Isaiah 46:4 I will be your GOD through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age, I made you and will care for you. I will carry you along and be your SAVIOR. [Living Bible translation]
Psalms 92:12-14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our GOD. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. [New International translation]
1Kings 3:14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life. [New International translation]
Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was perfect and he was as strong as a young man. [Living Bible translation]
Joshua 14:10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as HE said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this WORD to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness; and now, lo, I am this day eighty –five years old. [Revised Standard translation]
Summary
The Bible is full of old age greatness! Sometimes we just forget, especially as we experience older age. Sometimes we forget about old age greatness as we watch a parent age. Sometimes we get discouraged or forget when we look in the mirror at aging hair, wrinkled skin or start to make comparisons with some younger mental picture of ourselves. Sometimes, we forget when relationships age ---such as in a family, in a marriage, or in the church itself, as when the pews start to “turn grey.” But if we study our Bible and scriptures, such as Palms 92:12; 1Kings 3:14; Deuteronomy 34:7, Joshua 14:10, Palms 143:5; Genesis 15:5, Palms 71:18, Psalms 91:16, Palms 143:5; Proverbs 16:31, there can be greatness in old age!
Just as there are promises about serving GOD in our youth (e.g., Ecclesiastes 12:1) there are promises about serving HIM as we grow old. All we need to do is continue to study our Bibles and remember.
PROMOTING COGNITIVE HEALTH
One of the things we can do to try to promote cognitive or brain health, and increase our ability to remember, is to stay active. In the article, “Take Action to Promote Brain Health, IOM Report,” April 14, 2015, Megan Brooks discusses a report published by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on the Public Health Dimensions of Cognitive Aging. The report called, “Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action,” advises that unless a person has a neurological disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease, individuals can take a number of steps to promote their own cognitive or brain health: The report recommends three things:
- Be physically active;
- Reduce and manage cardiovascular disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking; and
- Regularly discuss and review your health care conditions and medications (if any) that might have a negative effect on cognitive function.
According to the article and the IOM report, these three things have the “best evidence” for promoting cognitive health in individuals of all ages.
In a similar article, “50+: Live Better, Longer: Healthy Aging-Emotional and Mental Vitality,” www.webmd.com also suggests that emotional and mental vitality are tied to physical vitality. In the discussion of physical activities, the article suggests that if you can’t run, then walk or swim. Don’t stop being active just because you cannot do something you used to do. It is important to try to replace it with another activity—preferable one that is both physical and social. This article also suggests eating healthy meals and snacks, avoiding the depressant effect of alcohol, including meaningful activity in your daily life (such as learning, creating, working or volunteering) and getting proper medical treatment if you suffer from a medical condition.
We might add to the list, find a place of worship, study and serve.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
So many believe that from age 50 onward, “it is all downhill.” Anyone who has ever taken a long walk can easily attest to the fact that sometimes the downhill part is the best part of the journey. Instead of approaching aging with trepidation, do as the scriptures suggest and approach “getting old” with the anticipation of greatness! Let’s remember GOD’s promises and HIS WORD.
On Wednesdays, and every day, let us all strive for mental (cognitive), physical and spiritual health!
Let’s all age with the anticipation that “the best is yet to come.”
Remember, have faith, and BE BLESSED!
