Letting It Go Gray

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31, ESV).

Jeff buried his head in his hands. What a day! His teenager had been sullen and uncommunicative at breakfast, answering inquiries with grunts and monosyllables.

His boss met him first thing in the office and berated him for forgetting a tiny, insignificant detail. Then his wife phoned him and whined about his lack of generosity.

“These people,” Jeff thought, “are going to give me gray hair!”

We all joke about getting gray hair from hard times. Or for men, there is the fear that frustrations will make us lose hair.

“I don’t mind letting my hair go gray,” we say, “I just don’t want to let my hair go!”

In reality, of course, we would as soon neither took place. However, the Bible suggests that gray hair is a sign of something rich and wonderful, wisdom. Perhaps those hard times teach us something, give us depth and character, humility and insight.

Of course, gray hair may simply stand for age, not wisdom. The critical question is not will you have tough times (this is a guarantee for all those with a pulse), but will you learn from those difficulties?

If so, wear that gray hair like a crown!

by Stan Mitchell