That Whole Mid-Life Crisis Thing (Part 2)
Well, I figure it's about time I get around to writing the second half of this post.
To recap, in part one I discussed being at a place in your life where you feel that things need to change, and perhaps not knowing what that change should be, or how to bring it about. In particular, I cited four reasons that one might tend to feel this way:
- unmet needs,
- unhealed wounds,
- the degree to which one feels one is (or is not) fulfilling one's purpose in life, and
- the desire to experience life more fully, to grow and mature, and to realize one's full potential as a human being.
My original intention was to look each of these in turn, and discuss ways to addess the issues — or at least to discuss the obstacles at hand. However, on reflection, I decided to take a different approach.
First of all, I remind myself that God is the author and architect of my life, and all things are in His hands. He is the one who created me, with all of my interests and aptitudes; He knows my every thought and every need and every desire. As the psalmist writes,
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know it completely, O Lord.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Psalm 139:4,13-14
Secondly, not only is God my Creator, He is also my Lord. The Scripture says,
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The apostle Peter adds, "it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed ... but with the precious blood of Christ". (1 Peter 1:18-29) My life is subject to Christ, according to God's word:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Galatians 2:20
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, for he who has suffered in the flesh is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.1 Peter 4:1-2
Everything is for God's glory. Whatever His will, whatever He desires to do in my life, it's in His hands. Furthermore, taking Him at His word, I believe and trust that He has a plan for my life, as He spoke through the prophet Jeremiah:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11
According to the psalmist,
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.Psalm 139:16
So, when it comes to all of the issues that I listed above — personal needs, healing, growth, and fulfillment — I know that God is one who hears and answers prayer. I know that we can come to Him, our loving Heavenly Father, and ask for whatever we need — even if what we need is simply to have hope for the future. Jesus Himself encouraged us,
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!Matthew 7:7-11
Jesus said to His disciples,
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.John 15:7
The psalmist also writes,
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord bestows favor and honor;
No good thing will He withhold
From those whose walk is blameless.
Psalm 84:11
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.Psalm 37:4
Paul puts it this way:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7
Transitions are difficult. But I know that I don't have to have all the answers. I don't have to know exactly where I'm going or how to get there. All I really need is to do these simple things:
- Ask God for what I need, and entrust to Him the desires of my heart;
- Live in submission to His will, for His glory;
- Be patient and trust Him to work in my life.
And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who have been called according to His purpose.Romans 8:28
The Problem of Pain