Let It Go: Learn to Trust the One Who Holds Everything Togetherনমুনা

Everything is Going to be Okay!
By: Tracy Spaulding

Our family typically rings in the New Year with goals, plans, selecting a verse or song to be our theme for the upcoming year, and joyful celebrations with friends. This year, our excitement for the New Year is shadowed by the ‘see-you-laters’ we will be saying shortly after the ball drops. What is it about deployment that makes us question our abilities, military wife?

My heart knows I am fully capable of continuing to run our household in my husband’s absence, but my head is full of doubt, sadness, and fear. Reality has hit and everything will fall on me instead of the shared responsibilities we face as a team when my husband is home.

Within the safe and understanding spaces of our military circles, we often talk about the struggles and surprises that arise during deployment or how hard it is to overcome and rally the strength to thrive under pressure. If you’re like me, you spend so much time trying to convince everyone (including yourself) that “you’ve got this” that you sometimes forget to invite Jesus to stand beside you in the struggle, and you fight the battle alone.

As I look ahead to this deployment and start making my checklists (to include the tasks my husband usually takes care of) I can’t help but feel overwhelmed. Not only will I miss my best friend when he’s gone, but the fear of spinning my wheels to do and be everything that’s needed in his absence is enough to bring me to tears.

The burden of being a strong military wife sure is a heavy one to carry.

As I pray and seek to overcome the fear and unknown we all face during deployments, I’m reminded of the truth that gives peace to my heart when I rest and abide with the Lord.

My hope is that it will bring you comfort, too. God does not lay the same expectations on us that we have claimed for ourselves.

That flat tire or busted appliance in the first week of deployment, He knows.

The extensions and changing homecoming dates that fill you with anxiety, He knows.

That horrible round of sickness that takes down your whole family, He knows.

The lonely nights that make you question if military life is worth it, He knows.

God is not surprised by the difficulties we will face in this upcoming season, nor does He expect us to face these challenges on our own. How quickly we forget that the Lord has not only already faced our battles, He has conquered them!

Everything is going to be okay, military wife. Colossians 1 reminds us that the work is already finished. The blood He willingly shed on the cross is proof that He has already reconciled everything to Himself and stands victorious on the throne. He is ready and waiting for me, and you, to abide with Him in peace.

Our God is not worried or fearful; He is in all things and brings us peace. With that simple truth, I will abide in Him. It is good to soak in God’s promises again and again. Spend time in Colossians 1 again and use Psalm 46 as a guide for prayer and worship.