Second Quarter Life Crisis

At age 54 life has a much different look and feel than at age 24. Recovery from a life threatening disease in my 50’s, survival of a severe economic recession in my 40’s and job uncertainty in my 30’s are sober reminders of Christ’s control in my life. When tempted to give up as I face new challenges, the memory of God’s faithfulness floods my heart and mind. I can look back and regret what I could have done better or I can celebrate the Lord’s good and meaningful works.

Solomon faced a similar season of life and chose to focus on the people and circumstances that still did not make sense to him. Wise as he was, he made some foolish decisions to disobey God. He felt he had progressed beyond the need to follow the Lord’s marriage guidelines, so he changed the rules to accommodate his lustful desires, fueled by his pride and power. A man ceases to be wise when he discounts, even dismisses, applying God’s rules to himself. What the Lord wants only becomes meaningful when we stop demanding  what we want.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).

Are you in your 40’s or 50’s and disappointed with your life? Have you lost faith? If so, take a step back and celebrate the Lord’s blessings. Thank Him for the humility you have learned from persevering through difficult days. Praise Him that your pride melts away when you bow your head in humble prayer. You can be grateful when God uses hard times to soften your heart. Measure your life by your heavenly Father’s measuring stick of remaining faithful to His will.

If you face a health crisis, cry out to your Creator for a clean heart within you, and by His mercy and grace bring healing to your body. If you are dealing with a cash crisis because you are behind in your retirement savings, trust Christ to be creative in His future provisions. If a relational crisis robs your peace and places pressure on other relationships, seek forgiveness and healing. Do your best, trust God with the rest and rest in Him. Use your crisis to find more meaning in Jesus.

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

Prayer: Heavenly Father help me persevere through my crisis to find life’s meaning in Christ.

Related Readings: Psalm 39:5-6, 62:9; Luke 8:11, 18:34; Romans 7:21-25; Philippians 1:19

Post/Tweet today: What the Lord wants only becomes meaningful when we stop demanding what we want. #wisdomhunters

Additional Resource: Family Life article: http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/life-issues/challenges/mental-and-emotional-issues/feeling-lost-in-the-middle-of-your-life#.VFyrMoeJnzI

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