A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. (Proverbs 16:31)
There comes a time when the conversations of “women of a certain age” turn to “When should I quit coloring my hair and go natural grey?”
Praying for a long life seems to reflect the heart of God and can be one of the ways He chooses to bless a life devoted to Him and His ways. (This does not mean that if one dies young that they lack the blessing of God, rather, only God’s knows the number of our days: “…in Your book were all written, The days that were ordained for me” (Psalm 139:16) However, there are enough verses on growing old, that a case could be made that a desire for a long life a God-placed request of our souls.
With a long life I will satisfy him… (Psalm 91:16)
You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess. (Deut 5:33)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. (Eph 6:1-3)
Science seems to back up the overall principle that it pays to walk according to the way God created life. In 10 Secrets of Living Smart, Savvy, and Strong, author Pam Farrel lists the good habits of those who lived to be a 100:
BE POSITIVE! Centenarians are cheerful & optimistic.
EAT RIGHT! Lose weight. Centenarians are not obese.
CHILL! Centenarians have a stress-reduction mind-set.
LAUGH! Centenarians have a sense of humor.
BELIEVE! Centenarians have a sense of hope.
ENJOY! Centenarians have interests & hobbies.
VOLUNTEER! Centenarians care about others.
FORGIVE! Centenarians release grudges.
MOVE! Centenarians are active.
THINK! Centenarians keep their minds active.
God’s Path: Since we are to be good stewards of the days God has ordained—how ever long that might be—which of the above items listed can you improve or change to better reflect God’s plan for healthy living?
Pam Farrel is the author of 58 books including bestselling Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti and her newest: Discovering Good News in John: A Creative Bible Study Experience (coauthored with Jean E Jones and Karla Dornacher) Pam is a virtual leader for FP4H and will be the speaker at First Place 4 Health Hope for Me Wellness Weekend at Sandy Cove, MD in January. She and her husband, Bill, co-direct Love-Wise