On the Far Side of 50
It sounds like a cliché, but the best is yet to come. The far side of 50 is a good place to be. Despite the losses, aging is not about losing.
The regard with which we view ourselves is called our self-esteem. It is our mental self-perception. We develop this perception throughout our lives as it springs from our nature, is cultivated by our nurture, and fleshed out and expressed in our experiences. Self-esteem is tied to our sense of belonging, our sense of worth, and sense of accomplishment.
Our problem is that sin affects every part of our being including our mental perceptions. The result is a distorted, false view of ourselves, others, and God. And since self-esteem often drives our behaviour, a distorted viewpoint will lead to sinful actions.
God's answer to our problem is to provide His Word for truth and knowledge about Himself and His actions toward us. His Word also provides us with truth and knowledge about who we are. Our new self-perception begins with a new birth into a new family. We are a new creation in Christ with a new identity. We are given a new mind—the mind of Christ—so we can see God as He is and see ourselves in proper relation to Him. At the heart of a proper self-esteem is a proper recognition of this new position in Christ. The Spirit of God in us teaches us the truth of who we are in Christ as we grow in the knowledge of God's Word. In learning these truths we can then go on to behave in a way consistent with who we are.
It sounds like a cliché, but the best is yet to come. The far side of 50 is a good place to be. Despite the losses, aging is not about losing.
Aging is the one thing we can't do anything about. If we're alive, we're aging. The alternative to aging is not the most exciting activity.
This longing to be with Jesus doesn't mean I do silly things to get there faster or that I'm content to leave the world as it is. But hope bubbles to the surface more quickly than it did even a year ago.
No matter what the situation, people in every generation and age group have struggled with a lack of gratitude and feelings of entitlement. We have a long history of pride, narcissism, and faithlessness.
Self-esteem is tied to our sense of belonging, our sense of worth, and sense of accomplishment. Our problem is that sin affects every part of our being including our mental perceptions.
I learned a little about English from Mr. Bienert. But I learned much more about life. I learned to keep a childlike heart. I learned that the first three letters of the word diet spell die, so go ahead and have pie with your ice cream.
Esther exhibited a grace-filled charm and elegance. In Esther 2:9, the literal translation of the original language says, “She lifted up grace before his face.” Isn't that a beautiful expression?
The clothing industries made a killing last month. People came out from under the rocks to wrap themselves in new Easter threads, shoes, and hats.
God can and will use this experience for good in your life. You may want to argue, ignore, or shout against your circumstances, but believe that God is working.
Questions gnawed at my mind, making me wonder if I had missed God's plan for my life. Did I get it wrong? Where was I supposed to be? What was I meant to do? Why didn't anything make sense anymore?