Book Review: Lioness Arising

I am a woman, hear me ROAR!!! That seems to fit the theme of Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere. In her book, Bevere offers the imagery and life of a lioness as a comparable icon for women of today. Comparing the lioness to human woman, Bevere hopes that women can find the power, courage, prowess, purpose and passion to make a difference in the world.

To me the central theme of this book is that women, especially Christian women, are called to become leaders of our world and our communities. We are to unite and work together to protect our young, help our families including our husbands, be a voice for the voiceless and to be a united front for change. Bevere uses her personal visions about lionesses, research about lionesses in the wild and Biblical messages to raise women up and empower them.

Each chapter in this book offer affirmation to this message. Three of my favorite chapters include, "Strength is for Service," "Under the Same Mission," and "Greet and Groom." In "Strength is for Service" Bevere calls women to unite for the good of all people and to use this power to the good. She writes "We are called to represent God- what he is doing and all he offers- as a feast for everyone to partake in."(p. 82). In "Under the Same Mission," Bevere discusses the traditional roles of men and women and how we need to change the outlook of these roles. We, as women, do not need to overtake man's roles. Rather we need to work alongside men as equals in order to change the world. She talks about how the lionesses work alongside the male lion as a way of earning his trust and love and to be seen as his equal and not a liability to the pride. In "Greet and Groom," Bevere asks us how do we greet others? Are we greeting them with caution or are we welcoming them and showing them love, especially those who are closest to us? Are we grooming our children to be strong men and women who will change the world? She offers how the lioness greets and grooms her cubs as an example. Bevere ends her book with "From a Whisper to a Roar" where she challenges women to arise and take their places as lionesses in the world.

Overall, Lioness Arising, is a very powerful read for a Christian woman. The Biblical references and references to the life of a lioness are well-balanced with thought provoking writing.

However, there was one drawback. Bevere uses personal stories of her personal struggles to illustrate several of her chapters and these references were distracting to me. I enjoyed reading of her visions of lionesses and her recount of seeing the lionesses in the wild. However, I really did not need to hear about her fascination with the main female character in "The Terminator" and how she went to the gym, etc.

After reading this book, I feel empowered as a woman. I agree with Bevere's ideology, which many may say is too feminised for them. Also after reading this book, I just want to say... I am woman and hear me ROAR!!!!

DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not paid anything and all opinions expressed within this review are my own.