How do I deal with anxiety and depression related to aging?

I think it's helpful at the start to identify what things you may be particularly anxious or depressed about. Naming them sets you up to experience life-changing perspectives from Scripture. God's grace and mercy is tailored to our specific troubles, so what anxieties and discouragements might plague us as we age? It could be the weakness and vulnerability that increase as we move into older age. I'm 63 now and feel very acutely certain physical limitations that I didn't have even a decade or so ago. Aging can be hard for us because if we're honest, we don't like being weak and the thought of losing our independence can be terrifying. For others, the fears may center around losing financial security or the complexity of planning for end-of-life care. For some, the anxiety or depression may be driven by the accumulation of regrets, opportunities lost earlier in life, or relationships that are strained or broken beyond repair. For others, it may be a deep sadness of leaving behind a fruitful career or ministry. Now, that's not an exhaustive list by any means, but it helps to know what for you may be underlying your anxiety and depression.

Now, what biblical perspectives might help us? I'll name several. First, the Christian life is a dependent life in all ways. Weakness or inability is not just a problem localized to our aging bodies. It's true regarding our spiritual lives as well. Jesus says in John 15:5, “Apart from me, you can do nothing,” and that's true across the board, whether we're talking about our salvation or day-to-day life. As Paul says in Acts 17:28, “In him we live and move and have our being.” In that sense, we never were completely independent agents. God is our keeper. We see this repeatedly in Psalm 121. Where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Second, even as we waste away outwardly, inwardly we are being renewed. This is Paul's perspective in 2 Corinthians 4. The decline of our bodies and even our mental faculties cannot stop God's transformative work in the hearts of his children.

Third, we can be certain that according to Psalm 139:16, all the days ordained for you were written before one of them came to be. And that gives purpose and meaning for today and confidence for a future that we know has been crafted by God for your good, despite the inevitable hardships and losses. Lastly, in Luke 12, Jesus says, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” He anchors his encouragement not to be anxious in verse 32, where he tells his disciples, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” What is our deepest encouragement amid the challenges of aging? That we have been given a gift that can never be taken away from us, even by death.

Now, in light of these biblical perspectives, what can you do? Entrust yourself to God's fatherly care. He is holding you in the palm of his hand. He's your keeper. Embrace the day that the Lord has given. Be faithful in your calling today. In Corinthians 15:58, after discussing the resurrection, Paul reminds us, “Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. No matter what stage or season of life, young or old, our daily labors are not in vain.

What else? If you have lingering regrets, speak them to the Lord and let his grace and mercy meet you. He has born your guilt and shame, and it's okay to lament the loss of vitality in various areas of your life. By speaking of your disappointments and fears and sadness to the Lord, you are doing what so many of the Psalms model—faithful and trust-building crying out to the Lord.

Leverage your lifetime of wisdom by investing in others. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul says to Timothy, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” The age range in my men's discipleship group is mid-twenties to mid-eighties. When Bob who is 85 speaks, it is always a gift to us younger men, and that happened even last night.

Lastly, cultivate a longing for heaven. C. S. Lewis says in Mere Christianity, “I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find until after death.” Psalm 84:2 puts it well; “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD.” In addition to prayer and meditation in Scripture, one way to stir up a desire for heaven is to let earthly beauties and wonders and pleasures draw you toward the beauty and wonder and glory of Jesus Christ. As that happens, our appetite for heaven is whetted, and as our bodies become increasingly frail, we long for that which is imperishable. Let limitation lead to longing. May our growing limitations with aging deepen our longings for the something more that only a renewed heaven and earth can provide through Jesus Christ.