Lisa Bevere - Fight Like a Girl: The Power of Being a Woman

Copyright 2006 by Lisa Bevere

All rights reserved.

Warner Faith

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Visit our Web site at www.faithwords.com

Scriptures are from the following sources:

The Amplified Bible, Expanded Edition (AMP): Copyright 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation and The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved; The Holy Bible, New Century Version (NCV). Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved; The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers; The King James Version of the Bible (KJV); The Living Bible (TLB), copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Ill. Used by permission; The New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers; Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

First eBook Edition: May 2008

ISBN: 978-0-446-53730-8

Praise for FIGHT LIKE A GIRL

Lisa has powerfully raised a challenge that can no longer be ignored by the church. It is time for women to rise up and take their place alongside men for Kingdom purposes... we need to celebrate and embrace differences rather than try to eliminate them. This book will help free women from the many impositions and limitations that have held them back from realizing their God-given potential. I could not put this book down.

Chris Caine, author and director, Equip and Empower Ministries

Lisa Bevere wants to help women reach their potential, value their role, and discover Gods plan for their lives. The message she shares in this book will bring freedom and confidence, and help women of all ages take positive steps toward wholeness. I rejoiced as I read this book, realizing that it is never too late to learn to fight like a girl.

Betty Robison, co-host, LIFE Today

Through the pages of this book the question, Where are the fearless daughters who are ready to fight like girls? is answered in a profound, yet simple way. Lisa challenges all the Deborahs of the world to rise up, awaken to their potential, and receive the truth of Gods word. Lisa urges women to put down their carnal weapons, pick up their spiritual swords, and use them as instruments of transformation. Be prepared for the extreme makeover that is about to take place in your heart as you read this book.

Nancy Alcorn, president and founder, Mercy Ministries of America

Women are magnificent and Lisa has done a great job of painting that picture! This is a must read for all of us who are on the journey to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. We are the loved daughters of the King and have a tremendous role to play here on the planet. In her own amazing style, Lisa is challenging us to love passionately, grow in strength, overcome obstacles, and recognize our own beauty. A truly powerful book. Dont just buy one... get one for your friend!

Holly Wagner, author GodChicks, When It Pours He Reigns

FIGHT LIKE A GIRL is about the power a woman has to fight and win the spiritual battles of her life. I cant wait for my daughter to read this and learn how uniquely God has created her to fight for what is right in the right way.

Stephen Arterburn, host of New Life Live and coauthor of Every Mans Battle

To my husband, John, who has always celebrated my life and passions. Thanks for encouraging me to pursue truth and to never be satisfied with anything less. I love you more than ever and thank God you are the knight in my life. To my four sons, Addison, Austin, Alec, and Arden, you inspire me more than you know. You are each a gift from heaven. May honor encompass your lives. To my sweet Viking Jacque, you and daughters like you are the reason I write. May you go further and farther and defeat the enemy at the gate. Debby, you were a constant source of support and one of my favorite people. To all the beautiful women who just want to do the woman thing well, may we fully recover all that has been lost.

You Fight Like a Girl!

Hey, you fight like a girl! Of course, this phrase is usually meant as an insult. Whether it is spoken guy to guy, boy to girl, or woman to man, it is not meant as a compliment. No, it is hurled in response to a weak punch, a scratch, or even a cheap shot. So why would I be encouraging anyone to fight like a girl? First, an insult to men or boys should not always be heard as one by women. Girls are meant to fight like girls, but for some odd reason, most of us would rather be told we fight like men. Could this be because girls have developed the habit of fighting dirty?

Before we even start, I do not want you to think I am a girly girl advocating whipping people with frilly pink ribbons. I am not. I like to surf, ski, and hunt (in that order). I live with five men and travel internationally, more often than not, by myself. I am a cancer survivor, a mother, and a wife, but I was first a daughter. I am not advocating we dumb it down or fake something we are not. I do think we need to ask why it is an insult to fight like a girl. Even better, I want girls and women to consider themselves complimented if they are told they fight like one.

Actually, it is quite possible weve forgotten what it looks like to fight like a girl. For so long we have attempted to fight like men, and if this didnt work, we have taken some cheap shots or even cheated! Others of us have simply hidden from the storm of conflict raging around us and imagined we were being feminine and ladylike to do so. Others have forgotten that what is considered weakness in one gender is often strength in the other. I mean, should not hitting as hard as a man always be viewed as wrong?

Boys earn the respect of their peers when they fight like boys. They are considered brave and strong when they fight for what is important to males. They are admired for standing up to bullies, protecting younger children, and upholding the honor of their family name. It is when boys dont stand up for what is right that they are mocked and the name-calling begins. Sissy! or Mamas boy! might be taunts a boy will hear when he hasnt measured up to his peers idea of a male. This dynamic doesnt change with age; men who fight and respond like women are considered weak or effeminate. Men and boys should fight with the power and strength innately entrusted to them. Men are physically stronger, and therefore have the proverbial upper hand when it comes to physical feats. This being true, what is the strength of a woman? Different issues and conflicts arouse a mans ire. What should upset a woman? And what would fighting like a girl look like if it was done right?

What would fighting like a girl look like if it was done right?

Before we delve deeper and answer this, perhaps you might be questioning whether women are even to be included in fights or conflict. To answer this, we need to revisit original intent or the reason behind our origin. Women were not initially formed for battle, but for life, nurture, and relationship. Perhaps this is why we often do not wear conflict well. This being true, is it wrong for women to fight? No, not any more than it is wrong for men to fight. Neither was initially created for destructionthey were both formed for increase, order, and cultivation. And the day will come when weapons will be laid aside in favor of this mandate. The Bible says swords will be beaten once again into plowshares (see Isaiah 2:4). Then both men and women will return to their original positions and relational dynamic on the earth. But right now there is a problem, an enemy, and a battle.