Written By: Clarissa Mangaran
What on earth would make me feel like a “Dangerous Woman?” It’s not what you might think.
The very first blog I wrote, “Freedom From the Angry Mama,” was a transparent look into the struggles I have faced with anger in motherhood. Raising children, mostly by myself, (thank you, military life) mixed with the baggage I brought to the table equaled a slew of angry outbursts I wish I could take back and erase. In a raw conversation with a dear friend, I poured my heart out about how much I was struggling, and she described me as gentle and kind, two words I would never have used to describe myself. In fact, I told her I feel like I’m the exact opposite of those things. At the time, I couldn’t fathom how she could possibly see those things in me.
Today, my son and youngest daughter pulled both ends of a Lego Batman mask, something I’ve told them countless times not to do. Sure enough, my son let go, and the elastic strap painfully snapped back at my daughter’s hand. I corrected my son and held my daughter until she stopped crying. My son came over and apologized, without having to be told, and left the room dejected. When he came back after a few minutes, I embraced him and kissed his head and explained the importance of not fighting over things, so people don’t get hurt. He agreed, and within a minute, the two little ones were happily playing together. I realized that I didn’t get angry. I didn’t resort to yelling. The whole situation was handled in a calm manner. And in the end, there was quick restoration and peace among all of us. Huh…
So what exactly makes me so dangerous? A few years ago, that situation would have looked very different! But with God’s presence in my life, He has been lovingly chipping away my rough edges and shaping my character. Honestly, it’s been a painful process, but as powerful as the transformation of my life has been, it’s worth the discomfort. For the first time ever, I can honestly say that I would, in fact, now describe myself as a gentle and kind mother overall (I still have my moments). So who am I dangerous towards if I’m now describing myself as gentle and kind? I am dangerous to the enemy of God.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
A life surrendered to Christ is dangerous, indeed. That’s because someone who surrenders their life to Christ cannot be controlled by fear. They can’t be used to spew evil and hate around the world. No, someone whose life is surrendered to Christ reflects His glory to the world. A life fully surrendered to Christ is a life of freedom. Freedom to live a life full of peace, joy, hope, and love. I had no idea just how freeing it would be to let go of trying to control everything in my life and give it all up into the hands of God. That freedom enables us to achieve forgiveness and restoration in our relationships, sometimes even in our most broken ones. The freedom that comes from a life surrendered to Christ enables us to stay grounded when life seems out of control. We have the power to say “no” to the lies of the enemy and choose to say “yes” to God’s Truth. There is no more powerful a witness to a hurting world than a life lived for the Kingdom!
Speaking of witnessing, as mothers who love Jesus, we are witnessing day in and day out to the people in our households. We are raising the next generation to know who their God is and who they are in Christ. We are teaching the next generation to know the Truth, so when they are confronted with the lies of the world, they will not be deceived. All of our training, teaching, guidance, and unconditional love prepares the next generation to stand on the Word of God with strength and confidence. Our prayers go a long way to generate a hedge of protection over our children from those who wish to ensnare them and harm them.
I am dangerous at home, in obscurity, serving my family in humility. The enemy hates everything about the family unit because it reflects the loving, relational essence of God. I am showing my children the beauty of a life subject to the authority of God. I am showing my children what a thriving godly marriage looks like, despite our past hardships. I am showing my children how to turn to God and trust in Him when the world is turning upside-down and how to continue loving others through it all. My husband is dangerous because he is a man who loves the Lord and allows Jesus to be his example of how to love and lead his family. My children are dangerous because they are being trained to think differently than the world. They are kind and caring and thoughtful because of what the Holy Spirit is doing in and through them. They are dangerous because they are part of the next generation who will go out and continue spreading the Gospel and loving those around them in His name.
Oh, I’m dangerous. I will not be subject to fear. I will not succumb to angry thoughts. I will not allow my circumstances to dictate the lens through which I see my Heavenly Father. No. The enemy will not get a foothold on me. He cannot use me as a puppet to stir up discord and discontentment. And I’ll continue to make myself readily available to God’s call and subject to His sanctification process, even when it’s painful. I’m going to continue sharing with others all that God is doing in my life. I’m going to continue to seek His will for my life, even when my flesh wants something else. I’m going to continuously and intentionally look for God in every circumstance and how it relates to His Word. I will have gratitude rolling off my lips, especially in reaction to negative thoughts spiraling in my head. I will make it a goal to encourage anyone I speak to. I will laugh and choose joy. The enemy wants to get me stirred up in the chaos swirling all around me, but he can’t. I remain still, resting in God, knowing He’s in control, and His plan is always for our good. I’m dangerous to the enemy because I choose to fight my flesh and selfishness (and it is a fight) for something more precious than any gem. I choose intimacy with the Lord. I choose Jesus.
I think of all the dangerous women in my life who have had victory after victory in Christ. I absolutely love celebrating those wins with them! Yes! You can be a dangerous woman, too. What do you say?
Written By: Clarissa Mangaran
