Having someone close to us serving in the military can make for hectic times with looming deployments, homecomings, changes of duty stations, unexpected training exercises and dangerous assignments. Through it all, I’ve found it helps to have a spiritual foundation so my world won’t come crashing down around me.
Years ago, when my son enlisted, I came up with a list that I still copy into the front of every journal I keep even though my son is now a civilian. Even without military stress, life can still spiral out of control so I’ve found this list every bit as valuable now as it was then. Some items are Bible verses and others are just truths that I’ve come to know in my heart:
7 Daily Reminders
1) Memory Helps If You Use It
So often my worries and fears stem from forgetting what I learned in the past. I use my journal to record instances of God’s faithfulness and wisdom imparted by others. When life gets scary, I go back and re-read those pages.
2) God Is Always With Us—And Those We Love
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)
3) My Loved One Knows I Love Him
When my son enlisted, I worried that I hadn’t said “I love you” enough or that I’d done something to make him doubt my love. Once I let go of those unfounded worries, my whole family was happier.
4) God Has a Plan
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)
5) Worrying Won’t Help
No matter what is going on, the fact that I’m worried about it won’t affect the outcome. I can pray about the matter and seek wise counsel, but rehearsing “what-if’s” is counterproductive.
6) Fear Is My Enemy
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NASB)
7) I Don’t Have to Go It Alone
Whatever it is, there is someone who will come alongside to help me cope. Not only is God always with me, I have friends and family who are here to support me. All I have to do is ask.
