7 Fears About Getting Old and How to Fight Them

Few things about getting old seem to redeem the decline in body and mind that accompanies the inevitable aging process. In our natural state, we resist the loss of youth in all kinds of ways; midlife crises, cosmetic procedures, and denying the fact that we’re not as we used to be. While most would acknowledge that there are benefits to getting older, such as wisdom and maturity gained through life experience, the idea of old age is generally feared in our Western culture.

The Bible’s perspective on aging stands in stark contrast to how we often feel about getting old. Proverbs 16:31 reminds us that “gray hair is a glorious crown”; reflecting on the honor and gift it is to live a long life. While we don’t want to lose our lives, we want to drink from the fountain of eternal youth and not face old age!

And though heaven promises wonderful things for our new bodies, God has designed us in a way that we need to graciously accept that “outwardly we are wasting away”, reassured by the truth that “inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV).

7 Fears About Getting Old

In order to get to the point where we can rejoice in this season, we often need to work through some fears about getting old. These include:

The fear of aging and the realization of mortality

This fear is a general fear of getting old, and the realization that we are mortal and will die one day. Most of the time, people live in denial of the reality of the progression of time and how it wears on our bodies and minds; we simply don’t think it will happen to us until the signs start to appear, and fear and horror take over.

When this happens, fight the fear with Isaiah 46:4, which says: “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” This reminds us that God has been with us from the very beginning of our lives and, even though the aging process can be scary, God will be with us through it all. While we might have felt self-sufficient in the days of youth, the reality has always been that God has carried us.

The fear of changes and decisions

Getting old means making changes, and these come with decisions. These decisions could relate to where we live, when we downsize, or whether we choose to move closer to our children and grandchildren.

Getting old can make us lose confidence in our decision-making ability, but once again God’s word reassures us: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8, NIV) Even though decisions can seem harder and more overwhelming in old age, we can always rely on the Lord to help us make difficult decisions.

The fear of insufficient finances

Many people fear getting old because of what it will mean for their financial status. It’s daunting to consider not being able to work and earn an income, and to have to live on whatever pension or savings one has made for retirement. While some may retire comfortably, and others less so, this fear of running out of money can be scary.

The Bible combats this fear with numerous verses about God’s abundant provision to his people. Romans 8:32 reminds us: “He [God] who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” While it is right to save and make provision for getting old, God does not want us to fear being unprovided for, when He ultimately is the One who gives us what we need.

The fear of loneliness

Getting old can be lonely; especially if one’s spouse passes away, and there aren’t family members living close by. As Christians, we have the wonderful privilege of access to family members wherever we find a local church, and the hope is that these “hands and feet of Jesus” love God and love others enough to include lonely elderly people.

In addition to a church community, the fear of loneliness can be overcome by reflecting on what it means to have Jesus as our closest friend, and knowing, as Jesus says in Matthew 28:20: “Behold, I am with you always.” To truly feel comforted by God’s presence is a gift that will help with the fear of loneliness.

The fear of purposelessness

The idea of getting old and not having work to immerse oneself in, or children to care for, can evoke fear of purposelessness and a lack of focus. Certainly, this is a real source of anxiety for people who have had rich and busy careers.

Many older people, however, find new ways to direct their energies, and ways to serve that they might not previously have had the time or capacity for. God has prepared each of us with good works to do, and if we pray to Him to show us what these good works in our advancing age look like, He will be sure to direct us.

The fear of illness and incapacitation

As our bodies age and wear out, ailments and afflictions creep in, and this too is a scary prospect. While we might do our best to keep fit and in good shape as we steward our bodies, the reality is that we are living in a broken world where the process of wasting away can be painful and unpleasant.

As we navigate the suffering that can come with getting old, we can keep in mind that this pain is not for nothing, but that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5, NIV)

The fear of death

Getting old means we’re inching closer to sure death; it is, along with taxes, one of life’s certainties. As Christians, it might not be death itself that we fear, as we hold on to the true promise of the afterlife and eternity with God Himself. The actual dying process, however, can seem a bit scary, as it’s often not pretty.

As we reflect on this fear, we can remind ourselves that God will be with us, and, just as He’s given us grace for every moment of the life He’s given us, so too will He give grace for those dying moments. We can face death boldly and give God glory by showing our trust and excitement in getting to meet our maker.

As we face getting older and continuing along life’s journey, we can fear losing faith; and wondering if we’ll make it to heaven. Becoming more mature in faith doesn’t mean you’re safe from the devil and his attacks; the battle is not over until your dying day. He will continue his onslaught of lies, making us feel useless and not valuable in our old age. He will attack our faith, and we need to be prepared to stand firm.

Finding Support

The promise in Philippians 1:6 is one to allay these fears of falling away, as we rejoice in the fact that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” At the end of the day, it’s God who is holding us, not the other way around. In that, we can have great peace; a peace that will help overcome any fears we have about getting old.

If you’re looking for additional support related to your fears about getting old or other concerns, please reach out to our reception team at Texas Christian Counseling to schedule an appointment.