angelaschmeling

Something that has always stood out to me about lions is how the males will often leave their birth pride to go and find—or build—another pride that they can lead. When you really think about it, that parallel is so beautiful. It reminds me of Jesus leaving heaven to come down to earth, to build a relationship with us and ultimately give His life on the cross. It’s no wonder they call Him the Lion of Judah.

Lions are truly magnificent creatures—strong, powerful, and incredibly loyal. There is so much we could unpack about how they reflect Christ. But today, I actually want to shift the focus a bit and talk about the lionesses.

Years ago, Lisa Bevere wrote a powerful book called Lioness Arising: Wake Up and Change Your World. In it, she dives into the nature of lionesses and how their behavior can teach us about strengthening relationships and even changing the world around us. That message has stuck with me.

Because here’s the thing—I’ve said this so many times before, but relationships matter. They really do. And in this post-COVID world, I think we’ve lost sight of that more than we’d like to admit.

We’ve gotten used to isolation. To texts instead of conversations. To the occasional phone call (seriously, does anyone call anymore? lol). To surface-level social media interactions instead of real, meaningful connection.

But we were never created to live that way.

We need to get back to gathering. To being present. To spending intentional time with people and cultivating relationships that actually matter.

We need to find our tribe.

And that brings me back to lionesses.

Lionesses don’t do casual. They aren’t about surface-level connection. They are deeply relational, strategic, and often committed for life.

A pride is made up of related females—mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins. While male lions often leave, lionesses stay. They grow up together, and because of that, they form deep emotional and social bonds that strengthen not just their relationships, but their very survival.

They don’t just coexist—they depend on one another.

How incredible would it be if we had friendships like that? Relationships that go beyond the occasional text or yearly coffee date?

Relationships built on loyalty. On trust. On showing up.

Lionesses are also relentless defenders.

And that’s something we need to take to heart.

We are called to defend the relationships in our lives—in love. Because how can we expect to build strong, lasting relationships if we allow others—or even ourselves—to tear people down?

We need to be people who protect, encourage, and stand up for one another. People who choose unity.

Not just in our friendships, but in the church.

Because the truth is, the church needs this too. We need relationships that are rooted in unity—with each other and with the Father. When that happens, the impact doesn’t just stay within our circles… it ripples outward into the world around us.

Scripture reminds us of this so clearly:

Philippians 2:4
“Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Romans 12:16
“Live in harmony with one another…”

1 Corinthians 1:10
“…that there be no divisions among you…”

Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Lionesses are extraordinary because they work together.
They raise a community.
They defend their pride with fierce, unbreakable unity.

They thrive because of their deep, enduring bonds—their loyalty, their cooperation, their shared purpose.

And maybe… just maybe… we’re meant to take a page from their example.

To build our own tribe.
Our own “pride.”

One that is strong and fierce, yet kind and loving.
One that is unified, grounded in faith, and centered on God.

Because that’s where true thriving begins—not just in our relationships, but in our lives.

And from that place?

We can truly make an impact on the world around us. 💛