I often get asked why I am so passionate about menstrual health, and there is no singular answer. Simply put the more knowledge that I gain about the female reproductive system, the more in awe of it I become. This probably can be traced back to my biology degree and light-hearted dream to pursue medical school to be a gynecologist. You see, my favorite class in college was the Biology of Development and Aging. I am sure my favorite professor had a lot to do with that, so shout out to Sarah Bennett, but the class itself was engaging and amazing and there is no way that you leave a class like that without being absolutely blown away by the human body. With my scientific background and my now deeper understanding of what it means to be created in the image of God, I have come to better appreciate the miracle of life through the lens of womanhood.
There are many reasons why being a woman is beautiful and amazing. Some may disagree about that, but the reality is that we are all created in God’s image. You were created uniquely. There is nobody but you who can do what you do the way you were created to do it. It is important that you see the complete picture about why you should celebrate your body and own your womanhood accordingly.
Starting with one scripture you may have heard before, Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Let’s first start with being fearfully made. Being fearfully made means being in awe of something so excellent and knowing that whoever made us is incredible. The Creator behind you is worthy of worship because of the amazing creation that you are. You should have great reverence for God for such a breathtaking creation. There is nothing about your life that is a shock to Him, and that leaves me in awe of Him every single day.
After being in awe comes the fact that you were wonderfully made. This is biology. This is intelligent design. You are God’s amazing creation. I think you have to take the time to admire the intricate parts of the human body that make you who you are. You have so many bodily functions that work on their own without you having to even think about it in order to keep you alive. The process of breathing, digestion, detoxification, and so much more all exist without you having to do anything. The capacity to think and have memories and all of the qualities that make us human are absolutely incredible.
You know what else is absolutely incredible? Your reproductive system. There are so many things that have to go right in order for you to create life. You have a monthly cycle that exists in order for you to do that. The point of your period is not to make you bleed and be miserable once per month. Your body was created to have this cycle, but bleeding is not the ultimate goal. The goal each month is ovulation with the hope of pregnancy, whether you are trying to conceive or not. Your body was created uniquely to communicate with you on a week to week basis, and when you know what changes each phase brings, you can understand your needs and wants better in order to work with your cycle rather than fight against it.
This is why I believe it is important to pray about your period. To pray about your reproductive health and fertility. Each season of your life is a gift from God. Having a healthy body to propel you into your purpose is part of His plan for your life, and you need to be a good steward of your health so that you can do what He has called you to do. Your period is not a curse, but rather a gift. When you shift your relationship with it from negative to positive, it allows you to embrace who you are. It allows you to appreciate the miracle within your body. It allows you to take the power into your own hands and be proud of the woman you are.
You are made specifically on purpose for a purpose. So if you dislike something about yourself, you are disliking something that was designed fearfully and wonderfully by your Creator. It doesn’t mean that you aren’t allowed to desire change, because you absolutely are, however when it comes to owning your womanhood, you have to acknowledge that every part of you is loved, held, and kept by God. Disliking your period is something that I see and hear far too often. Your period is a gift. Your ability to be so in tune with your body is a gift.
It might sound crazy to say that you are grateful for your period, but when she rolls around next month, give it a try. Be grateful. Praise God for the amazing creation that you are. See how He can change your perspective on this, and if He can change your perspective on something as intricate and small as your period, imagine what else He will do in your life when you praise Him.