I have never understood the phrase, ‘strong independent woman.’ It’s not that I don’t like ladies with strong personalities - my wife is certainly that type. What confuses me, is why we set up ladies for failure with that statement.
Let’s be clear, I don’t like independent men either. We hear all the time, ‘no man is an island’, and readily accept it to be true - not that we fellas enjoy admitting that.
My problem with encouraging strong independent women or men is that we are sowing seeds of foolishness.
“He who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.”
Proverbs 18:1
None of us enjoy spending time with someone who clearly has their own interest ahead of ours. We are wired to be around people who are servants and care for our well being.
This is not to say that those people are pushovers and bend to our every whim. We follow leaders, and great leaders follow greater leaders.
A man or woman in isolation, ie independent, is not leading people or influencing - they are raging against wisdom.
We are created for relationships and unity. Seeking independence ensures that we are lonely, consumed with ourselves, and dying on the vine.
I have no problem with strong, confident, and visionary men or women - frankly, we need more of them.
But, when we disconnect from community, we are pouring roundup on the seeds we plant - there is no way anything healthy will come it.
What I would rather us cheer on, are strong and faithful individuals. Someone who knows who they are, and knows they are nothing without someone to bless. That is the kind of person I am willing to follow and serve with all that I am.