20’s:
Who am I as a man or a woman, and how am I different from my family of origin?
What am I going to do with my life?
Can I love, and am I lovable?
What part of me needs correcting?
What idea or person will I organize my life around (faith)?
30’s:
How do I prioritize all of the demands that are being made on my life?
How far can I go in fulfilling my ambitions? I may not be able to achieve all of my dreams.
Who is a part of my primary community?
What does my spiritual life look like? Do I even have one? This can be the driest of spiritual times in life.
Why am I not a better person?
40’s:
What were the influences that informed me?
Why do some people seem to be doing better than I do?
Why am I so often disappointed with myself and others?
Why are limitations beginning to outnumber options?
Why do I seem to face so many uncertainties?
50’s:
Why is time moving so quickly?
Why is my body becoming unreliable?
How do I deal with failures and successes because they are beginning to accumulate? How do these affect my soul? How do I manage these?
Who are these young people that want to replace me?
What am I going to do with my doubts and my fears? There is a lot more to be afraid of and doubt: spiritually, financially, etc.
60’s:
When do I have to stop doing the things that have defined me? How will I know when it is time to stop?
Whom will I die with? Who are the friends that are close to us because of who we are, not because of what we do?
Why do I feel ignored by a large part of the population?
What will be my spiritual legacy? What will I pass on to other people? How will I be remembered?
What is left undone in my life?
What does old age look like?
70’s/80’s:
Does anybody remember who I once was?
How much of my life can I still control?
What can I contribute in the world?
Why do I feel angry and irritable?
Is God really there?
Am I ready to face death?
Will I be missed when I am dead?
For more information read Gordon MacDonald, A Resilient Life (Nashville: Nelson Books, 2005).
Make a Difference in Someone's Life
If you enjoy reading WGA’s blogs and would like to show your support, please consider making a donation. Where Grace Abounds is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The majority of services, including support groups and discipleship counseling, are provided free of charge. Your financial gifts help to cover the costs associated with offering a free program to those who seek WGA’s services.