From Proverbs to Practical: God’s Wisdom and Your Health in Everyday Life
When you spend a great deal of time serving others, taking care of yourself can often feel like an afterthought.
But is that what God asks of us?
NO, God wants you to take care of yourself. He wants you stay healthy in your mind, body, and soul.
Between work and family responsibilities, going after our dreams and visions, tending to our faith community needs, and other day-to-day tasks that pile up quickly - it’s easy to get overwhelmed and neglect our own well-being in the process. One of the spaces most overlooked is physical health.
Thankfully the Proverbs 31 woman gives us a reminder.
According to Proverbs 31:17 AMP “She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.”
This verse hints at something far greater than simply forgetting about or ignoring our own health while caring for those around us.
Proverbs 31 Woman – Who She Was and What We Can Learn from Her
The Proverbs 31 woman is often seen as a role model for women of faith. But who was she exactly, and what can we learn from her?
The Proverbs 31 woman was actually a woman described to King Lemuel by his mother as one to be sought after. His mother understood that the best benefit to a household was a woman who had a relationship with God and took that wisdom into daily application.
This woman in the verses of Proverbs 31 is described as diligent, charitable, and wise in the bible verses that detail her life. One aspect of her life that is often overlooked, however, is her approach to health.
In the bible verse that reads, "She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong" (Proverbs 31:17), we see that she prioritized her physical health and well-being.
She understood that in order to care for her family and fulfill all of her many God-given responsibilities, she needed to take care of herself first.
Somewhere in the midst of setting priorities, planning, being an entrepreneur and mentor, she built up her own strength so she could continue being her best self.
The Bible doesn’t go into detail as to how she built up her strength, but we can glean from the text that it was a combination of prioritizing faith and stewarding her temple.
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What Lesson Can We Learn from the Proverbs 31 Woman?
When we read the passages of Proverbs 31:10-31, we likely feel intimidated or inspired. This woman had everything most people want and a great reputation to go with it.
If we tried to mimic her without consulting God, we might end up on a journey to no where. The Bible doesn’t say she got up everyday and conquered everything, but it does speak more to a consistency that came from character building.
The scriptures describe her as a woman who is both active and diligent, with “arms strong for her tasks”. This tells us that she understood the need to keep her body strong and ready, not just for her sake, but for the many she served.
Her strength and stamina can be seen as symbolic representations of the benefits of a balanced lifestyle.
Drawing from her example, we are reminded that our bodies are instruments granted to us by God. We should cherish and maintain them, not just for aesthetic reasons but because they enable us to do God’s work on Earth.
Emulating the Proverbs 31 woman means understanding that physical health is a foundational aspect of a purposeful and service-driven life.
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It implies a regular rhythm of work and rest, an understanding of when to exert oneself and when to rejuvenate.
The foods she selects, the early morning hours she rises, and her dedication to her household and fields suggest a disciplined approach to well-being.
Moreover, in a time when women's roles were primarily domestic, the Proverbs 31 woman exemplifies the importance of physical labor and staying active. She didn't have our modern gym facilities or wellness programs, but her daily routines inherently incorporated physical activities, showing us that a healthy lifestyle is achievable even within the confines of our day-to-day responsibilities.
Drawing from her example, we are reminded that our bodies are instruments granted to us by God. We should cherish and maintain them, not just for aesthetic reasons but because they enable us to do God’s work on Earth. Emulating the Proverbs 31 woman means understanding that physical health is a foundational aspect of a purposeful and service-driven life. By tending to our own well-being, we ensure that we remain steadfast, resilient, and ever-ready to serve and glorify God in all our endeavors.
God’s Wisdom and Your Health in Everyday Life
Drawing from her example, we are reminded that our bodies are instruments granted to us by God. We should cherish and maintain them, not just for aesthetic reasons but because they enable us to do God’s work on Earth.
Emulating the Proverbs 31 woman means understanding that physical health is a foundational aspect of a purposeful and service-driven life.
By tending to our own well-being, we ensure that we remain steadfast, resilient, and ever-ready to serve and glorify God in all our endeavors.
Here’s a few practical things we can do:
Take Time to Rest and Recharge
In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves constantly on the go, striving to do more and be more. This zealous drive, while commendable, mirrors our society's underlying belief that our worth is determined by our productivity.
While this drive to succeed can be incredibly motivating, it can also be draining, both mentally and physically. That's why taking time to rest and recharge is so essential.
Rest, in its many forms, is a divine gift.
Even God, after the magnificent work of creation, took a day of rest (Genesis 2:2-3). This act wasn’t because of His fatigue, for God doesn’t tire, but rather to set an example for us.
By setting aside time for rest, we not only rejuvenate our bodies but also allow time to draw closer to God, leaning on His strength and soaking in His peace.
Learn Practical Ways to Care for Your Body
Understanding our bodies as sacred vessels, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, imparts a deep sense of responsibility.
This insight demands that we consciously adopt and nurture health-promoting habits. After all, this physical body is the vehicle that executes what God places in our heart and mind to do for others.
We can do practical things like paying attention to our diet, drinking sufficient amounts of water daily, and be purposeful about physical movement.
Consider food sources that fuel you over a highly processed diet that will eat away at your energy and long-term health. Similarly, integrating regular physical activities, whether it's a brisk walk, a daily workout, or simply stretching exercises, helps maintain our body’s vitality and resilience.
But physical wellness isn’t solely about diet and exercise. The soulful act of rest also includes sound sleep, meditation, and short breaks during a hectic day.
These periods of relaxation fortify our minds, allowing us to tackle challenges with renewed energy and clarity.
Develop a Plan to Stay the Course Despite Setbacks
Besides being aware of practical ways to care for our bodies, we must also plan for success.
When we encounter obstacles or failures, it's easy to get discouraged and give up.
But, every journey, including the pursuit of physical health, will encounter its fair share of obstacles and setbacks.
The Proverbs 31 woman teaches us about perseverance and unwavering commitment. We can draw inspiration from her and proactively develop a well-thought-out plan.
One way to do this is to set clear, attainable goals and having contingency strategies in place for when challenges arise.
We can also remember that setbacks are merely temporary pauses, not permanent stops.
We are called to serve in our homes and communities and to care for others.
The Proverbs 31 woman can provides a beautiful example of how to balance our obligations with taking time moments of rest and refueling.
By building these habits into our daily routines we can better care for ourselves both physically and spiritually, thus facilitating a healthier mindset where we can better serve God and His people.
We must learn that it is ‘OK’ to pause and refuel.
What small change can you make today to move towards a healthier you?
