Proverbs 31 as a professional woman - Part 21
Dear loyal readers, I trust you’re blessed and highly favoured.
In today’s article, we will continue the discussion on success principle 6, which says that Proverbs 31 as a professional woman is “nourished and healthy – spirit, soul and body”.
Having previously discussed the practical aspects of the nourishment and health of her spirit and soul (see parts 14–20), I will focus exclusively on the subtopic of her body as a subcomponent of her overall nourishment and health.
Last week I briefly paused and reflected on 1 Kings 18 and 19 with a desire to reveal two things. Firstly, that God is interested in giving us both spiritual and physical rest (read Exodus 20:8, Hebrews 4:1-11 and Mark 2:27 as well). Secondly, that Elijah’s story in 1 Kings 19 is a reminder that sometimes you need to pause, rest, get nourishment, healing and strength for your body so that you can build a healthy resilience and not just keep pushing with an empty tank – read part 20 for more context.
This article was a personal conviction against many professionals who deem rest as something for the weak.
Why, you might ask?
Because many professionals only seek rest when the body is forced to rest – as a result of sickness, extreme fatigue or burnout.
I don’t see the above as a sign of success, because in reality it’s a form of 'weaponised resilience', where people force themselves to act, do and be more and more resilient even when the body is crying out for rest, self care and wellness.
Why?
Because we applaud ourselves on the conversations that are built on how much we are doing and how tired we are. In truth, we are – secretly – trying to look for some misguided validation from our peers, thinking that this continuing narrative built on perpetuating self-destruction somehow exonerates you from stewarding your body responsibly.
Can you be fruitful, increase and rule (Genesis 1:28) while your body is falling apart?
Where is the glory to God in such a narrative?
I believe that we are in a position to change that narrative to one that balances resilience with self-care, priorities and having healthy boundaries. Proverbs 31 as a professional woman understands that the best leadership starts with self-leadership, and this includes a responsibility towards ensuring that her body is nourished and healthy.
Why?
Because she knows that her body is not an infinite resource that will never run out.
As I mentioned last week, Genesis 2:2 should be a constant reminder that: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all His work”.
Meaning that God Almighty – our Creator, who never gets tired, doesn’t slumber or sleep – rested from all His work – but you, a created being, think that rest is for the weak?
While you reflect on the above, allow me, at this juncture, to briefly touch on the practical measures that Proverbs 31 as a professional woman undertakes to ensure that her body is “nourished and healthy”.
There’s a lot of literature on the different ways that you can keep your body healthy and nourished – through exercise, eating healthy, sleeping well, having a self-care routine, having a thankful heart, having healthy habits, healthy relationships, etc.
The above is general and public knowledge and since I’m not a medical professional, I advise you to seek professional advice on what is suitable for your body.
Proverbs 31 as a professional woman knows that her body does all the work, and so, she has come to realise that she needs to treat her body with honour and dignity. This gives her a great desire to build a life that enhances the nourishment and health of her body.
What this physical health and nourishment look like to you will depend on your individual needs.
Shalom.
DISCLAIMER: 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace' is not posited on trying to read the professional woman into Proverbs 31 because this will produce an absurd result. However, I have opted to take a principles-based approach, which widens the scope to be applicable to any professional woman – regardless of her age or status.
This column has previous articles titled 'A New Season', 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears' as well as 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' (the introduction as well as parts 1 to 20) – all published by Namibian Sun newspaper.
I welcome your comments, inputs, queries or concerns. Kindly address them to [email protected]
In today’s article, we will continue the discussion on success principle 6, which says that Proverbs 31 as a professional woman is “nourished and healthy – spirit, soul and body”.
Having previously discussed the practical aspects of the nourishment and health of her spirit and soul (see parts 14–20), I will focus exclusively on the subtopic of her body as a subcomponent of her overall nourishment and health.
Last week I briefly paused and reflected on 1 Kings 18 and 19 with a desire to reveal two things. Firstly, that God is interested in giving us both spiritual and physical rest (read Exodus 20:8, Hebrews 4:1-11 and Mark 2:27 as well). Secondly, that Elijah’s story in 1 Kings 19 is a reminder that sometimes you need to pause, rest, get nourishment, healing and strength for your body so that you can build a healthy resilience and not just keep pushing with an empty tank – read part 20 for more context.
This article was a personal conviction against many professionals who deem rest as something for the weak.
Why, you might ask?
Because many professionals only seek rest when the body is forced to rest – as a result of sickness, extreme fatigue or burnout.
I don’t see the above as a sign of success, because in reality it’s a form of 'weaponised resilience', where people force themselves to act, do and be more and more resilient even when the body is crying out for rest, self care and wellness.
Why?
Because we applaud ourselves on the conversations that are built on how much we are doing and how tired we are. In truth, we are – secretly – trying to look for some misguided validation from our peers, thinking that this continuing narrative built on perpetuating self-destruction somehow exonerates you from stewarding your body responsibly.
Can you be fruitful, increase and rule (Genesis 1:28) while your body is falling apart?
Where is the glory to God in such a narrative?
I believe that we are in a position to change that narrative to one that balances resilience with self-care, priorities and having healthy boundaries. Proverbs 31 as a professional woman understands that the best leadership starts with self-leadership, and this includes a responsibility towards ensuring that her body is nourished and healthy.
Why?
Because she knows that her body is not an infinite resource that will never run out.
As I mentioned last week, Genesis 2:2 should be a constant reminder that: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all His work”.
Meaning that God Almighty – our Creator, who never gets tired, doesn’t slumber or sleep – rested from all His work – but you, a created being, think that rest is for the weak?
While you reflect on the above, allow me, at this juncture, to briefly touch on the practical measures that Proverbs 31 as a professional woman undertakes to ensure that her body is “nourished and healthy”.
There’s a lot of literature on the different ways that you can keep your body healthy and nourished – through exercise, eating healthy, sleeping well, having a self-care routine, having a thankful heart, having healthy habits, healthy relationships, etc.
The above is general and public knowledge and since I’m not a medical professional, I advise you to seek professional advice on what is suitable for your body.
Proverbs 31 as a professional woman knows that her body does all the work, and so, she has come to realise that she needs to treat her body with honour and dignity. This gives her a great desire to build a life that enhances the nourishment and health of her body.
What this physical health and nourishment look like to you will depend on your individual needs.
Shalom.
DISCLAIMER: 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace' is not posited on trying to read the professional woman into Proverbs 31 because this will produce an absurd result. However, I have opted to take a principles-based approach, which widens the scope to be applicable to any professional woman – regardless of her age or status.
This column has previous articles titled 'A New Season', 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears' as well as 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' (the introduction as well as parts 1 to 20) – all published by Namibian Sun newspaper.
I welcome your comments, inputs, queries or concerns. Kindly address them to [email protected]
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