Have you ever heard of the phrase First World Problems? Merriam-Webster defines this phrase as:
First World Problems - “a usually minor problem or annoyance experienced by people in relatively affluent or privileged circumstances especially as contrasted with problems of greater social significance facing people in poor and underdeveloped parts of the world”
Most people audibly say this phrase sarcastically when someone is complaining about a minor inconvenience that pales in comparison to problems faced in third-world countries.
Here’s a list of common First World Problems:
Slow internet access
Phone battery dying
Calls from scammers
No WiFi
No one replaced the toilet paper roll
Commercials
Coffee going cold
Chipped nail polish (wink wink)
Long lines at Disney World
The list goes on and on. I bet you’re thinking of a few right now!
Well, I’m coming up on an age that admittingly has me a little bummed out – Dirty 30. I know, I know. Turning 30 isn’t that old, but it's a reminder that I can’t stay young forever. My wife has been my rock through my struggles, telling me that growing old is a privilege that not everybody gets to enjoy. She also reminds me daily of her desire to grow old with me. It’s comments like these that put everything into perspective - Why am I bummed about getting older?
I'm realizing being upset about getting older is selfish and a "first world problem". Many tragic circumstances are plaguing our world today, yet I'm worried about aging? Sure, it’s human nature to be sad about getting up in years, but if you’re reading this and you're above age 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or even 100; count it all joy! God has given you the gift of life.
2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
We are being renewed day by day. Amen!
Lately, I’ve been trying to force personal goals before I turn 30. When I started my journey of sports writing, I kept telling myself, “If I can write for website "X" before I turn 30, I’ll have made it.” I religiously replayed this quote in my head at age 27, 28, and 29 as if turning 30 was the end all be all to my goals. I’m here to tell you – it's not.
There shouldn’t be a hard deadline to achieving your goals. Set your goals, pray, then give it everything you got! Just because you don’t achieve a specific goal before age "X" doesn’t mean you stop fighting for it. Keep going!
If you DO desire to put a deadline on a goal as motivation, please don't make it age-specific. Everything is in God's timing, and His timing is perfect. I assure you, there will be days where you want to give up and move on, but I urge you to trust God and keep trying. It's possible God is re-routing your path or even grooming you for something unforeseen (Jeremiah 29:11)! No matter what age you are or where you're at in life, I truly believe the best is yet to come. Don't lose hope.
On a personal note, God has helped me accomplish many of my goals/dreams before age 30. My beautiful and supportive wife, Taylor, is EVERYTHING I asked God for and SO MUCH MORE. She’s given me a daughter (shout out to Calli) and a son who’s due on July 19th! My relationships with my mom, dad, brother, sister and close friends have never wavered, despite being spread out across the country. I have my Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from Colorado Christian University and the University of Colorado Boulder, respectively. I get to teach English as a Second Language as my primary job and write for Fantasy Pros, RotoWire, and New Life Fantasy on the side. My goals and dreams don't stop here, though.
If you’re reading this, please know I‘m praying for you. In this life, we deal with the trials of sickness, tragedy, natural disasters, and cruelty. But God has equipped us with the strength necessary to walk through it ALL with peace.
We can’t stop ourselves from getting older, BUT we can take advantage of the time we have left on earth to make an impact. No matter what age you are; set your goal(s), pray, and take solace in knowing that God has overcome the world (John 16:33) and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:15). You got this!
I'll leave you with one of my favorite lyrics from Judah & the Lion:
Raise your hands
Take a second and breathe in
Singin’ I’m here for a reason
Raise your hands
Take a second and breathe in
Singin’ hallelujah I’m known and loved
May God bless all of you!
Jacob W. Dunne
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