Encouragement for Today

June 18, 2025 God Doesn’t Get Wrinkles CRYSTAL PAINE Lee en español

“Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the eternal God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary; and his understanding cannot be fathomed.” Isaiah 40:28 (ISV)

“Mom, are you going to die soon?” The question popped out of my 4-year-old's mouth yesterday while we were taking our daily walk.

“Why do you ask?” I inquired.

“Well, because you’re getting gray hair and getting old,” she answered matter-of-factly.

There's nothing quite like a 4-year-old to shoot it straight! But it got me thinking about how our culture fears growing old. The amount of money we spend to “turn back the clock” on the aging process is staggering.

Now, let me be clear: I wash and moisturize my face, wear foundation with SPF, and highlight my hair, so I am not against antiaging products! I’m 43, and I’ve sometimes struggled to embrace the inevitable aging markers I'm beginning to see in pictures or in the mirror. The wrinkles around my eyes and mouth. The gray hair framing my face. The pesky nose hairs I now have to pluck. (Why is this a thing as we get older?!)

And yet I’m also recognizing these signs of aging tell a story:

Of laughter and memories.
Of tears and heartbreak.
Of lessons learned.
Of healing and hope.
Of seeing God's faithfulness.

Wrinkles and gray hair represent growing and maturing. Making mistakes and asking for forgiveness. Being stretched beyond what I thought I was capable of. Seeing God's strength and goodness when I felt weak and inadequate.

Sometimes the story they tell is not the story I would have chosen, but I look back and see God's hand working throughout it. It’s better than any story I would have written for myself.

The wrinkles and gray hair are a testament to God sustaining me for all these years. As God said about His own faithfulness in Isaiah 46:4, “I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you. I created you. I will carry you and always keep you safe” (CEV).

While I grow older and my body continues to age, God is the same God. Just like we read in Isaiah 40:28: “Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the eternal God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary; and his understanding cannot be fathomed.”

When I see my wrinkles and gray hair, may I be reminded that my heavenly Father never ages or becomes exhausted. Most of all, He has been faithful, He is faithful, and He will be faithful.

Lord, thank You for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter what changes I see in my aging body, I know I can rely upon You and trust in You because You are a faithful and good God. Help me to rest fully in You today, and may my wrinkles and gray hairs continually serve as a reminder of how faithful You have been and will continue to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Need some reminders of how much you are loved and seen by God? In the first three chapters of Crystal Paine’s book Love-Centered Parenting, she shares her journey to understanding how much she is loved by God and how that radically changed her life. She gives you practical steps for how you, too, can rest in God’s love for you, deepen your relationship with Him, and live out of that love to bless everyone around you.

ENGAGE

To connect with Crystal and see behind the scenes of her very real and not-perfect life of trusting Jesus as a mom to six kids — college-aged to preschoolers, including one with significant disabilities — follow her on Instagram.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (NIV).

Is there an area in your life where you’re struggling to believe God is faithful? What’s one thing you can do today to help you remember to rely on His faithfulness? Share with us in the comments!

© 2025 by Crystal Paine. All rights reserved.