Here are 7 ways to increase your faith as you age!
Everyone knows faith in God is important, but it’s easy for many of us to let it slip when the day-to-day struggle becomes too much. Here are some ways you can strengthen your faith in your golden years:
1. Know that it’s never too late to change your life for the better
St Augustine, a famous saint from the 4th century once said: “When I was young I wanted to change the world. Now that I am old, I want to change myself.” However cynical one may be about religion and growing older, there is no denying that as we age our perspective on life changes. This may cause us to lose our way, but it can also allow us to finally see how precious life is.
2. Involve yourself with a spiritual community
Staying close to the church and spending time with those who love God will help you feel closer to Him. If you don’t have a religious affiliation or a nearby parish, consider becoming involved with an organized religion that has accessible community events. You can also find like-minded people in religious or spiritual communities online. Still feeling disconnected? Participate in a faith-based social media group for older adults, such as AARP’s Facebook page.
3. Practice mindfulness meditation
Spending time alone with God every day will help you focus on your soul and keep you from getting lost in worldly distractions. Stillness is the key to mindfulness meditation. When we find ourselves distracted during prayer or reading, we can return our focus back to God by simply trying again.
4. Turn off the noise
Whether it’s social media, TV news, or online personal ads, all these things can cause us to worry about what other people think of us. It’s important to remember that the opinions in our lives should only be those closest to us. Step back from the online drama and false information by completely logging off, shutting down your computer, or turning off the TV when you are ready for some peace and quiet.
5. Look for simple joys
It’s easy to get wrapped up in a busy schedule and forget about why we enjoy the things we do. Take a moment before you start your day to consider what you are grateful for and spend some time looking for simple joys throughout your daily routine. Gratefulness can help us recognize how special our lives really are, especially as we age and recognize our own mortality.
6. Do some good outside of yourself
Making a difference for those around us reminds us that we are not alone and can help us feel closer to God. Volunteering is a great way to get out into the community and be around like-minded people who want to do some good as well. Serving as a greeter at church or helping out with a local fundraiser are just some of the many ways you can help your community.
7. Stay connected to friends and family
When we are surrounded by people who love us, it’s easier to feel God’s presence in our lives. Put down that smartphone for a minute each day to have an actual conversation with those closest to you. If it’s been a long time since you have seen or spoken to family members, now is a great time to reach out and reconnect.
These are the 7 ways to increase your faith as you age. However, there are many more courses of action to keep our faith strong throughout our lifetime, no matter how old we are. Remember, it’s never too late to become the person you want to be.
Check out some of our other posts!
