Every Woman Should Be Fierce

Fierce- having or displaying an intense or ferocious aggressiveness.

When this word is spoken to describe a women it is usually about a women filled with strength and passion.

Whether her passion is for fashion, politics, family, motherhood, or God, she has a desire, want and even a need to fulfill that passion. There is a fire burning deep within her soul---a flame that can't be extinguished.

This week for our book club we are reading about two women who display the quality of being fierce in all it's glory. Jehosheba had a fierce protectiveness toward Joash, longing to keep him safe and keeping the line of the Messiah alive and well, and Deborah who had a fierce spirit and a close relationship with God.

Let's take a minute and talk about Jehosheba. Her story is probably less known than Deborah's but it's just as important. She kept the Messiah's lineage intact.

Jehosheba lived in a time where Athaliah was killing off all the king's sons. Jehosheba saw this and felt a huge desire to protect Joash, Athaliah's grandson. She even went as far as keeping him hidden in the same house as his grandmother, right under her nose.

Now, there is only one way that Jehosheba would have been able to hide Joash in the same house as Athaliah---God.

God saw her fierce desire to help save her nephew and keep the lineage of Jesus alive so He helped by shielding Joash from his grandmother.

Seeing as this story is short and only a couple of verses in the bible, why would it possibly be included?

"It is evidence of God's specific call on women to be fierce protector." J. Lee Grady

Jesheba was called to be a protector and God knew that she would have a flame burning bright for the job He set before her.

The other woman we are studying this week is more known but sometimes ignored because of the fact that she is a woman in a mans world.

Deborah was a judge in Israel.

Along with being a judge, she was a great prophetess. Her prophesies frequently came true, no matter how great.

Deborah prophesied that Israel's enemy, Canaan, would gather his army and attack Israel. Because she had a great relationship with God, she was able to let her commanders know that God would defeat the enemy commander, which He did of course.

There is one quality both these women possess, besides fierceness, and it's love...a love of God buring deep within each woman.

"I believe love is the secret of a women's fierceness. When you allow God's love---however painful---to so perfectly control you, and when you trade your selfish concerns for God's priorities, the compassion you feel for people---especially for those who are in danger or at risk---will drive you to rescue them. You will stop caring so much for your own safety." J. Lee Grady

I am sure there has been a time in your life where you have felt God's love so much that you completely forgot about yourself and let all your selfish desires dissipate. It might have been related to your children, family member, a complete stranger or even one of your fur-babies.

God's love is so powerful that when we let it take over, amazing things can be accomplished.
Just like Deborah and Jesheba, we can have our place in God's history set if we all His love to fill us and work through us. No matter how big or small the task, all of the require us to step outside of ourselves and see beyond our own wants and desires.

To do this, a close relationship with God is required.

Is your relationship with God as close as it could be, or could it us a little work?

Let's Chat

1. Has there ever been a time where you have had a "maternal aggression and protected someone from danger? Please share your story.

2. Why do you think some Christian women are uncomfortable when other women do courageous thing?

3. Courageous women must become strong spiritually. Why is the power of praise so important in developing your strength? What else can you do to develop your spiritual strength besides praise?

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