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Inspired or Expired? 7 Ways to Encourage Those in Midlife and Beyond

What word best describes how you feel about the midlife years—inspired or expired?

We’re used to everything having an expiration date. Does that apply to people too?

A study by the Pew Research Center states that “for most people, middle age is the most demanding and stressful time of life.”1 Does that surprise you?

This group of individuals is confronted by many hard realities just when they think life should be getting easier. Divorce rates for those 50 and over have more than doubled over the last two decades, rising to the highest level on record.2 Researchers have coined a phrase to describe the breakup of these long-term marriages—gray divorce.

Other hard realities include regrets and disappointments, financial difficulties, health issues, struggles with adult children, demands of caring for aging parents and a loss of faith.

Dealing with life’s hardships is nothing new. Past generations have done that. What’s unique for today’s midlifers is managing problems that are more severe because of unprecedented societal breakdown and technological change. As a result, those in this life stage are at a high risk of buckling under the pressure and derailing.

Others may be ready for a little “retirement narcissism” by stepping away from the hassles of life. I’ve heard of couples intentionally living several hours away from their grown kids and grandkids so they could avoid having to help out or babysit so much.

Either way, it can feel like all that remains is to add an “expired” sticker and pull these lives off the shelf.

Before those stickers are applied, the irony is that the midlife season (and beyond) also represents the years of greatest influence in a person’s life. The hard realities, the pull of “retirement narcissism” and expanded influence coexist at the same time! It’s just hard to see when you’re in the middle of it.

The baby boomers were part of the rebellious 1960s generation that rejected authority, threw off moral restraint and led the culture away from God’s standards. Wouldn’t it be amazing if God were to use them at the other end of their life to point younger generations back to Himself?

Who will speak to these midlifers and place an “inspired” sticker on their lives? The hard realities they face can be successfully navigated and overcome. Their desire to get away from it all can be changed. They just need someone to show them the way.