Balance focuses in life. Successful aging seems to be a balancing act among self, others, and God. Jesus helps us with this priciple in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Develop a positive mindset. Successful aging means we see the opportunities in life rather than life lost.

Develop relationships. Invest yourself not only in friendships, but also in caring for others in verifiable ways. In 1 Corinthians 12:25, the church members were encouraged to “…have the same care one for another.” Without a social network, we are incomplete.

Learn something new all the time. Growing minds and hearts have a very positive influence on aging. God commanded us in 2 Peter 3:18 to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Become a mentor. Life offers many experiences, both positive and negative. Find younger adults who are willing to partner with you and become their mentor.

Accept some realities. Here are some realities that must be faced: Smoking and alcohol abuse are destructive to good health. A poor diet can destroy our bodies. Without God, we are lost. Cholesterol and stress influence the quality and length of life. The Bible contains God’s plan for successful living.

Play. Most of us as youngsters were told to grow up and assume adult responsibilities. We need to regain the ability to play and have fun not only alone, but also with others. Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Get physical. Everyone needs physical activity, regardless of age and physical limitations. It was said of Jesus in Luke 2:52 that He “…increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

Learn from the past without dwelling on it. Mistakes are part of life. Mistakes become tragic in two ways: when we fail to learn from them and when we relive them constantly. Grow from the mistakes by integrating the lessons learned while discarding the mistake itself. In Philippians 3:13, the Apostle Paul said, “…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…”

Walk daily with God. Godly friendships do not replace friendship with God. Daily spiritual development is a lifelong process, one that does not end at retirement. The Bible says it very plainly in James 4:8, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
Successful aging includes a vibrant faith in God’s ability to help us through life. After all, if you are a Christian, what does “age” mean to a person who is going to live forever?