Thrive: Discovering Joy in the Trenches of Military Lifeਨਮੂਨਾ

Battling Anxiety in the Midst of Deployment Written by: K'lee Reynolds

My husband and I met in the middle of a 15-month deployment. He was home for two weeks of leave before he would return to a harsh combat zone. Completely clueless, I took a risk, knowing he might never talk to me again. I gave him my number before he left. I spent the next 7 months getting to know the man I would spend the rest of my life with over broken phone calls, spotty internet connections, letters, and care packages.

This would lead to marriage and then four more deployments to follow, with a lot of "gone" in between. This allowed room, LOTS OF ROOM, for the enemy to fill me with fear and doubt early on in our relationship. Being "gone" and navigating a long-distance relationship was the only thing we knew in our relationship. It was HARD.

Have you been there, military wife?

Fearing for your husband's safety, fearing for your marriage, consumed and anxious over so many things outside your control? Has there been lots of room for the enemy to fill your mind with lies? I encourage you to cling tight to Jesus, who is always there, even when your husband can't be.

The very definition of courage is to have strength in the face of pain or grief. The Lord doesn't promise us that there won't be pain and suffering, yet with the Holy Spirit's help, there can be courage that overflows from the love and grace we experience in a real relationship with Jesus. So, we don't have to be discouraged. We can have strength amid deployment, even on the hardest days.

When that bedroom is dark, cold, and lonely, start praying. Cry out to Jesus. Begin to devour the word of God and learn how much He loves you and how the creator of heaven and earth sits with you in every single moment. He sits with you, carries you, and even cries with you. He picks you up through the dark valley of deployment and carries you through it. It may be challenging. It may be messy, but the Lord will fight for you. He will fight for your military marriage. You just have to let go and let Him.

How do you discover joy in the trenches of military life?

By clinging to Jesus and not giving the enemy a foothold. Praying and soaking in the truth of scripture are active weapons to fight the enemy's tactics.