It’s something that happens to each of us, and nothing we can do will change that fact. Oh, sometimes we can use different creams, etc., to slow the wrinkles, and we can eat health and exercise to slow the affects of aging; nonetheless, it is like we are on this slippery slope from the moment we are born.

It is interesting to see that in my country of residence, it will soon get to the point that there are more elderly than youth. A quick check of Statistics Canada revealed that in 2017, the number of Canadians over 75 was approximately 2,600,000. This has grown in just four short years to nearly 3 million. When you look at the children, we find that there were nearly 4 million between the ages 0-10 in 2017. In 2021? Approximately 3,900,000. In case you got lost in the numbers as I might have had I been reading this, basically Canada is facing an aging society where there are fewer children and more and more elderly!

And the next logical step our minds will all take is, “Pretty soon I’ll be one of those elderly statistics!”

But I’m not writing this to bring you down. Although it is true that from the moment we are born, we are all on a path that will end up in the “elderly” camp, this is no reason to be depressed. The bible tells us many positive things about aging. Here are a few:

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12 NIV). The young are foolish, we gain wisdom with age! Nothing depressing about that!

Here’s another: “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” (Deut. 32:7 NIV). In other words, it is to the elderly that we are to turn with our questions. Why? Because they have lived so many experiences and learned so much from them!

What about this one? “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” (Lev. 19:32 NIV). If growing old is really all that bad, why are the elderly to be honoured and respected?

It is true that aging brings about changes to our bodies that aren’t always welcomed. I am a first-hand witness to what aging can do to the mind, and believe me, it isn’t pleasant. But is this any reason to fear? Check out these texts:

1. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29,31 NIV)

2. “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.” (Isaiah 46:4 NIV)

3. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalms 73:26 NIV)

We don’t need to fear the aging process! God gives us the strength we need! We just have to accept it by putting our hope in Him! He has promised to sustain and carry us, no matter how much we have been robbed by the aging process! No matter what, God is our strength of heart and our portion, now and forever!

Wow! I don’t know about you, but suddenly getting old doesn’t seem so bad!

And just in case you think that God can no longer use you because your hair is turning gray, check out this verse: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28 NIV)! Thus, it doesn’t matter to God how old we are, we are always useful for His kingdom!

So for those of you who are still young, take heart. Respect and love your elders. They have been there. What they have to say is vital to helping you in the choices you face every day.

For those of you who are middle aged, don’t be afraid of the upcoming years! God will carry you through them and give you the strength you need! He will be your strength and your portion, now and forever!

And for those of us who have already reached that classification of “elderly”, take heart! God isn’t done with us yet. Our wealth of wisdom, gained from so many schools of hard knocks, will be a blessing to everyone we encounter, and there is no age too old to be a witness for Christ!

In His love,
Rob Chaffart
Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries