Currently, it seems that ageism is increasing, or maybe because of social media, getting more awareness.
Ageism, according to Google, is defined as prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age.
It can show up in the discrimination of an elderly person applying for a job, the demonizing of young people when not understood, or the unrealistic expectations placed upon an older or younger woman.
It is scary that younger people are getting messages that they should have everything settled and figured out by 21 and that older people should stop living as soon they turn 60. Or that someone is even old at 35, 40, and there is nothing left in life for them. Assinine thinking. (This is not a license for young people to not apply themselves and start the work to figure things out or live recklessly. Nor is it a license for older people tolive recklessly and never mature mentally, emotionally, etc.)
We all, good Lord’s will, get older. Or are supposed to get older. If you wake up each day, getting older is inevitable. And it is NOT a bad thing. It is blessing. Some people leave this earth too soon. Moreover, some people’s dreams, goals and potential go to the grave without being brought to fruition or even to full capacity or total fulfillment.
And that part is disheartening.
So, remember, we all get older and it is a good thing. However, watching yourself change and evolve, moreso physically, can bring about a variety of emotions, and can be scary for some.
But don’t fret. Life gets better, yet.
And what gets better with age, you ask.
You.
Yes, you.
As you get maturer. As you become an adult. And as you become a grown grown person as some say, you should become better.
Not perfect. But better.
Your self awareness should be building. Your true confidence unlocking. You should be growing in wisdom. You should be more accountable and responsible. You should be busy living and not just existing. You should be awakening into the you, God created you to be.
So, with age, you get better. And life should get better. You are learning to live more authentic. You are healing. You are becoming more self-aware. You are unlearning some things to learn the right things. You are learning how to truly take care of you.
You have built up resilience and you have learned to persevere. And for some of us, you have learned when to rest and how to. You have set goals for yourself and maybe not all of them, but some of them. And you are realizing with age, it is not over yet.
Life is just beginning. Or you have come to the middle of your life where there is a plot twist, and you are in for a good treat. Especially with God leading the way.
There are times anxiety and the issues of life make me forget how big my God is and that He is God Almighty. Sometimes, I am riddled with so much fear and stress that I can feel powerless and lethargic in moving forward. Subsequently, my prayer life and ability to trust Jesus wanes, and I am left unable to see myself as the warrior God sees me as and unable to walk in His authority confidently. I have learned, however, that I don’t have to rely on my own strength to push through. In fact, apart from God I can do nothing. He is my strength. Everywhere I go, He is there. Every concern I have, He cares. Every need I have, He provides. With His armor, I can roar His Word through prayer. I am more than a conqueror and no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Before I present to you my poem, first read these scriptures and be encouraged.
Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14 AMP
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NLT No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NIV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Isaiah 25:4 NKJV
I recently finished watching Raising Dion, a science fiction/super hero series, in which a mom, who is grieving the loss of her husband, discovers her child has supernatural abilities and seeks to not only protect him but find out the mysteries surrounding her new normal. I was also elated to see a little black boy hero, Dion (Ja’Siah Young), one my nephews can see themselves in. Nonetheless, this series was so good and made me get emotional at times. Nicole’s character, (Alisha Wainwright) the mom, was such a force and relatable in her struggles. The dad, Mark (Michael B. Jordan), was such a force too as well as handsome. Oh and I love Esperanza (Sammi Haney), Dion’s friend, who is bound to a wheelchair but so full of life and character. I think it is awesome to see that representation also for kids who have disabilities. Everyone did an amazing job in this series. But one thing that jumped out to me that had me once again turning a scene or part of a film into a spiritual lesson to my nephew was about Pat (Jason Ritter). Warning: Spoiler Alert.
In Raising Dion, the integrity of Pat’s soul is compromised and corrupted, and I believe way before the storm enters his and Mark’s life. Observing closely, you realize that Pat has some insecurities and issues that fully surface towards the end of the series. And that is how I believe the storm was able to attach itself to him and over time weaken him. He became the Crooked Man.
I understand that everyone has been affected by evil in some way for we live in a broken world corrupted by sin and the enemy’s deception as well as all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I also believe we may ignorantly welcome it perhaps through sin and not guarding our hearts. Moreover, what happens when we get use to it and it feeds off of our pain and insecurities, the issues of our hearts? It fully corrupts us and weakens us. And it can cut us off from dwelling in the presence of God. It can cost us relationships and things that God has for us or has blessed us with. It can rob us of our potential and it can affect others around us. It can destroy us and rob us of our destinies.
But no one wants to be seized by the storm. So, if you are not on the winning team and don’t have the He in you that is greater than the he that is in the world, I encourage you to seek out the only Savior that can overcome not just the storm in your life, but has overcome this world and every evil spirit. Read Romans 10.
And let every believer of Jesus Christ saturate in the Word of God. Let us develop the fear of the Lord and start praying for a life in God’s presence. Let us also allow God to heal us and process us through His unfailing love and Word. Let us bind up, with the Word of God, authority of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, every demonic force in our lives and our children’s lives. The storm wants to rob our children of their destinies, potential, and gifts from God. Don’t give in to the storm or enemy because of convenience and because sometimes it is too tiresome to fight. And don’t be passive or even passive until the stuff hit the fan.
Learn to wage war now. And let us seek the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us and our children how to use our kingdom’s benefits and godly power. Let the Holy Spirit also accompany our children like Charlotte (Deirdre Lovejoy) who not only taught Dion how to use his powers but went invisibly yet greatly present with Dion to school. Sorry for any spoilers if you haven’t watched the series. It is on Netflix now.
So, what can we do to wage war against the storm seizing our lives and destinies? What must we do when evil spirits get comfortable in our lives and weaken us spiritually?
Receive salvation, an eternal, free gift from God. Read Romans 10.
Cover yourself and your family members with the blood of Jesus.
Pray daily.
Read and pray the Word of God.
See your opponent and sin through the eyes of God and fight accordingly as God leads and with the armor of God as a believer.
Pray for God to till the grounds of our souls, to break up the fallow ground in our hearts. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us, God, and heal us wholly.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your saving grace and unfailing love. Deliver us from evil. Help us hear Your Word for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Don’t let us prostitute our gifts or use them in a corrupted manner or at Your disapproval. Send people in our lives to teach us how to steward over these gifts properly and to give You honor. Help us to guard our children with the blood of Jesus and prayer. Help us to train them in Christ Jesus who is the Way and the Truth and Life. Suit us up in the armor of God and Father, forgive us of all our sins and for opening those doors we have opened willingly and unknowingly to the enemy. Let us value the things of the kingdom of God and godly relationships. Let us put You first and nurture our relationships with You. Holy Spirit, You are welcomed into our lives, homes, jobs, and families. Have Your way! Heal us and help us to trust You as You grow us up in the Lord. We bind up generational curses and strongholds in the name of Jesus. We bind up everything that is detrimental to our faith, relationships, health, destinies, and spiritual development. In Jesus’ name amen.
If you watched this series, what are some other spiritual lessons you were inspired to learn or take note of?
Tannika Nikeya 