"Invisible Woman Syndrome." You may not have heard the term, but you most likely have experienced it. Defined as a feeling of being overlooked and unimportant in American society, invisible woman syndrome is what we experience when our adult children don't call, when stores don't carry clothes to fit our menopausal bodies, or when we keep our mouths shut because we worry about being labeled a "Karen." It's a fear that we have become irrelevant.

At midlife, we often become more aware of soul health as we have more time to reflect on how we have lived our lives and how we want to finish. How is your soul health, friend? Is your heart weighed down and discouraged today?

The mapping software on our phones is nothing short of amazing. I put in a destination and the map app gets me there, no matter how many wrong turns I take. If only we had the same app for midlife! I could put in my midlife destination--happy family, lots of grandkids, successful career, robust health--and day by day the app could tell me the shortest route to my dreams come true.

You see, God hasn't called us to seek comfort in the here and now, but to live courageously in these midlife years so that we can make a difference for Him! If that's our goal, we need to fix our eyes--and our praise--firmly on God rather than on our temporal circumstances.

No matter where I go or what happens around me, God is with me, God is helping me, and God is strengthening me. Therefore, I do not need to fear. Better yet, I resolve that I will not fear!

Did you think midlife would be those golden years where you reaped the bountiful harvest of all your hard work and faithfulness in years past? If you are experiencing that right now, praise God! If you are not, praise God anyway, but read on.

Ah, midlife! That season where we mark the years by the appearance of new wrinkles around our eyes and lines across our foreheads. In Psalm 42 & 43 we find that the experience of being face-to-face with God can uplift not only our hearts, but also our faces. No creams, needles, or surgical interventions required!

As I've moved through the seasons of life, I have come to deeply appreciate the blessings of midlife. There's wisdom that only comes with years, and two of the important lessons have been these: time can be more valuable than money and rest is good for the body and soul. Psalm 62 brings these lessons into focus with clarity and grace.

In the last 26 installments of our studies in the Psalms, we have journeyed together through Book One of the Psalms (made up of Psalms 1-41) and we are now ready to embark on Book Two of Psalms. According to scholars, Book Two, containing Psalms 42 through 72, parallels the book of Exodus and the journey of the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt to the establishment of the tabernacle.

A quick, God-focused response to any crisis is the key to preventing longterm despair and bitterness. But once we've struggled through the initial shock and have fixed our eyes firmly on our Savior for guidance, we soon find ourselves wondering, "How do I recover from this?" Great question! God wants to bring you through the valley of shadow and into rejoicing on the far side of each crisis we face, and Psalm 40 gives us some guidelines for getting there.

We've all heard of it, and we've probably all seen it: a midlife crisis strikes. Erratic behavior ensues: a flashy sports car appears in the driveway, fitness becomes an unhealthy obsession, the younger generation's fashion shows up on an aging body. Would it help to know in advance what a crisis feels like and how to make it through? God must think so because in Psalms 38, 39, and 40 He guided David to describe his own crisis experience and create a roadmap for walking th

Have you ever felt surrounded? Thankfully, few of us have been physically surrounded by enemies on all sides with no chance of escape. But what if I change the question a bit, and ask if you have ever felt spiritually surrounded, backed into a corner, or under attack? Psalm 36 reminds us that God has provided a safe haven for his people right here on earth, right in the middle of the struggle. That haven is His lovingkindness.

If you have ever climbed a steep trail to a mountaintop vista or hiked deep into the woods in search of a hidden waterfall, then you know the feeling of awe at the first sighting of your objective. There is a sudden hush of reverence that descends as you take in the beauty of God's creation. No words are needed because no words are adequate: silence is the only appropriate response.

Are you worn down by the demands and distractions of midlife? Do you need some encouragement from God? "Lord, do not keep silent," David says, "do not be far from me." More than anything in times of stress and strain, our souls need to hear from the One who is always near to those who follow Him.

Did you know that Generation X is the least likely to attend church or volunteer for church ministries? Seems like the midlife bunch is checking out of Christian lifestyle practices. But Psalm 32 encourages us to stay fruitful in these midlife years, especially if life is challenging right now! We are never too old to make a difference for God.

Devotional readings on Psalm 27, 28, and 138 Meditation Go to the Bible readings and reflection questions If my life is characterized by...

We usually tend to our own gardens and not our neighbors'. What if we should do the same thing in our own lives? In midlife, God is giving us permission to focus first on His purpose and vision for us!

Midlife sometimes feels like a journey through indignities. While growing older is better than the alternative, it's not always comfortable. Whether it's because of wrinkles, menopause weight gain, or just the feeling that one is invisible to the rest of society at this age, everyday life can take on a vague shadow of embarrassment for reasons not entirely in our control. But what if the feeling goes beyond petty concerns over our appearance? Psalm 25 offers us the antido

Once in a while a generation comes along that stands taller and stronger than the rest. That generation changes the orientation of a family toward God and goodness. So regardless of what the generation before me or the generation after me chooses, I must choose the Lord because my choice matters. And so does yours.

As Christians, we know we are supposed to live lives of praise, but we often struggle to keep our minds and hearts focused on God's blessing

At my current stage of life, Easter speaks loudly of the deep hope I have in the grace of God. I still love the trappings and traditions, but the meaning behind them shines through brighter each year.

Do you struggle with having a vibrant prayer life? I do. But then I opened up Psalm 20. . .

Devotional Readings Focused on Psalm 19 and 104 for the Fourth Week of March: Finding Joy in God's Revelation Meditation on God's...

Devotional readings focused on Psalm 18, 23 and 118 for the fourth week of March. Meditation Skip to the Bible readings and reflection...

Devotional readings focused on Psalm 17 and 78 for the third week of March. Meditation Skip to the Bible readings and reflection...

What Psalm 16 says about learning to delight in God's provision There is something special about wrapping up in a fuzzy blanket in front of a roaring fire and just soaking up a moment of contentment. Husband Jack and I love to escape to a cabin in a snowy wood and enjoy a weekend of coffee, stars, and conversation because it restores our sense of peace and well-being. I always bring a big velvety blanket along so we can warm up after a hike or a star-gazing session. Those

What Psalms 14 & 15 teach us about evaluating our own lives in the light of God's Word This week, many Christians will celebrate Ash Wednesday. If you were to attend an Ash Wednesday service, you would likely sing a hymn about repentance, participate in prayer and scripture reading describing the forgiveness and restoration offered through Christ, and finally you would go forward and kneel while the pastor drew a small cross on your forehead with a paste made from oil and th

As a young woman, I would read the imprecatory psalms and feel like they were describing a sentiment left over from a less civilized era. Surely the world had outgrown such barbarism! But the wisdom that comes with age and experience has informed my viewpoint: We need to be praying these psalms over our families and our world because evil is real. But so is God's grace!

The older I get, the easier I fall into a pattern of thinking that life is just, well, meh. I seem to have forgotten how to see the wonders of God's amazing creation. Psalm 8 reminds us to live with a sense of awe at God's good gifts all around us.

Do you ever feel like evil is winning? Everywhere I look I see a real-life, lived out conflict between good and evil.

In Psalm 6, David expressed his experience of waiting by asking God, "How long, O Lord?" If that question is on your heart, too, you are not alone.

If you are a parent of young adult children and you are worried about the proliferation of really bad life choices available to your kids in today's culture, this is for you! Psalm 5 gives us a blueprint for praying for the spiritual protection of our children and grandchildren daily.

Jesus says in Matthew, "Come to Me; all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (11:28, NIV). But for many of us in the midlife season, the idea of actual restful sleep seems like an impossible dream. But did you know that God's word speaks to our sleep quality?

Is midlife a time to be bold or to fade away? Society often overlooks the value of middle-aged women, but God never does!

Being blessed is a good thing! We want it for ourselves, for our husbands, children, grandchildren, parents and friends. But the Biblical definition of blessed goes way beyond having a good life. The Bible tells us that a blessed woman is the one who is steeped in God's word.