Answers

Q:

After I retired six months ago, we moved to a different part of the country. We'd been looking forward to it for a long time, but I'm afraid we haven't been very happy here. We haven't made any friends, and we almost wish we were back home. Did we make a mistake?


A:

I don’t know whether or not you made a mistake by moving to a different part of the country after you retired, but six months may not be enough time to get adjusted to a new situation. In other words, don’t make any hasty decisions based only on a few months’ experience.

Instead, sit down and list what you don’t like about your situation–and what you do like, as well. Then ask God to help you find ways to overcome the things you don’t like. For example, friendships don’t just happen; you have to be around other people, and you have to make an effort to get acquainted with them.

One of the best ways to do this is through a church–one where you can not only grow closer to God but also to other people. Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and then ask Him to help you find a church where He is central. Don’t just show up for worship once a week, but get involved in a Bible study or some other activity where you will meet people (as well as grow spiritually). The Bible says, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7).

As a footnote, I’ve found that many people make careful financial plans for retirement, but surprisingly few think through some of the other problems they’ll probably face. Retirement is a major adjustment, and you need God’s wisdom to deal with it.