Growing Up Is Hard . . . No Matter How Old You Are!

As my husband and I drove out to do some errands yesterday, the shocking realization hit me that in fifteen years (if we live that long) we will be eighty!  Eighty!!!  The odd thing is that even though I will be sixty-five on my next birthday, in some ways, I still don’t feel like a grownup!  I still struggle with insecurity in certain social situations and I embarrass myself by laughing too loud when something strikes me as being especially funny.  I feel obligated to appear at least somewhat “put together” yet (more often than I am willing to admit) I frequently am scrambling just to keep up!

Growing up is hard . . . no matter how old you are!  Having this understanding has definitely impacted how I relate to others–be they family, friends or the checker at the grocery store.  Knowing that the majority of us struggle no matter what our age has freed me as a Counselor to love each Client according to their need rather than their age.    The beauty of using the Scriptures as our primary source of wisdom and perspective in the Counseling Room is that the Bible speaks to every age as it ministers to each heart.

In the past six months I have marveled at how Scripture passages that have stood out to me earlier in the week, can also be helpful to a majority of my clients facing vastly different problems.  The reason for this is that the Scriptures help to take our focus off of ourselves and beyond our circumstances to open our minds and hearts to God’s purposes and perspective.  For example, this passage from I Corinthians 4:1-5 grabbed my attention this past week:

“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.  Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.  I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”

As I thought about being a “servant of Christ” and the responsibility I bear before God to never forget what He has done in my life, the phrase, “With privilege comes responsibility” came into my mind.  It is a phrase that I repeated countless times as our children were growing up.  I thought about that as I reflected on the Apostle Paul’s words.  If I am privileged to claim Christ as Savior, my identity is bound up in Him as His servant.  With the privilege of serving Him comes the responsibility to never trivialize what God has done or is currently doing.  I was especially touched as I thought about, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent . . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.”  We all carry regrets of things said or done, yet we have a clear conscience because of the saving work of Christ Jesus–Praise and honor Him by reflecting His goodness whatever age we are!

During the week that followed I shared this passage with several clients–one reeling from the pain of infidelity, another battling panic attacks, also a single mom in need of a job– and they were each blessed by it too.  No matter how young or old you are or may feel, God’s purposes will be worked out in your life as you trust and honor Him.  Be encouraged friend, growing up is hard . . . no matter how old you are–but God is certainly worthy of our trust.

All to His Glory!