Letter From the Editor’s Desk: Growing Older with Grace: The Christian Path to Aging with Dignity and Holiness

Hello ePrayer Circle Tribe,

I’m sitting here reflecting on a conversation I had with my cousin, a retired psychiatric nurse who recently moved to Atlanta. I asked her which gender she saw most frequently admitted to the psych ward and what were the primary reasons that led people to psychiatric care or nursing homes.

She shared some eye-opening insights. In addition, I read on the National Insitute of Mental Health Website that 1 out of 5 (57.8 million in 2021) people in the general population live with mental health issues. Wow—that’s a staggering number.  Let’s talk about it and review God’s words.

As we age, our lives should be marked by a holy presence and character that reflect our deepening relationship with God. Growing older in grace isn’t just about gaining wisdom; it’s about embodying a spirit of humility, gratitude, and holiness that blesses those around us.

Unfortunately, the reality for many is quite different. A conversation with my cousin, a retired psychiatric nurse of over 40 years of experience, revealed from her perspective that women end up in psych wards more than men due to financial instability and behavioral issues that make it difficult for others to care for them.

Most are widowed or divorced. They cannot deal with “no finances” to take care of themselves because they may have lived very well. Their children desert them because of their behavior problems.

Note: My cousin’s observation did not include people with physical brain damage or alcohol or drug addition problems. 

In a world where financial management is crucial, many older women find themselves in very needy situations—often because they never took control of their finances, either relying on spouses or others to handle it. 

That is evident by the many elderly over the age of 70, living in vans and cars today because after COVID their limited income just don’t pay the rent or bills and health prescriptions.

Nearly 1 in 500 Americans is homeless, mostly on the West Coast and in the Northeast, according to estimates. Homeless advocates say people without permanent housing are chronically undercounted. It’s even harder to track the tens of thousands of people living in their vehicles rather than on the streets or in shelters because they must move around.  Source: Poynter Website

Proverbs 31:16 KJV speaks of a wise woman who “considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard” . This scripture emphasizes the importance of women being financially proactive, ensuring they can live with dignity and grace as they age.

It is wise to ask the Father in Jesus’ name to help you in your planning and to send counselors your way.  Proverbs 11:14 KJV  “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” 

Isaiah 9:6 KJV  “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

 

The Spiritual Decline in Old Age

My cousin explained that many older people develop bad attitudes (men and women) because they are ungrateful and bitter. Often, this bitterness is simply an intensification of traits they had earlier in life but never addressed. As they age, they can no longer hide their true nature.

Statistics show that aging often brings long-hidden character flaws to the surface. If  a person was greedy, mean, stubborn or narcassist starting when they were in their 20’s, 30’s 40’s, 50’s or 60’s. They are three times as greedy, mean, stubborn or narcassist when they are over 70. 

That is the situation if they do not grow in the Lord to overcome character defects. The Gospel changes lives and so do the Holy Spirit.  Make studying the Word of God, praise, prayer, repentence and developing a personal relationship with Jesus part of your retirement plan. It will serve you well more than money.

Matthew 6:33 KJV  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Studies indicate that 60-70% of caregivers, whether family or friends, experience high levels of stress, with many requiring medication to cope with the emotional toll of caring for ungrateful, demanding elderly people and often these are their elderly parents.

What’s more concerning is that this bad behavior isn’t new; it just becomes more noticeable as people age and lose the ability to mask their bitterness.

The Bible cautions against this, encouraging us to remain compassionate and gentle, even as we grow older: “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31, KJV).  

Men and Women are to be Counselors and Teachers of the Younger Generation

The Bible also calls upon older believers to be counselors, teaching the younger generation to walk in faith. 

Titus 2:3 KJV  “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;” guiding younger women in godliness, love, and wisdom.

The role of elder believers is crucial in mentoring and demonstrating a holy presence that glorifies God. Their experience, rooted in years of walking with Christ, is invaluable in nurturing a new generation of believers.

Older men are called to leave a legacy of faith and guide the younger generation by sharing their experiences and wisdom.

• Titus 2:2 (KJV): “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” This verse emphasizes the qualities that older men should exemplify as role models for others.
• Psalm 71:18 (KJV): “Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” Here, the psalmist desires to continue proclaiming God’s power to future generations even in old age.

 

Conclusion: Aging with Grace, Not Bitterness

Growing old with grace means embodying the love, patience, and humility that Christ exemplified. Our character should reflect a life lived in reverence to God. Financial wisdom and proper planning are essential, but above all, cultivating a spirit of gratitude and compassion ensures that our golden years shine brightly with God’s light. Rather than becoming burdensome, let us become beacons of hope and wisdom, showing the world what it means to age gracefully in the Lord.

Job 12:12 (KJV): “With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.” This verse connects aging with increased knowledge and discernment.

 

Reflection and Journal Question: How can you begin cultivating a spirit of gratitude and holiness now, so that you may grow older with grace and reflect God’s light in your later years?

 

May our Living Hope in Jesus Find You Faithful,

 

Editor, Angela Clark, M.Ed.

 

Keywords: growing old with grace, aging with dignity, financial stewardship for women, Christian counseling, elder wisdom, holy presence, aging in faith, spiritual maturity, preparing for old age, Bible teachings on aging

 

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Romans 10:17 KJV  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  YouTube Channel Click Here

 

Romans 10:9-10  9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation

 

John 3:5-6  5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.