Week 7 - "She sets about her work vigorously; Her arms are strong for her tasks"

WOW - my apologies darlings....I had an amazing and busy December....AND as you can see, seriously deliquent on my "weekly" posting on the Proberbs 31 woman.  But faithfully our God had a plan....much better than my own, not surprising.....this week's post is on health and strength.  The physical strength needed to work vigorously and complete the tasks of homemaking. 

Proverbs 31:17 - She set about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks"

IRONICALLY.....This is ALWAYS the day I start to think about what diet plan I am going to "sign up for"....but last year I started my own personal journey toward wellness because I had tired of paying money for someone to tell me what I already knew. 

I think we all know what we need to do....it's the DOING that is the hard part.  Right?

I had, in my mind, found my own personal path toward a level of fitness I didn't think possible for a working wife and mother and grad student so I was proud on July 21st when I posted about my weight loss and fitness acheivements.  No doubt I had acheived an amazing goal.  I had lost weight, several inches from my entire body, and had more energy than ever. 

Until I was hit by a car in August during one of my bike trips. 

I blog about this journey over here...

www.loseitforlifenow.blog.com

So, God has a plan, a different plan.  It has been called the "the accidental blessing" in previous posts because I am now home full-time and loving it.  However, I am still confused as to my new role, the worry about money (the proverbs 31 woman as we have studied was resourceful and made a profit out of her own earnings). and I now have a whole hat full of new "stressors" that come with the "stay at home" wife and mother role.

So, anyway, let's take this and "run" with it.....compliments of ...

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/homefam/prov31.htm

Inner strength and a tenacious trust in God translates into outer strength and physical vitality and vigor. The "loins" are regarded as the seat of strength (see 1 Kings 12:10; Nahum 2:1). The term refers to the abdominal or hip region of the body (the mid-section), the region of strength and procreative power.

"To gird" means to encircle or bind with a flexible band or girdle (belt). In Bible times both men and women wore outer robes or tunics. If the tunic was ungirded it would interfere with a person's ability to walk freely. The Bible often makes symbolic use of the girdle. Jesus said, "Let your loins be girded about" (Luke 12:35). In other words, "Be as men who have a long race to run; gather up the folds of your flowing robes, and fasten them with your girdle; that nothing may keep you back or impede your steps." In Bible language, "to be girded" means "to be ready for action." "For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle" (Psalm 18:39). [See Fred Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, page 93].

The virtuous woman has a reservoir of inner strength which is able to energize her and enable her to accomplish physical tasks which require a great amount of physical strength. She is not weakened by sloth or laziness but she is a wonderful example of diligence and industry. George Lawson describes her in this way:

As rust gathers on metals that are seldom used, so sluggishness of disposition contracts a rust on the powers of the body and mind; and idle persons by degrees realize those excuses for their conduct which were at first mere shams. The virtuous woman is of a very different temper. She declines not any part of her duty through aversion to toil; and by exerting her strength with a cheerful mind she improves it. Her labors give her health and vigor, and alacrity for new labors; so that she can with great ease and tranquility go through those duties which appear impossibilities to other women [Commentary on Proverbs, p. 564].

I am newly refreshed by reading the Word of God.  Newly convicted!  In my quest to be the Proverbs 31 one woman in the 21st century, I must take care of the temple that is this body.  No matter what.  It is biblical.  It is necessary to the health and happiness of everyone and everything around me.  It is all connected.  Jesus commands it.  We must "gird our loins" (strengthen our core) in order to run the race and complete it. 

I am not for running...however, I am going to start some kind of work out that I can do within my recoverying body.  I know from physical therapy that I can tolerate walking and using the elipitical so my current fitness goals include; exercise 5-6 times per week, elimination of sugar and diet soda for  a time, increase in fruits and veges - "volumetrics". and basic comon sense eating..."Eat when you are hungry  and stop when you are satisfied"...NOT FULL....this works for me, you will have to see what works for you and Lose It For Life....NOW my health coaching site is all about that.

www.loseitforlifenow.com

So that is my new path.  I will have to head to the gym to use the elipitical but that is a small sacrifice.  I am so lucky to have a membership to a gym in the neighborhood and I should be using and now I have a really good reason to get on the move.  First, Jesus commands us to take care of our body, his temple, secondly, we need to be health and strong to accomplish our role as wife, mother and care giver, and thirdly, well....it just feels good to be healthy. 

That's my motivation........What's Yours!


Hugs and Kisses,
Jenny