Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...and be thankful.
– Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
How has your energy level been?
If you’re an older adult, you may find you can’t do the things you used to in the same time frame that you used to. The text in Isaiah 40 says that God will give strength (energy) to those who hope in him.
If you continually look at your pile of to-do’s and never look back at what has been done – or how far you have come – you grow more weary.
Here are some tips to help renew your strength each day.
1. Spend time daily with God.
When you begin to understand how big, strong and able God is, then hope automatically comes – and with hope comes strength. You can find hope and strength when you spend time each day with God because it re-centers your attention and re-calibrates your life to be more connected to God and others. Devoting time to prayer, reflection and Bible reading is a reminder of God’s continued presence in the world.
“For many older adults, including Good Samaritan Society residents, it is common to spend time reflecting on who God is, what heaven looks like, whether they’ve lived a good life and what their legacy is. These questions and others provide opportunities to engage in conversation about faith and be strengthened,” says Jerry Bertelson, senior spiritual care consultant and pastor at the Good Samaritan Society.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." – Isaiah 40:29
2. Count your blessings.
There is something very powerful and profound that happens when you simply look for the good around you. Especially during hard and stressful situations, or when you’re feeling hopeless.
“Staff and residents across the Good Samaritan Society often express appreciation through words or a thumbs up,” says Jerry. “This opens space between two people where genuine gratefulness is felt.”
Colossians 3:15 says this: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and be thankful.” When we focus on all the good that God is doing in and around us, we can’t help but be thankful.
3. Seize the moments today.
Every moment has a bit of heaven and eternity wrapped up in it. It’s easy to forget how involved God wants to be in the world around you. It’s also easy to spend a lot of mental energy reflecting on the past or anticipating the future. But the place where you meet God is in the present.
“When you slow down your mind and focus your attention on the present moment, you begin to see the sacred work of God all around you,” Jerry states.
If you calm your mind and pay attention to all the things God has given you, you then see the miracle of being alive, the miracle of this world and the miracle of other people. And in doing so, you know that God is at work and present in your life.
Albert Einstein was quoted as saying, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
“Renewing your faith is not something that happens the harder you try,” says Jerry. “Rather, deepening your faith is an act of grace. It is a gift. When you simply open your heart and mind to encounter God, you discover God shows up.”
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to look at you and how powerful and mighty you are! When I focus on your greatness, the problems around me disappear and my strength is renewed! Amen.
