Hormones and Holiness
Hormones. We’ve all got them. We’ve all felt their effects. Hormones have been blamed for our weepy moods and our irritability. They shape our lives from the womb to the grave, but they take a starring role from puberty until the storm of menopause finally passes.
But what does the Bible say about hormones? Is there a biblical view of hormones that speaks into the emotional, physical, and spiritual tension so many Christian women feel?
Those who want to follow Christ certainly don’t want to shift the blame for their struggles to hormones. But at the same time, the feelings, the emotions (the bloating…the headaches) are real. They color our days and, later in life, wake us up in pools of sweat. If these microscopic structures of carbon rings with hydrogen and oxygen can wreak so much havoc—but also usher in so many wonderful gifts—shouldn’t we be examining them a bit?
Women tend to feel confused, ashamed, or dismissed when hormonal issues affect their lives. As a pharmacist, I have spent much of my career talking with women about how our bodies work. But beyond the science, I believe we need a theology of hormones—a faith-centered understanding of how these God-designed messengers impact our bodies and our walk with Christ.
For an overview of how hormonal shifts affect our emotions, see this post.
We Are Embodied Souls: Why the Body Matters
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our bodies are nothing more than a shell for the “real” part of us, our souls. But we were created as embodied souls. God breathed his life into our bodies and called them good.
While it’s true that “the flesh” can refer to the sinful nature, we must not falsely divide ourselves into a “sinful” physical self and a holy spiritual self. God made both. Our physical health affects our moods and emotions. And our moods and emotions affect our physical health.
Our bodies are not incidental, they are an essential part of our identity and calling. Our bodies are the means with which we carry out the good works God has called us to. They are how we enjoy the good gifts he gifts to us. And our hormones are not separate from or spiritual life, they are part of God’s intentional design.
Hormones Are Part of God’s Good Design
The exquisite interplay between our hormones to carry out our internal functions points to our intelligent creator. Hormones act as chemical messengers designed by God to regulate the body. The beauty and the complexity that go on inside us reflect not chaos, but divine order.
The rhythms and cycles of a woman’s body—menstruation, ovulation, childbirth, and breastfeeding—showcase God’s intimate craftmanship. A Christian view of hormones sees them not as something to curse, but as part of God’s good design, even when they’re hard to live with.
The Fall and the Fracture: Why Hormones Feel Hard
But most of us are aware that this exquisite design doesn’t always work as it should. Sin entered the world and threw creation into chaos. This affected everything—including our hormones.
PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, and other issues are the result of this fall. Our genetic code became corrupted. Women who long for children don’t ovulate. Others are overwhelmed by emotional swings or pain that make everyday life difficult. Our wombs release our babies too soon.
Even so, these struggles should not bring shame. A hormonal imbalance is not a moral failure. A biblical perspective on hormones reminds us that while they may be affected by sin, they are not sinful in themselves.
Read about one of my own experiences with hormonal rage. Read my post on perimenopause here.
Stewardship, Not Shame: Honoring God with Our Bodies
Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. We strive to keep ourselves spiritually fit by prioritizing quiet times and prayer. We do not forsake the meeting together on Sunday morning. But even though we know that our physical health affects our spiritual well-being, it’s easy to forget that our bodies matter to God, too.
That doesn’t mean spending hours in the gym or never eating another dessert. Just as few Christians are called to full-time missions, few us will be Olympic-level athletes. And please note, there are no height-weight charts in Scripture, either.
Stewardship of our bodies does not mean achieving a certain look or level of fitness. It means caring for the vessel God gave us—resting, nourishing, and seeking medical help when needed. We may need to relearn how to steward our bodies as vessels crafted for God’s glory. And hormones, which color so much of experience, certainly fall into that stewardship.
To search out a matter is the glory of kings. Not everyone will be fascinated by the HPA axis like I am, but listening to our bodies and understanding how our hormones affect our physical and emotional lives can equip us to serve the Lord and others more effectively.
Jesus Understands: Hope for the Weary Woman
For some of you, hormones may feel like the enemy. You might be dealing with a condition that is sabotaging your life and plans. If so, I hope you find a trusted medical professional that will listen and provide the earthly help you need.
More than that, we have a savior who understands our physical and emotional burdens (Hebrews 4:15). He showed love and compassion to the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years (Mark 5:25-34), and is tender toward us today.
One of the names of God is El Roi, “the God who sees” (Genesis 16:13). He sees you—even in your hormonal chaos. A faith-based view of hormones begins not with science, but with the God who made and sees us.
A Call to Curiosity and Courage
Hormones are a vital part of God’s wonderful design for women. And hormones are also affected by the curse (Genesis 3:16). This alone makes them worthy of thoughtful discussion and theological reflection.
Maybe the days of hormone havoc are mostly behind you. As a Titus 2 woman, you can offer hope and help to those walking behind you. You may not understand PCOS or endometriosis firsthand, but you can walk with compassion and encouragement.
There are so many ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Christian women can hold each other up through every hormonal season—from puberty to menopause, from pain to peace.
Encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 3:14.
This post is part of the “Theology and Hormones” cornerstone series. More posts coming soon.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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