My 94-year-old dad taught me something surprising about aging: growing older doesn’t have to mean growing old.
He faced heart failure, physical pain and the realities of old age with a combination of realism, optimism and faith.
Three lessons from his life changed the way I think about aging.
They may change the way you think about it, too.
1. Your Attitude Shapes How You Age
It’s not your age. It’s your attitude.
That was dad’s point of view. Same with Satchel Paige.
“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
— Satchel Page
One time, at rehab with heart failure, Dad listened intently to his pep squad, including the…
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Respiratory Therapist
“Get out of the chair, walk 75 feet to the gym, do two 15-minute sessions on the bicycle, two sets of arm strengthening, and walk back to your room.”
Imagine a 400-pound gorilla sitting on your fluid-filled lungs while doing this routine.
Dad weighed about 215 at the time and was six feet tall. He proudly served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, servicing and maintaining all kinds of planes, including the B29, which was the plane that dropped the big one on Hiroshima.
When the commanding officer gave orders, he did it. My dad’s respect for authority never changed, no matter how weak or how much pain.
How was the therapy, Dad?
“It really wore me out. But I did it. I guess I’ll keep doin’ it.”
2. Be realistic. Be optimistic.
Why even try when you are 94 and in pain?
Because Dad knows Who is masterminding his life and his death. Do you?
Two men of exceptional inspiration and wonder wrote to fill in the unknown blanks on a subject that terrifies the human race.
The great prophet Isaiah.
The great King David.
Two authors of Scripture wrote to the nation of Israel and the world that God cares deeply about the end of life.
“Even to your old age, I shall be the same, and even to your graying years I shall bear you! I have done it, and I shall carry you; and I shall bear you, and I shall deliver you.” Ps 46:4
Years may age the arteries, but they do not harden hope when God stands at the end of the tunnel, holding the light for your future.
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.”
— Ps 68:19-20
God can deliver us even from death.
But, one thing is required. Faith in Who has the power over life and death.
3. Faith Gives Aging a Future
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”
— Pr 9:10-12
Many today scoff at “the fear of the Lord.”
This scoffing dates back to the philosophy of Epicurus, who believed…
- Life and death are purely understood in naturalistic terms.
- Nature is the whole show. No supernatural realm.
Fine, says Solomon in the proverb above. Take that limited view to the grave.
Not dad. His formula for a positive outlook was that God is greater than death.
“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
— Ps 16:8-11
That is what the “fear of the Lord” is. An awe that God is greater than the limitations of this natural world and the limitations of our mind.
If you know someone struggling with aging or end-of-life issues, please email or share this post.
How have you aged with hope and courage?
Stories like this are part of the reflections I write about life, resilience, and purpose, which you can explore on my About Stephen Blaising page.