Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Age brings with it trials: illness, loss, loneliness and anxiety, to name just a few. These are not good things. In and of themselves, they are nothing to be joyous about. And yet, these trials provide a new and unique time and place for faith to be found.

Very few of us will choose as a young person to release much of our hold on the riches of this life, in conscious response to the need of our fellow man and woman and knowing Christ gave up all for our sake. But all of us, eventually, will find ourselves being disrobed, piece by piece, of the glories of the garments of life. How will we react to this surrendering of the riches of this life? In resignation, in bitterness, or with faith? Will we react in disbelief, or as a follower of Jesus, the Christ.

God does not abandon us in old age, any more than Christ was abandoned in the Garden of Gethsemane. Persevere and find joy in God. Christ has won the victory and he holds a crown of triumph and life for us too, only waiting for us to cross the finishing line before awarding the prize.