Changing Perceptions on Aging and Seeing Growing Old as a Gift

Proverbs 16:31 – Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

It is birthday season! I turned thirty-nine some weeks ago and it feels surreal. This is a unique one for me as it will be my last year in my thirties. When I was in my 20s, 40 seemed so old, but now, not so much. 100. 100 seems so old now, right? I have never been one to hide my age or be shy about it. I just did not notice how quickly the years flew by. I count this as a blessing, and I am so grateful for the gift of growing old. Length of days is a gift and blessing from God. If you have ever experienced the loss of someone who was so young, you gain a deeper gratitude for the privilege of growing old and see that grey hair and getting to grow old as a gift from God. Aging is not something to be weary about or hate but rather be grateful for and embrace as the gift that it is.

Psalm 91:16 – “I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Zechariah 8:4 – “This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age.”

A friend of mine calls her grey hair ‘wisdom highlights’. This is so true and even Biblical!

In a culture that tries to do any and everything to avoid growing old, trying to appear like they have turned back the clock with cosmetic surgeries, it is refreshing to turn to the Word of God and see the truth and beauty about aging. The Bible says there is honor in ageing because it is usually accompanied with wisdom and experience. God often grants length of days as a blessing and reward. My prayer is that as I grow older, I will do so gracefully and with good health, strength, and a sound mind, surrounded by loved ones just like Caleb in the book of Joshua. That with increase in age, my zeal and passion for loving and serving God will also increase.

Joshua 14:11 – Now behold, as the LORD promised, He has kept me alive these forty-five years since He spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old, still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. As my strength was then, so it is now for war, for going out, and for coming in.

Here are some beautiful verses about growing old to encourage you and shift your perspectives to the truth in God’s Word about the gift of length of days and growing old as children of God.

Ruth 4:15
“He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.”

Luke 1:36
“What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.”

Psalms 92:14
“They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green.”

Psalms 71:18
“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”

Job 12:12
“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”

Proverbs 20:29
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.”

Leviticus 19:32
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.”

Proverbs 23:22
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”

Leviticus 19:32
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.”

Psalms 103:17-18
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”

Isaiah 46:4
“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; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

2 Peter 3:8-18
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”