This post contains affiliate links
For years I’ve struggled with hormonal issues of various kinds. I’ve often wondered how to understand the way being an embodied soul is affected by my hormones. Like many women, I’m sure, I’ve struggled to identify whether my experiences are directly tied to my hormones or my heart. Rachel Jones has done an excellent job of showing how the two aren’t at odds with one another in her latest book A Brief Theology of Periods. The book begins with Rachel detailing the different phases of the menstrual cycle and what happens in a woman’s body during those phases.
She explains to readers how a woman’s menstrual cycle is a manifestation of general revelation. It was neat to read Rachel explain how she arrived at that conclusion. I often lament that I have to deal with PMS monthly. Although I have found ways to improve it and nourish my body to ease my symptoms, I had never considered how my cycle points to God as the Creator. In addition to helping women understand how they are fearfully and wonderfully made as image-bearers of God, A Brief Theology of Periods offers women counsel and comfort for the hardest hormonal experiences.
Having recently experienced a miscarriage, my heart found comfort in Rachel’s words when she said, “. . . Jesus is with you in your suffering. Whatever your hurt—whether it’s the agony of endometriosis, or the grief of miscarriage, or the emotional and physical toll of menopause, or something else—Jesus gets it . . . He’s familiar with pain. And as a Christian, you can know that he’s entered into your suffering and taken up your sin, to guarantee you a future without either—an eternity of peace with God, with a body, mind and soul that are healed and whole,” (pg. 45).
A Brief Theology of Periods also reminds readers of the beauty of weakness within the Christian and how weakness is a great opportunity for Christ’s power to be made perfect. I found her words in this section to be particularly encouraging in my healing from miscarriage.
Regarding weakness, the author wrote, “God loves to work through weakness. He doesn’t let out a sigh when, yet again, we’re struggling. He’s a patient Father who helps us—not with an eye on his watch but with a smile on his face. Day by day he meets us in our weakness not with derision but with gentleness. Surely that should be how we meet our own weakness and that of others?” (pg. 49).
One aspect of A Brief Theology of Periods that I deeply appreciated is how it views hormonal issues through both a physical lens and a spiritual one.
With much wisdom, Rachel shared, “Remember that we’re whole creatures, body and soul—caring for one does wonders for the other. Taking sin seriously could look like being upfront with others so that they can pray for us and help us out practically to ease the pressure and minimise temptation. And taking sin seriously will always look like availing ourselves of the gift of the Holy Spirit, making sure we ask him to help us as we head into our day and praying throughout it for his power to be at work in us” (pg. 83).
Overall, Rachel did an excellent job of handling a topic that is generally viewed as uncomfortable and inappropriate in church circles and she did so with gentleness and grace. I really enjoyed A Brief Theology of Periods and highly recommend it to women who are seeking encouragement for hormonal issues and to men who want to love their sisters in Christ, including their own wives and family members, well.
