Becoming a Lion-Hearted Woman (the L on the acronym R.E.A.L. Women!) is most definitely a process. It’s the ability to face life and it’s various challenges with confident courage. Adding “boldness” to our character puts us in a place where we can move forward in an proactive manner—not simply living our life to defend our territory.
Christian leaders need to have boldness as a part of their attribute—both male and female. How do we as women leaders add bravery, courage and boldness to the recipe of our personality, with out becoming harsh and abrasive? Can we get along without this ingredient? Or is it a necessity? Looking for new recipes—I mentally add and subtract certain of the ingredients that I may not want to put in due to budget or taste. However, there are certain ingredients that are required to make a stew a stew, or a chicken pot pie a chicken pot pie (like chicken!) Some ingredients are expensive or require difficult preparation—are we willing to pay the price or do the work to have them added to the dish?
Are there areas in your Christian walk that you have felt were too expensive to add to your life? For many women boldness, bravery and courage are only things we mix in when there is no option.
Abigail was bold as she sought to save her household from David’s wrath; Jochebed was bold in disobeying the Egyptian ruling to kill all boy babies; Esther of course was bold in risking her life for an audience before her husband. Consider the boldness it took Mary to say yes to God’s plan, becoming an unwed mother. Boldness, with grace, is an attribute we admire in others. Women who have developed this attribute are women who make history happen in their corner of the world—they make things happen—not just let it happen to them.
How do we develop Lionheartedness? Let’s take a look at some scriptures concerning boldness:
Ephesians 3:12: In whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have boldness (courage and confidence) of free access—an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear. (Amplified)
Philippians 1:20: This is in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope, that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything; but that with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always heretofore, Christ the Messiah, will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through (by) life or through (by) death. (Amplified)
Boldness (courage) is developed in our lives through our relationship with Christ. As we grow in our faith in Him (and His Word and His character) we will become more secure in who we are in Him. This helps give us a platform from which we may confidently stand strong. Knowing that we can come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need from the very God of the Universe can definitely cause us to stand tall and strong. Ladies, we must have a sure grasp that no matter what faces us we are not in it alone—as we have sought our God, He will be with us.
The Greek word for boldness is “parrhesia”. The meaning of this word includes outspokenness, unreserved utterance, freedom of speech, with frankness, candor, cheerful courage—the opposite of cowardice, timidity or fear. “Parrhesia” is not a human quality but a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. We must stay filled with the Spirit if we want to have parrhesia part of our life. In Acts 4:31, the same word is used—and it refers to a clear presentation of the gospel without being ambiguous or unintelligible. Do you ever feel that when you share the gospel sometimes it kind of dribbles down your chin? Or do you feel confident and clear—with a sure knowing of Him whom you believe and are able to give an account of that which you believe?
Becoming a student of the Word of God, a lover of God and His ways will help promote parrhesia in your life in a more powerful way.
Please understand me, I know we are at different levels and position in the body of Christ—but at every level we can add parrhesia to increase our level of influence and blessing. The difference between the disciples pre-Upper Room and Post Upper Room is amazing. Peter’s ability to stand with freedom of speaking testifies to the power of God’s ability to transform an insecure, afraid individual into a vessel who spoke forth the Word of God and 3,000 people got saved.
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage. (Acts 4:31 Amplified)
What would happen if we, as women of God, sought His fullness in a deeper measure—asking for cheerful courage and assurance to go forth and accomplish our individual tasks for the Lord? We would turn our world upside down too!
We need to be willing to be in a place where we can be shaken and then filled! God wants to shake us so we can shake and shape our world.
Too many of us hide our lights under the bushel basket of “I’m shy”, “I’m not a public person”, “I’m only a woman”. God is saying be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with You! You are a daughter of the Lord and you are here for such a time as this.
To be strong in parrhesia does not mean that we must become piranha. To be Spirit filled means we are full of the Spirit of God with all the Fruits of the Spirit maturing and developing as well. Being Spirit filled will give us the access to the wisdom of God on how to behave, move and respond in situations. We do not have to rise up in our own strength to defend ourselves, our rights or our purpose. That is God’s job. Parrhesia operates best in a spirit of meekness.
We must grow in our faith and our excellence. It will take work: study, prayer and practice. We may flop the first time we try something new, but remember we have the opportunity to boldly enter the throne room in our time of need. As we pray for each other we shall grow in parrhesia—and become LIONHEARTED WOMEN OF GOD!
*Parrhesia:Strongs # 3956 1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech a) openly, frankly, I.E. without concealment b) without ambiguity or circumlocution c) without the use of figures or comparisons 2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
**Piranha: South American Fish who have very sharp teeth that can attack and inflict great wounds on humans and large animals