Recently, I have been reading books that challenge me in ways that I needed to be regarding my relationship with God and my faith. “Lioness Arising,” by Lisa Bevere, continued along that same vein. This is not a book to make you feel good about yourself but a book to challenge you to get yourself together, make some close and lasting friendships with other women, stand together for those who cannot stand up for themselves, and in return, you will make a difference in your world.
She starts off explaining a dream she had while being pregnant. It was about a lioness and what she believed she heard as this revelation… “With the birth of this son, you will awaken a lioness” (Bevere, p.3). As she searched for the meaning of this very vivid dream, she wondered if maybe, despite her past and her present, God believed she was intended for more (p.9). She soon after learned that maybe the “Lioness Arising” was not about her. Maybe it was a charge for Christian women to rise up together and change our world (p.12).
This book is an encouragement for us to look for ways to, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)
Bevere examines the lioness and the way she interacts with other lionesses, with her prey, and the way she fiercely protects her young… She talks about the fact that lionesses are loyal to each other in their pride, and they help each other, groom each other, take care of one another’s young, and they are protectors. These lionesses work together, not separately. They are stronger when they are together. This sometimes goes against the grain of the world where women are constantly competing for different types of power.
After reading her book, I am going to be looking into the other books she has written. Her style is easy to understand and kept my attention. If I could have read the entire book in one day, I would have.
Lisa Bevere is described on her website this way… Passionate. Edgy. Relatable. Powerful. Funny. This seemed to be true of her as I read through her book.
I would certainly recommend this book to any women who want a challenge to be more so they can do more for others.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
