The Right Kind of Strong: Surprisingly Simple Benefits of a Spiritual Strong Woman

Mary A. Kassian. Nashville: Nelson Books, 2019. Paperback. 224 pages. Publisher’s list price: $17.99

In this book, Mary Kassian explains seven habits that can make a woman spiritually strong. Using 2 Timothy 3:6–7 as the starting point, she sets forth in a clear manner that women today don’t need to be called weak by Paul if we adhere to seven simple habits that will keep us from being slowly but surely influenced by the culture of the day, and that we can remain strong in the faith and glorify God in our roles as created women.

Second Timothy 3:6–7 (English Standard Version) reads: “For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” This sentence contains seven unhealthy habits “that shrunk those fine-feathered Ephesian women down into tiny spiritual minikins. #LittleWomanProblems.” In this book the author gives the good counterparts of these bad habits that, when followed, will make you the real and godly kind of strong.

The habits each get their own chapter full of practical advice. The chapters are “Catch the Creeps,” “Master Your Mind,” “Ditch the Baggage,” “Engage Your Emotions,” “Walk the Talk, Stand Your Ground,” and “Admit Your Need.”

Since the beginning of creation women have been susceptible to tricksters worming their way in. It started with the uber-creep, the serpent in the garden of Eden. The author describes the devil and his tricks well, and the more you are aware of his creeps, the better you can arm yourself against them. Kassian has made a checklist of creep qualities to help you determine whether a creep is making a move on you and illustrates with problems and situations that we all recognize.

If you want to be strong and not weak, catching a creep is one of the most important things you can do. Next is asking God at all times to help you think correctly, taking every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:4–5). In “Ditch the Baggage” the author quotes from the Urban Dictionary where sin is defined as “harm.” If you feel hurt or offended—harmed—by what I say or do, then I have sinned against you. This gives the word “sin” a completely different and anti-biblical meaning of which you need to be aware. This is Billy Graham’s definition: “any thought or action that falls short of God’s will. God is perfect, and anything we do that falls short of His perfection is sin.” Therefore anxiety, worry, and fear are sins too. Kassian doesn’t fail to mention, though, that we are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:23–24). Then she shows us how to “fess up” in such a way that it sets us free. This is extremely useful, as so many people are stuck in the “I can’t forgive myself” prison. In the chapter about emotions the point is made that since the fall, our soul, mind, and will are not lined up anymore. Now our passions fight against our flesh (James 4:1; 1 Peter 2:11). We tend to deal with our emotions by either denying them or relying on them, which is equally destructive. We need training in order to deal with our emotions and desires in a godly manner, and lots of good pointers are given to help you in this process. In learning to “Walk the Talk” we should start to show godliness first to our own household (1 Tim. 5:4), then to our Christian brothers and sisters ,and finally to the community and the world. In the process we need to stand our ground, for which we need discernment so we won’t be swayed by falsehood.

However, like an IV-drip into the vein of an unconscious patient, contemporary culture has pumped ideas about what it means to be a strong woman into our subconscious minds. The world encourages you to be strong on your own terms, in your own way, and in your own power. The Bible has a radically different perspective.

What is true strength? Strength is possessing the inner resolve necessary to follow God’s commands. When you feel weak, you should not be ashamed; you are sensing the truth and reality of your situation. You are weak. We all are! Admit your need.

Here’s the irony: a weak woman tries to act strong. But a woman of strength recognizes that she’s weak and in need of a Savior. It requires honesty on your part to acknowledge where your personal weak points are, but when you are intentional about it, all the practical advice in this excellent book will definitely help you to become a spiritually strong woman.

Ephesians 6:10 charges you: “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” You can do all things through him who gives you strength. Don’t be timid. Don’t get discouraged. God, your God, will be with you every step of the way (Josh. 1:5–9).

Annemarieke Ryskamp was born and raised in the Netherlands. She graduated with a master’s degree in Dutch Language and Literature from Utrecht University and worked for the Dutch l’Abri and as a secondary school teacher at United World College in Singapore. She was married to Dr. Richard Ryskamp and was widowed in 2015. They raised two sons who are both in graduate studies. The family are members of Dutton United Reformed Church in Dutton, MI.