HOLY WELLNESS

Wellness, Portrayed by ‘The Proverbs 31 Woman’

BY MELISSA KESSLER, INHC, MA

I have loved ‘The Proverbs 31 Woman’ for as long as I can remember. You may know who I am speaking of—she is written of in Proverbs 31:10-31 and is an inspirational figure. She seems to have it all together. But although we know perfection is not reality, there is much we can learn from this scripture.

The Proverbs 31 Woman is a godly example of faith and strength, setting the ideal for women today—even when it comes to adrenal health. Adrenal fatigue, commonly known as burnout, or a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress causing adrenal dysfunction, can be an all-too-common ailment for many women. It’s important for us, the modern-day woman, to take proactive steps toward maintaining healthy adrenals so we can take on life’s daily challenges with confidence and resilience.

So let’s examine the lifestyle of The Proverbs 31 Woman together to find some tips for each of us to stay well and avoid burnout. Let’s use her example to set some goals—one goal at a time—to create wellness in our lives and learn to live so we can accomplish all the things God desires for us without experiencing burnout.

First, when it comes to diet, The Proverbs 31 Woman takes care to nourish her adrenal glands with foods rich in minerals and vitamins. Because of when she lived, we know she cooked with natural ingredients, which we can surmise included nutrient-dense leafy greens, nuts, proteins, and whole grains. 

If she followed the Jewish diet, which we can imagine she did, The Proverbs 31 Woman also included hormone balancing foods, like cruciferous vegetables and seed-based oils, into her meals, providing essential fatty acids to keep her hormones in balance. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food” (Genesis 1:29 NIV). Additionally, we can imagine she avoided processed sugar, which is so prevalent in today’s diet and can negatively affect our energy levels.

In terms of lifestyle choices, The Proverbs 31 Woman understood the importance of resting well so she could rise early. Rest allows the body ample time to heal and restore itself, and sleep helps regulate cortisol levels so we feel energized during waking hours.

Although it seems like this woman did it all, theologians recognize that this woman is a composite portrait. No one person can do everything she did! But something we should all emulate is that in her life was a balance that allowed her to keep her love of life intact. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come (Proverbs 31:25 NIV). By being selective about what tasks she devoted her time and energy toward, she avoided burnout while still managing functional productivity levels.

GOOD PLANNING AND HARD WORK LEAD TO PROSPERITY, BUT HASTY SHORTCUTS LEAD TO POVERTY. (PROVERBS 21:5 NLT)

Lastly, the Proverbs 31 Woman fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:30 NIV). We can imagine, then, that she took time to spend with the Lord even in the midst of her busy day. Practices such as mind-body exercise or meditation offer great benefits as breathing deeply helps keep cortisol levels regulated.

BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH. (PSALM 46:10 NIV)

A CHEERFUL HEART BRINGS A SMILE TO YOUR FACE; A SAD HEART MAKES IT HARD TO GET THROUGH THE DAY. (PROVERBS 15:13 MSG)

These are some of the key strategies that The Proverbs 31 Woman employed when it came to adrenal health. By being aware of how much rest she got; practicing stress management techniques; eating well; and engaging in regular time spent with the Lord, she set an awesome example for other women today on how we can live a balanced life full of vitality and wellness despite life’s daily stresses.

Melissa is a wife and mom of tween and teen boys who are a huge inspiration in her life. She is a best-selling author who leads workshops and retreats to help women encounter a wellness journey, and find rest and stillness amidst the busy lives they live, so they can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7). She has been practicing holistic wellness as an entrepreneur for over ten years, practices and teaches Christian meditation, and has surrendered all areas of life to God. Learn more from Melissa on all social media platforms @melissakesslerwellness