Today is my birthday. Yippee! Actually, I can’t stand aging and growing older by yet another year, but it sure beats the alternative. I have spoken to a number of Christian singles (and there are many out there) who are also having, shall we say, a difficult time aging gracefully as well. Why did I feel a tinge of comfort as they spoke of their own issues with aging?
Coping with Aging and Growing Older
Basically what we have found is that you can graph singles’ attitudes about aging as a bell curve. The good news here is that majority of both extremes, twenty-something singles and senior singles, are handling aging okay. The former rarely give it thought, and the latter group of older singles (surprisingly in my view) have adjusted to the idea that the body “just ain’t what it used to be.”’ To these healthy singles “age is just a number.”
However, the group of single Christians who do have trouble with aging and growing old are the 30-somethings and 40-somethings. Many in this group, whether single females or single males, feel the stress of clock ticking off time. Bulging bellies, sagging pectorals and breasts and dating disappointments wreak havoc on the minds of plenty of these singles. Throw in the fear of remaining single forever and single parenting problems, and it’s no wonder that anxiety and depression plagues this group more than any other.
How to Deal with Agiing Without Whining
I recently had a great conversation with an 80 year old Christian guy who helped me get an attitude adjustment on my views on aging. He gave three suggestions, that I’ll pass on to you. He promised me that if I was successful at doing this I would conquer my phobia about aging and growing old. Oh well, here they are:
- Take Jesus’ advice and live one day at a time…really…really…savor it as if it was your last on earth.
- Take your mind off you (oops, he had me here!) and serve others with a sincere heart fulfilling the command in Romans to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and to weep with those who weep.”
- Take God at His word as you wait on Him for your needs and future blessing
Hey, I feel better already. Are you a single Christian with something to share about aging?
Related Article:
Being Single Advantages
Making Peace With Your Past
40-Something and 50-Something Dating
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Posted: 50-Somethings, 40-Somethings, 30-Somethings, 20-Somethings, Bible Verse of Day Tags: aging, growing old, singles, dating
Each Lord’s day we will be bringing you a daily devotional for singles from Pastor David Gremban of Calvary Chapel Ann Arbor, located in Ann Arbor (MI) Michigan. Since many single Christians live such busy lives, daily devotional and Bible study guides as found on the web can save us time and be spiritually uplifting.
Even for those Christian singles who have a daily devotional, living a godly single life in Christ is a difficult, if not impossible thing to do. Our world, Satan and even our own flesh tempt us with sexual impurity, stress, anxiety and depression. Having problems with any of these can influence us toward making poor decisions in our lives, including our dating relationship choices.
Fortunately, the great news as believers is that we have the Holy Spirit who can help us with our thoughts, words and actions in order to live victoriously in Jesus. May you be encouraged through our daily devotional.
Daily Devotional for Today
In Ephesians 4:29-32, we’re instructed to “put off” old practices and to “put on” new practices. We are particularly challenged in the following three areas.
First, we are challenged in regard to our words (v. 29), to speak words of life, words that edify others, and words that impart grace to the hearer.
Second, we are challenged in regard to our spiritual sensitivity (v. 30), to not grieve the Holy Spirit, but to respond to His correction and to His promptings.
Third, we are challenged in regard to our attitudes (v. 31-32), to put away bitterness and festering anger, and to instead walk in forgiveness, following God’s example. A believer in Christ has been made into a new creation… let’s adopt practices that reflect the wonderful work of God’s grace in our lives.
Bible Verse of Day
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29-32
If you’re part of a Christian singles group ministry or church, and would like to share a daily devotional with thousands of singles worldwide, please feel free to contact us.
Posted: 50-Somethings, Anger, Bible Study Guide, Daily Devotional, 40-Somethings, 30-Somethings, Single Dads, 20-Somethings, Single Parents, Singles Ministry, Bible Verse of Day Tags: none
They’re fighting a war in Iraq, and most of the soldiers are single guys and single gals. Did you ever think about that? In fact, it’s not just in Iraq: All countries of the world employ their young single adults to fight their battles. What a waste!
The sad thing is, some of these “Iraqi war singles” will NEVER come home from Iraq, let alone enjoy a long lasting dating relationship or marriage. While most singles are planning and praying about how to meet a dating match, these Iraq singles are hoping to just stay alive for another day. Talk about perspective. According to a recent Associated Baptist Press article, many soldiers in Iraq are reading the Bible to gain strength and hope.
The Iraq War Gives Perspective
I believe the Lord allows certain hard circumstances in our lives in order to bring us back to what’s really important in life. Ok, maybe you’re not in a real war like the “Iraq war singles”, but there may be other issues in your life, like a broken heart from a sour dating relationship, sickness or job loss that serves the same purpose.
I suppose learning how to find contentment in all of life’s wild turns is key to abundant living in this life. So, how are you doing in this area? Don’t be discouraged if you’re not feeling victorious. There’s a learning curve even for the most famous single Christian of all time:
Bible Verse of Day
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phillipians 4:11
In the meantime, let’s take our minds off our own needs and pray for Iraq, and that justice be done there. Pray for all the singles that are living, fighting and dying there. Pray for their contentment and salvation. Finally, let’s all pray that they may return home soon. Amen.
Posted: 30-Somethings, Iraq War, Singles Ministry, 20-Somethings, Christian Singles, Bible Verse of Day Tags: Iraq, war, singles, dating, Iraqi war, single Christian, dating relationship, Bible verse of day, Phillipians 4
