Military careers often collide with family plans–from deployment to unplanned duty time. If you have a loved one in the military, here are 5 tips for finding balance while accepting the particular demands placed on those who serve:
1) Choose to react to change with grace.
Often military personnel are faced with extra and unplanned and duty time. Before this happens, decide you’ll accept that kind of news with support and understanding.
2) Pray for their frustration.
When military personnel have to cancel or postpone family commitments, they’re struggling as much as we are. By praying for them, it refocuses our irritation and grants us God’s perspective.
3) Love them through it.
It’s so easy to get angry over dashed plans, but so often it’s not your loved one’s fault. They didn’t make the change, ask for the change or even want the change. By loving them where they are, we can be the support they need so they can focus on the job they’ve committed to perform.
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4) Keep the lines of communication open.
Sometimes we can withdraw when we’re hurt or feel let down. Now isn’t the time for the silent treatment.
5) Check your expectations.
When we develop unreasonable expectations, pause and remember it’s important to support one another. Also, our total fulfillment cannot be tied to one person—not even a spouse. Instead, we need to make sure we’re drawing strength from God.
A military commitment is something to take pride in, not a situation to fight over. By building a solid foundation of mutual growth and support, we can tackle the tough times and come through with flying colors.
