Are You “Fresh and Flourishing”?

By Carol L. Doyel –

As a woman 50+ you may not feel like you’re flourishing, or fresh. You may feel the effects of aging, you may not have the energy you once had, and life can sometimes leave us feeling disappointed or even downcast. The scriptures say that although Paul’s body was withering away his spirit was being renewed day-by-day…but you may not feel like your spirit is being renewed each day.

Take heart!  Although we will have to face the fact that no matter what we do physically, our bodies will wither away and we can become worn down at times from the day-to-day challenges of life. But as Christians we should enjoy the benefits of being planted in the house of the Lord according to Psalm 92:13-14, “Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.”  Wow – So we should continue to bear fruit and flourish even in our old age!  How might we do that, what does this mean?

Below is an excerpt from a commentary on Psalm 92:14 found at Bible Study Tools: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/treasury-of-david/psalms-92-14.html

“They shall be fat and flourishing. They do not drag out a wretched, starveling existence, but are like trees full of sap, which bear luxuriant foliage. God does not pinch his poor servants, and diminish their consolations when their infirmities grow upon them; rather does he see to it that they shall renew their strength, for their mouths shall be satisfied with his own good things. Such as one as Paul the aged would not ask our pity, but invite our sympathetic gratitude; however feeble his outward man may be, his inner man is so renewed day by day that we may well envy his perennial peace.”

So what can we do to flourish and feel fresh?  Below are suggestions that can help keep us flourishing, and experiencing more of God’s perennial peace:

1. Take time every morning to tithe your first waking hour to the Lord – seeking Him, communing with Him, reading the Word, praying, and maybe writing in a journal (If you don’t have an hour every morning commit some time no matter how short, even if you have only 5-10 minutes while you drink your coffee to mediate on your favorite scriptures and promises that the Lord has given you).
2. Ask God to direct your steps every morning.  I try to ask God everyday what His will is for me that day. What are the eternal things you can do that will make a difference in the life of your loved ones and in your life? Lay down your agenda for God’s agenda!
3. Get outside if you can for fresh air, walk, exercise, move – every day for at least 30 min.
4. Plan your meals and be thoughtful about what you eat and drink – don’t do things in excess because it will only leave you feeling heavy and guilty.
5. Serve!  Look for opportunities to serve your husband, your kids, your loved ones and others. Sign up to volunteer at your church, in the community or take it upon yourself to visit the elderly, or people in the hospital, or prison, or that you know who could use the encouragement and would be blessed by your visit and gift.  When we take our eyes off of our own troubles and circumstances to help others our problems seem to miraculously diminish.
6. Take time to enjoy a good book on a topic you love, read a novel, or maybe a historical book, but do it for recreational and relaxation – not another book on your must read list.
7. Find something that you love to do as a hobby – writing, or maybe take a painting or fitness class, take walks in the woods and bring your journal, do something that feeds your creative nature.
8. Take time to nurture your relationships with your spouse by planning a special evening; take time for romance, and think of fun things you can do as a family with your adult kids and grandchildren if you have them.
9. In addition, make sure you have girl friend time!  I don’t know what my life would be like without the relationships and precious time I spend with friends. Years back I was so blessed to have a season with a group of women who I developed lifelong relationships with and even though I don’t get to see them as much as I would like to these days because of moving around the country for my husband’s work, I will be forever grateful and connected to those dear friends whom I spent seven years doing Bible study with – each and every one of them occupy a special place in my heart!
10. Learn to rest in the Lord! Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. It’s important to take time to rest in the Lord. This doesn’t mean you have to kick your feet up for hours resting, that’s not the point. It’s about learning to trust God and casting your burdens and cares on the Lord, making your requests known to Him to experience the peace of God that surpasses our understanding. It does not necessarily mean that everything is going to go the way we would like it to or turn out the way we thought it might, but we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. As we trust God more and rely less and less on our own strength and understanding, we will find rest for our souls!

As God’s word says, those that “wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint,” (Isaiah 40:31)

Carol Doyel is Editor-in-Chief and Founder of LivingBetter50.com. She is a graduate of The Full Gospel Bible Institute and has a passion for women’s ministries, issues and lives. She and her husband of 25+ years have three grown kids and three grandchildren.  They currently reside in southern CA. Her desire is to inspire women to live better physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.