Retirement 2: Planning of Finances, Purpose & HealthSample

Retirement: Your Health

Although finances may come up as the top result from online searches for retirement planning, the topic of health is by far more important to each of us, especially as we age.

Health is the gift of life from God that we take for granted until we lose it.

Walking, talking, eating, and even going to the toilet are generally events that we don’t even think about – much less thank God for – until something happens and we lose the ability to do these. Then it’s a panic attack, and we’re on our knees asking God for help.

As we age, each of us will succumb to some disease, accident, or disability that will take away what we may have take for granted. And, as we are affected by these, we have perhaps the greatest opportunity yet to impact others in a way like never before. After all, people are watching, especially those close to us. How we react to changes in our health or limitations to our ability speaks louder about our faith and beliefs than anything we might ever say.

For example, right around my 65th birthday, I fell ill with an undiagnosed condition, underwent every kind of imaginable medical test, and spent five days in hospital – all with no result, while the condition just kept worsening and doctors kept scratching their heads. Things finally settled down, but along the way, there was plenty of uncertainty and real concern by friends and family.

About six months after the onset of my condition, a different challenge came up, and my response to that situation caused my friend to blurt out that I had a “crazy faith” – a faith so strong, so real, and so effective that she wanted it too.

This caught me off guard. Was I so special? Did God bring about such a change in my life? What made her think my faith was so special that she wanted it too?

I didn’t think I said anything about it, but I guess my reaction to my health challenges spoke volumes about my beliefs and faith to her.

You can read more about this in the YouVersion reading plan called 4 Steps to a Crazy Faith Strong Enough for Any Situation. But the point is that HOW you react to changes to your health or limitations to your ability speaks louder than you ever can verbalize.

Like most everything in life, we must be intentional about who we are seen to be and the impact we leave behind. And so, part of your retirement planning needs to include deciding how you will navigate what’s ahead for your health. There are a few choices:

Cranky Old Woman or Grumpy Old Man:

You’ve surely met these characters already, and mostly we want to avoid them. God is not glorified by their behavior, neither is their legacy one that helps build His Kingdom. Best not to be like these; but decide intentionally to finish life on a better note.

Be Strong; No Complaints:

These old folks seem like solid oaks next to the deep waters, but they bear no fruit. It’s hard to know what they’re really thinking and so their legacy is a silent one – one that doesn’t inspire or pass on a faith to live by.

Be Joyful; Radiate an Inner Peace:

This, of course, is how we want to finish – to be joyful no matter what the circumstance. To inspire those that are watching in a way that glorifies God and builds His Kingdom by passing the torch to the next generation with a fire that never goes out.

The secret to being joyful even when times are tough are expressed by the Apostle Paul: prayer & thanksgiving always!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Retirement is full of choices, but let’s not overlook what may be the most important choice of all – the final note of our life’s symphony. For it is that final note of our last chapter that determines not only how we are remembered, but how well we reflected God’s goodness and glory through all of our life.

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We hope this reading plan helps you sort out your retirement plans. For more readings, please like this or for additional retirement resources, visit our website or search for other plans authored by Roland Heersink in the YouVersion app. Blessings to you!