A few years back a friend of mine pulled up the computer to show me pictures of a semi-finalist on the popular show America’s Next Top Model. It just so happened that the girl competing for the top model title attended my friend’s university.
We were shocked by how “fierce” this girl looked in her photos. She definitely had the “I’m hot, I’m sexy, and I’m in control” (a.k.a. “fierce”) look going on. She must have been trained well by the show’s host, Tyra Banks, who famously uses the word “fierce” often to describe a woman with strong confidence.
We need Christian girls who are willing to deny themselves and fight for something greater.
This whole idea of being fierce was attractive to me. I wanted people to look at me and think, Wow! She’s got it. But I wasn’t sure how to reconcile that fierceness with my identity as a Christian.
I put the whole idea of being “fierce” on the back burner and continued on with my life, until last week.
Last week I purchased a book titled Fierce Women by Kimberly Wagner. It’s a book that completely challenges the cultures definition of fierce. Kimberly actually encourages us, as Christian girls, to embrace our fierceness and use it for good.
As I read Kimberly’s words, I fell in love with what I was reading and couldn’t resist sharing it with you. It was completely exciting, mind-blowing, and just plain awesome.
I’ve always wanted to use the energy, fierceness, and fire that God’s given me, but I’ve never really known how. Now I know why God gave me a fierce burning passion in my soul, and I finally realize the purpose.
Kimberly calls each of us to become “beautifully fierce.” Here’s a section ripped right from the book that explains what that means.
Characteristics of a Beautifully Fierce Woman:
- Her Identity and value are rooted in her relationship with Christ rather than a relationship with a man.
- She’s filled with gratitude for God’s good gifts. Her heart is ruled by the peace of contentment.
- She courageously faces her fears rather than running or hiding in shame.
- She’s passionate about things that matter rather than living for the trivial.
- She loves God and others. She’s more focused on giving love than getting love.
- She’s willing to battle for a worthy cause rather than shrinking in defeat.
- She grabs the hem of God’s will and doesn’t let go.
- She protects and defends the helpless rather than using her strength to bully others. She is known as a sincere encourager.
- She’s honest but kind.
- Others feel comfortable seeking her counsel.
- She embraces God’s Word as her ultimate authority rather than being swayed by the voices of the culture.
- She faithfully confronts by speaking the truth in love rather than enabling sin by keeping quiet.
- She walks with confidence and humility that flows from her recognition of Christ’s work of grace in her life.
- She has the power to influence and inspire because she lives under the Spirit’s control.
- Her life is lived all out for God’s glory rather than the smallness of self
Wow! I absolutely love this definition of a beautifully fierce woman. She is bold, courageous, passionate, and willing to battle. She defends, confronts, and is influential, confident, and inspiring!
Have you ever thought of the fact that you can be all of those words I just listed? You can be bold! You can be confident! You can be influential! Not for your own praise and applause, but for God’s truth and His glory.
God doesn’t need wimpy women.
The world is full of fierce women who use bold confidence to take what they want while ignoring the needs of others. We need Christian girls who are willing to stand up for the truth and say, “No more!” We need Christian girls who are willing to deny themselves and fight for something greater.
“The call to follow Christ requires fierceness.” —Kimberly Wagner
We need more Christian girls who are willing to defend God’s Word and truly live out a God-centered lifestyle. I realize it’s hard to live like Christ in this day and age. That is why following Christ requires fierceness. It takes a woman who finds her identity in Christ and realizes true strength, for the battle can only come from Him.
“The fierce woman seizes the kingdom of God, grabs on to Jesus, and hangs on for the ride of her life!” —Kimberly Wagner
It’s time we ditched the “I’m hot, I’m sexy, and I’m in control” mindset and set our sights on something more eternal. Let’s get ready for battle, girls. We need to pull out our Bibles, embrace God’s truths, and prepare to fight for them.
Written by Bethany Baird
