’s design the elderly hold the critical purpose of speaking the truth:
Psalm 71: 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
Psalm 78:1 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old. We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
Psalm 145:4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
Finish Strong-
The righteous will flourish,
they will still bear fruit in old age.
They will stay fresh and green.
Psalm 92:14
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Growing Older-
We have less control, but more faith.
Our memory fails, but we have more wisdom and discernment.
We can do less, but we realize influence comes through character and speaking the truth
We often feel weak, but we believe it when God says, “I have chosen the weak things…”
We don’t understand why the world is going the way it is going, but we trust in our sovereign Lord who reigns over all.
We sometimes feel useless, but we can pray.