When someone you love is deployed, life can get tough. You don’t need anyone to remind you of that. But you may need some other reminders.
To combat the fear and stress that seem to overwhelm us during these times, I’ve come up with a list of five things to remember during deployment.
1) Put stress in perspective.
When life is tough, the stress feels as if it can go on forever. It won’t. It’s temporary. Keep that in mind when a things feel overwhelming.
2) Enjoy the good moments when they come.
I worked hard not to wish my life away when I was struggling with a son in the military. I had a family at home, and I learned to embrace joyful moments when they came. You can’t bottle up the good times and bank them for when your loved one is around, so let life happen. Having someone you love deployed isn’t a reason to feel guilty when things are good.
3) Forget keeping a stiff upper lip.
For most of us, stress heightens our emotions, making the highs higher and the lows lower. Release the idea of always being a pillar of strength and let the emotions surface. Don’t let them overwhelm you, but bottling them up can lead to disaster.
4) Accept help.
It’s easy to isolate ourselves when life gets tough. Whether or not those around you are facing the same issues isn’t an excuse to disappear. Having a love one in the military isn’t the time to adopt a bunker mentality.
Let those close to you rally around. Even more, ask for the help you need. So often it’s hard to know how to help a military family. Don’t be selfish; communicate and let others experience the blessings of service. You’ll feel better and so will the one who’s deployed, knowing you are cared for.
5) Plug in to God.
God promises us a peace that passes all understanding, and He does not disappoint. Pull out your Bible, find a friend or a group to pray with and don’t avoid the help that’s always at hand.
These reminders have kept me strong over the years. Some I figured out on my own. Others came as suggestions. I encourage you to pass them along to other military families.
