On my middle-aging body and mind

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16

When I look at the time before my body began its natural decline into middle age and beyond, I remember a time when my heart, mind, and soul was fresh and young. Now I am seeing the interesting design God set in place for the human being. While our bodies experience the decline and decay, our hearts and souls also move in the other direction. While my body is not what it once was, my heart, mind, and soul are in a different more developed place than it once was.

I take courage and heart in recognizing this today. We have a tendency to rely too much on our bodies in relation to our sense of contentment and joy. This thing which is so fading should not be our sole reliance for trust and contentment. While, yes, my body is not what it used to be (not that it used to be anything spectacular either), I have to not be worried or concerned. Instead, I should be thankful and excited that my mind, heart, and soul are more developed and formed than I ever used to be before.

Not only that, but my heart, mind, and soul will continue to develop and grow according to the grace and love of Christ. I am being renewed day by day in heart and mind.