COURAGE for the UNKNOWN SEASON
Navigating What’s Next with Confidence and Hope
By Jan Silvious
Even though Jan Silvious titled her book, Courage for the Unknown Season, we know what that season is-the season of aging and its inevitable, relentless progression toward death.
We’ve seen it, some of us are already in it, and it can be a scary place, with many unknowns other than the end. Jan refuses to let aging intimidate her, and wrote this book to help others take on our fear of aging, loss, illness, disability, and death with confidence and hope.
She starts the book with a chapter titled “Resilience”, followed soon by “Fight Fear”. She advises us “Don’t Forget to Laugh”, and to “Clean Up after Yourself”- that is, deal with our personal possessions so our family doesn’t have to when we are gone.
I ‘m glad she offers practical tips on staying healthy that she learned from a physician friend. In the chapter “Head Toward Ninety” she lists several steps to maintain wellness-
- exercise
- adequate sleep
- health promoting food
- pursue a healthy mind and spirit
“READ, STAY CURIOUS, FORGIVE, DROP THE BITTERNESS, AND PURSUE PEACE.”
Jan Silvious
She points us to Psalm 92 from the Bible, and suggests meditating on it to gain a “wealth of spiritual health.”
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night,For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Later, she takes us by the hand, without mincing words about the pain we will experience with loss, and walks us through steps to navigate “Grief and Hope”.
Jan uses examples from her life, her family, friends, and colleagues of using our later years to cherish old memories while continuing to make new ones. She doesn’t try to convince us that aging isn’t painful, but encourages us to find new ways to find joy and fulfillment when the old ways are no longer possible.
Why you should read this book
Written especially for Baby Boomers-those of us born between 1946 and 1964- Courage for the Unknown Season offers sound advice and encouragement to anyone who wants to be prepared for aging. For those younger, it will help you understand and deal with the challenges your parents and grandparents are encountering now; but stow away a copy for 10, 20, 30 or more years when you will appreciate its wisdom for your own life.
I enjoyed reading it since I have or am experiencing much of what she discusses, and her perspective validates my own. For those things I have yet to encounter, I appreciate her suggestions and warnings.
“NO MATTER WHAT SEASON YOU ARE IN, THERE ARE TRUTHS THAT CAN HELP YOU APPROACH THE UNKNOWN WITH CONFIDENCE AND HOPE.
TRUST THAT GOD IS THE GOD OF OUR SEASON, NO MATTER WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, NO MATTER HOW UNKNOWN.”
Jan Silvious
the author
Jan Silvious
Disclosure: I read an advance review copy of this book which I received complimentary from Tyndale via NetGalley in return for writing a review.
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sharing the HEART of health with faith, hope, and love
watercress words by Dr Aletha 