Giving Advice to Your Younger Self

Have you ever been asked the question, “What advice would you give to your younger self?” Hmm. How would you answer?

Recently, I was sent this question in a short list of questions I was given to prepare for an upcoming podcast interview. I’m wanting to discuss my book, A Traveler’s Guide through Suffering and Joy, but first I’ll be asked some questions about my life.  Actually, the interviewers are looking to hear interesting life stories of faith more than they are interested in discussing the contents of a book.  I agreed to the interview, hoping that telling some of my story will be a platform to tell about my book, which will be the last topic of our conversation.  I don’t think that I can answer their questions about my life without referring to themes in my book. The last of the provided questions before discussing the book is about giving advice to one’s younger self.

This sounds like a currently popular and clever way to offer advice to others while revealing something of the arc of your own growth.  So I’ve been simmering on possible replies.

At first I came up with three points, and then ideas started flowing. Here are some possible points I’ve brainstormed (few of which will probably be discussed):

1. Do not be surprised by trials (I Peter 4:12-13), but aim to be prepared (“gird up the loins of your mind”) for challenges of all sizes (I Pet. 1:13). (All of these points need to be unpacked with stories, but not today.)
2. Put your confidence in the character of God; this is the work of faith.
3. Accept that some wounds, no matter how you’ve tried to address them, will never heal properly in this life. Yet, many will heal properly.
4. Following biblical principles will not shield you from harm, but with the Spirit’s help, follow them anyway as best you can.
5. Don’t assume that others think the way you do. Seek to understand how they think and operate.
6. Release your need to be understood. Anyone not seeking to understand you will not, and only those seeking to be close or somewhat close to you will care to understand you. Don’t pressure anyone to understand you; seek to understand them, and share your understanding when someone unlocks their door of interest.
7. Accept Abel’s encouragement: His name means “vapor/breath.” He appears to have lived a short life.  Hebrews 11:4 tells of the eternal value and witness of that short life that pleased God and still speaks.  Simple obedience is enough.
8. Recognize the shalom and joy planted within your suffering.

All of these advice points I needed when I was young and younger (and my need only increases with age). Most of them I understood in some general or fuzzy way. Yes, it is experience that folds God’s wisdom into the dough of our lives and releases it to grow us up.

The main motive to share such advice I’d give to myself with others is related to the Apostle Paul’s advice/imperative given in I Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

I suppose I wrote my book for reasons such as these eight advice points, in order to help younger people be more prepared, to not be surprised at the messiness, heartache, and joy of life as they walk with Christ (Colossians 2:6-7).

Oh, Colossians 2:6 and I Peter 4:12-13 are the overarching theme verses of my book. I dedicated this book to my children and grandchildren. Each of them is the next, “younger self.”

Bottom line:

Eyes on Jesus.

Hey, get your eyes back on Jesus.

In Him, all will be well.