Book Recommendatin: Fierce Women, by Kimberly Wagner

Last Christmas, my sister-in-law first introduced me to a book that has since been a tremendous conviction, encouragement, and motivation for me as wife. I’d like to introduce that book to you as well. It is called Fierce Women, by Kimberly Wagner.  Although this is not a book review, since I won't be covering everything in the book, it is a book recommendation.  If you are a wife or are about to get married, this book will help you to see your role as a wife from God's perspective. 

I relate to Kimberly Wagner in many ways.  She describes herself as an outspoken and opinionated person.  I found her book helpful because she does not suggest that strong-willed women need to lay down their God-given personality or leadership strengths in order to be in God's will.  But she does make a very clear Biblical argument for women to lay aside selfishness and power-grabbing.  

The other reason I appreciate Kimberly Wagner as an author is that she is brutally honest about herself. She describes in sad detail how she almost destroyed her own marriage within the first ten years, even driving her husband out of the ministry, by attacking him through the dangerous characteristics she goes on to warn against in the book.  Thankfully, God restored their marriage twenty years ago and has used the Wagners to help many others who are struggling.  

Allow me to quote from Fierce Women here and list the fifteen characteristics of a destructive fierce woman:  

Characteristics of a Destructive Fierce Woman

1. She has established herself as her own authority. Her identity flows from the faulty perception that she’s in charge of her life, and her independence is her highest value.

2. She’s always pulled by the lure of “more.”

3. She’s unaware that ingratitude, pride, and fear are the driving components of her life.

4. She’s passionate about things that matter to her. She lives with a self-centered agenda.

5. She longs for love and affection, but she can come out swinging if rejected!

6. She goes to battle often, mistaking her belligerence for heroism.

7. She grabs for power, and no one and nothing prevents her from getting her way.

8. She uses her strength to bully others. She may not recognize it a bullying, but her continual criticisms, negative perspective, and harsh tones are like acid.

9. She’s harsh and blunt in her honesty and proud of it.

10. She is often involved in conflicts with others.

11. She may claim God’s Word as her ultimate authority, but her study is merely academic. It doesn’t affect how she treats others.

12. She usually has no trouble confronting, but her approach is demeaning.

13. She views meek behavior as a sign of weakness. She sincerely believes her constant conflicts with others stem from their ineptness, lack of spirituality, or inferior behavior.

14. She craves power over others and has mastered the art of controlling them through subtle manipulation.

15. Although she may not admit it, her life is devoted to selfish pursuit. She is only satisfied when she gets her own way.

Such a thought-provoking and convicting list for me! I know there are areas God is working on me. I pray you are experiencing spiritual victory this week. God is good to reveal truth to us