Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

 

 

Growing old is hard on many levels.  We have to accept the sad fact; we aren’t what we use to be.

 

Most of us come stumbling into our 60’s with some minor aches and pains that seem to worsen with time. We keep pressing in believing we can still do everything we could do when we were young, only to discover that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

 

A few years ago, I thought just because I had the energy to walk about nine miles, that it was a good idea. WRONG. I put so much strain on my hip joints I didn’t think I would ever be able to heal and walk without pain.

 

So many times, when I am getting ready to do something I CAN do, I will hear the Lord say, “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”

 

As we age, we MUST give up many activities we have done without effort all of our lives:  cycling, running, excessive walking, sports, lifting heavy loads, etc.

 

If we expect to be able to walk and live life without pain, we must give up many things we love to do.

 

This morning I was talking to a friend who is a healthy strong 75-year-old who almost lost her right foot two years ago in a horrible car accident.  Luckily, she can walk without a lot of pain, but she has had to give up things she loved. She had to give up snow skiing and horseback riding that she LOVED. However, being strong and able to lift 35 pounds, she decided to unload 35 bags of mulch weighing 35 pounds each. Guess what—she injured her neck by putting so much strain on her body.

 

Once again, just because we can doesn’t mean we should.

 

It is frustrating and makes us angry that we cannot do what we use to do.  Many people in their 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s and beyond have had multiple back surgeries, knee surgeries, and hip replacements.

 

What does it take for us to learn “it’s over” and give it up while we are still ahead?

 

In younger years, I was always in a hurry moving fast, multitasking, but as I aged this kind of behavior makes me prone for injury.  We trip and fall. We miss a bottom step and take a hard hit. We get on a ladder we should never even consider climbing, and we fall. We let a big dog drag us down some steps and across the front yard. We drive too fast. We pick up things that are much too heavy for us. We do too much housework or yardwork and end up with sciatica and can’t walk. The list goes on and on.

 

Life as we have always loved it and known it is over as we age.  Wisdom says “things have to change” if you want to live a long and healthy pain-free life. It’s time to ……… 

 

We must seek the Lord about everything we do to make sure He has given us permission. If you will ask Him, He will tell you what to do. He needs you healthy to be about His business.

 

Remember, just because you can doesn’t mean you SHOULD.

 

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