Read the following descriptions carefully and prayerfully.

Each of them will be explored in the book, but this will give you an overview of what almost every Strong-Willed Woman has in common. Is this your heart? Does this describe so much of your innermost being? Are you a part of this unique and wonderful group of Godly women?

Deep in my heart, there is a desire
to make a difference.

I am not content to simply blend in with the crowd. I want to do something significant, something extraordinary. It may not shake the whole world, but I want to make sure my corner of it is never the same.

How this can take the wrong direction:
Before God transforms my will, I run the risk of alienating others. I can start finding any way possible to be different, to insure that I do not conform to the expectations of those I often resent for dictating the rules to me in the first place.

I am not content to simply “coast”—
I must keep pedaling.

Laziness certainly does not appear to be a trait that shows up among Strong-Willed Women at all. In fact, if anything, most of us tend to chafe under the constraints of waiting for just about anything. Isn’t there something I can do to move things along? Shouldn’t someone be doing something? Let’s take action!

How this can take the wrong direction:
I can live in a consistent state of impatience with just about everything and almost everyone. I can find myself snapping at others who won’t move at my pace, and making unreasonable demands of those who love me best yet often understand me least.

I need to be involved—to become part of the solution to compelling problems.

I am energized by the process of finding answers to problems that no one else could solve. The idea that something is impossible only fuels my resolve to discover the solution that will prove it was possible after all.

How this can take the wrong direction:
I can step into situations without invitation and insinuate myself in circumstances where I’m not really welcome. There’s no such thing as “None of my business.”

I have no reverse gear—only drive.
(I’ll drive around the block to go backwards….)

Perhaps it’s my overall philosophy of “what’s done is done—let’s move on.” I don’t try to go backwards and undo the past. Even if I immediately sense I’ve made the wrong decision, I keep driving forward, looking for a way to make things right.

How this can take the wrong direction:
I can live as though we are never wrong, never retreating--only advancing regardless of the price.

I am very diverse in my interests and careers

I never want to be stuck in a job because I have no other choice. Most Strong-Willed Women have held literally dozens of jobs, usually two or three simultaneously. I thrive by moving from the known to the unknown. I want to be able to do anything I need to whenever I need to do it, and I believe that life’s too short to be miserable in a job you hate.

How this can take the wrong direction:
I can get the reputation of never holding down a job for any length of time. I can switch jobs when I get bored, regardless of who I’m letting down in the process.

I have a strong desire to do the right thing

With or without specific rules, I want you to assume the best in me—I have a deep-seated desire to do the moral and decent thing in any situation. It’s why rules are often simply “guidelines”—as long as I know the point of the rule, why must I follow every picky requirement?

How this can take the wrong direction:
I can flaunt authority and run roughshod over those who insist I follow step-by-step procedures or explicit rules.

I’m willing to step up, even if no one else has the courage to join me

Even if I lack specific training in a particular kind of crisis, I’m still willing to step out and do something while others look helplessly around wondering what to do. I am not content to stay behind the lines and wistfully wait for someone to rescue me.

How this can take the wrong direction:
I may blunder into things like a bull in a china shop—regardless of the consequences. I may make others feel small or stupid because they didn’t take the same risks I was willing to take.

Well, what do you think? Could it be that you have just read a pretty accurate description of yourself? Did you notice how easily our best qualities can become major drawbacks? I love being a Strong-Willed Woman, but it’s a daily challenge to walk that fine line between holy convictions and self-righteous pride.
I think you’ll enjoy your journey in self-discovery throughout the chapters of this important book. I know you’ll be encouraged to find out how many other women share your views and celebrate the fulfillment that can only come as a result of transforming that incredible strong will to the One who gave it to you in the first place. Watch out—you’re about to change the world!