FACING THE FORK IN THE ROAD

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

Jeremiah 17:7

What Is a Midlife Crisis?

What Are Characteristics of Midlife Crisis?

What Are Causes of Midlife Crisis?

• Midlife is considered to be the middle ages in life ranging anywhere from approximately thirty-five to sixty.

• A midlife crisis is an unstable, crucial time of life during middle age when a person feels the immediate necessity to reevaluate one’s identity, values and goals.
• A midlife crisis may occur at the time of transitional changes in a person’s life.
• The resulting change can be negative or positive, depending on the choices that are made. 

Midlife Crisis Checklist

• I feel trapped in my circumstances.
• I wish I could disappear.
• I feel I am getting old too fast.
• I feel I’ve never had the chance to do what.
• I really wanted to do.
• I regret past decisions.
• I feel like a failure.
• I don’t feel I’m really needed. 
• I feel unappreciated.
• I don’t have any real purpose for living.
• I have grown spiritually numb to the Lord and the church.
• I daydream and fantasize.
• I find myself shirking my responsibilities.
• I have little interest in sex with my spouse.
• I am easily angered.
• I mistrust the motives of those close to me.
• I feel that now is my last chance for happiness. 

“Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

(James 1:8)

Characteristics of Midlife Crisis

Emotional

• Sense of loss
• Self-pity
• Anger
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fear of aging
• Self-doubt
• Burnout
• Feeling trapped
• “Now or never” mentality or sense of urgency

“Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.”

(Psalm 102:1–2)

Behavioral

• Strong desire for change (marriage, job, appearance)
• Attempts to escape (TV, drugs, travel, sleep)
• Dressing in a youthful manner
• Preoccupation with physical body (appearance, health)
• Vulnerability to sexual attraction outside marriage
• Personality changes
• Lack of church attendance and spiritual growth
• Withdrawal from close relationships
• Negative outlook on life
• Seeking to complete unfulfilled goals (education, children,
• career)

“I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.’”

(Psalm 55:6–8)

Causes of Midlife Crisis

• Thoughts of one’s own mortality
• Reassessment of lifelong goals and values
• Achievement of goals but not finding fulfillment
• Normal biological and physiological changes
• Sexual drive (diminishes in the male, increases in the female)
• Insufficient financial resources
• Traumatic illness or death of parents, family, or close friends
• Identity misplaced (in a person, a job, or social status)
• Offspring at difficult age and/or leaving home
• Narrowing of job opportunities
• Social emphasis on youth

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Move from Crisis to Christ

• Who am I? (1 John 3:1)
• What is my purpose in life? (Romans 12:1–2)
• To whom do I really want to give myself? (Matthew 22:37–39)
• What do I want to do for the rest of my life? (Psalm 40:8)
• Where does God fit into my life? (Psalm 23:1–6)
• What does God do with my wrong choices? (Lamentations 3:22–23)
• Where does my hope ultimately lie? (Psalm 62:5–8)

Model a Positive Midlife Message

• I will regard midlife as different, not inferior. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
• I will realize the advantages of aging. (Job 12:12)
• I will accept the physical changes that are happening to me.(Isaiah 40:31)
• I will evaluate my life purpose. (Colossians 1:10)
• I will set goals for new challenges. (Isaiah 32:8)
• I will aim for sincere love in my relationships. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)
• I will focus on creatively communicating love to others. (John 13:34)
• I will determine to make the most of the time God gives me.(Psalm 90:12)
• I will listen for God’s direction in my life. (Proverbs 16:9)
• I will recognize God’s presence in my life. (Colossians 1:27)

Key Verses to Learn

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

(Jeremiah 17:7)

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

(Isaiah 43:2)

Key Passage to Read

2 Samuel 11:1–26

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God desires to give you hope as you face life challenges, problems and difficult trials. The good news for us, God specializes in redemption and transformation. He takes that which was lost and restores it. He takes that which was dead and gives it life. He takes that which had no hope and rewrites its story. This is our God! As you pray today, ask God boldly to transform the thing inside you that you want to see changed forever!

Thank you for your interest and support in Women of Faith. We pray God will encourage, equip, and empower you with His life-changing truth.

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