What valuable self discoveries could I possibly have in my middle aged years you might ask? In a society that glorifies youth and physical appearance it can be a difficult adjustment becoming middle-aged. Self vanity has bought into many of those propagated ideas leaving behind an empty and devalued shell. Middle age years do not have to be fraught with all the perceived losses of youthfulness. Valuable self discoveries in those very middle aged years will bring maturity and inner peace. Focus on the lessons learned and the strengths gained to become the total being of you.
Learning To Let Go
Learning to let go is one of the most valuable self discoveries in middle age. To age gracefully and not bitterly we need to liberate ourselves of what we cannot control or change. Letting go starts with the realization that much of life is out of our control to begin with. Trying to hold on to or control situations or other people will only bring misery not mastery. Releasing grown adult children to make their own choices without interfering is one such situation. Adult children are capable of making right choices when given the space and mutual respect to do so. Holding onto them or material items that no longer serve us results in cluttered space much like a hoarder’s house. Learning to let go in all areas of life is a vital self discovery as we enter into middle aged years.
A Closer Walk With The Lord
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. “
Matthew 22:37-38
More than learning to let things go is the significant blessing of a closer walk with the Lord. As we enter into middle age years there are many situations that we have overcome, many we didn’t, and many we have been rescued from by the grace of God. Arriving at the revelation that we don’t have all the answers that we thought we did in our youth spurs us to search for and accept God’s salvation through Jesus and his greater truths in life. Positive outcomes of personal trials serve to draw us back to our heavenly Father which deepens our faith. As we age it becomes of even greater importance to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God indeed exists and desires to have a personal relationship with us. A closer walk with the Lord brings internal peace knowing that we have been forgiven.
The Value of Relationships
“And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 22:39-40
A closer walk with the Lord is an invaluable asset in middle age years with the value of relationships right behind it. Outside of accepting and knowing that our salvation has been obtained, those we love are our greatest concern. Relationship value becomes more apparent as we age. Admitting wrongs we’ve committed is another area of huge personal growth. Awareness that we may need to forgive or ask for forgiveness is very humbling but an essential building block to healthy relationships. In the middle age years we truly begin to see how fleeting and fragile life is. As we age we see the loss of grandparents, parents, and peers. No longer do we take time for granted. Middle age brings the wisdom to make each moment count in a positive way. Making time to show the love we feel in our relationships becomes incredibly valuable as we age.
The Appreciation Of Good Health
Another valuable self discovery that comes along with middle age is the appreciation of having good health. Once you get into your 40’s your eyesight is the first to go. Interestingly enough it is due to losing flexibility in the lens of our eye. It seems the same is occurring in our bones, muscles, and skin as well. What you once could do with ease now takes a little more effort and wears you out a lot more quickly. Good health is often taken for granted until it has been compromised with an injury or illness with a prolonged recovery. Your health will indeed determine the quality of life that you will have. The value of good health is no longer something to take for granted in middle age years but to be nurtured and greatly appreciated as a gift from God to be grateful for everyday.
Summary
Middle age offers us a time to reconcile our life. Bitterness, unforgiveness, envy, and regret take the life right out of you. Appreciate the life that you have been given instead of whining and complaining. Use each day for good to be the person that God created you to be. Avoiding reconciliation may be the easiest route in life sometimes but facing the most difficult issues will bring the largest gains. Seeking God in all things and drawing closer to Him through prayer and applying Biblical truths to your life will bring inner peace. Learning to let go, a closer walk with the Lord, the value of relationships, and appreciation of good health are all significantly valuable discoveries in middle age years to obtain. Middle age is a gift. Use it wisely!