So, your spouse is gone and you are "left behind" and possibly it is getting rough for you. Deployment is never easy. I think we kid ourselves if we say otherwise. When I was in Iraq for the war I wrote this article for others to draw comfort from. I send it lovingly to you in hopes that it will encourage you and bless you. I think reasons eight, nine, and 10 below are especially important. It is simply entitled, "10 Reasons to Hope when you are Hurting."

1. GOD IS TRULY IN CONTROL

If God is God, then nothing happens apart from His knowledge and permission. While it is difficult to imagine why God allows some painful things to happen, His character, revealed in the Bible and through the testing of generations, leads us to the conclusion that He is willing and able to sustain you during your very worst of times. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:8,9

2. THERE IS AN ETERNAL LIFE TO COME

Yet what we suffer now is NOTHING compared to the Glory He will give us later. Romans 8:18. He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:8

3. THE STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET

Time after time, the Bible records hopeless situations that ultimately ended in victory. Think of Job's sickness; David's adultery, and the many who were healed in mind, body, and spirit; Joseph's betrayal by his brothers. But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people." ~ Genesis 50:19, 20

4. GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON YOU

Don't give up on Him: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

5. THERE IS LIKELY PURPOSE IN YOUR PAIN

Ask God to reveal His purpose in allowing this difficulty in your life. That's a legitimate question to ask. Often, the answer comes in the process of dealing with your circumstances. Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. ~ James 1:2-4

6. YOU ARE LOVED Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually loved so much by God, that He let His Son die a terrible death to restore their relationship. God does love you! He sees your pain and weeps with you. "He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory. ~ Isaiah 61:1-3

7. YOUR PRAYERS ARE HEARD

You parents—if your children ask you for a loaf of bread do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him? ~ Matthew 7:9, 10

8. YOU ARE NOT FACING THIS ALONE

For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." That is why we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" ~ Hebrews 13:5, 6

9. OTHERS HAVE MADE IT THROUGH—YOU CAN TOO

Try to connect with others who have gone through similar situations. You will find hope, strength, and encouragement. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:12

10. REACH OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO'S STRUGGLING

Place your focus on someone else and invest your life in him or her. You may discover that your peace of mind is found in being a source of hope for another. All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, he is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ~2 Corinthians 1:3-4

If you or someone you know is in need of care, please put the in contact with their unit chaplain. Support your unit Family Readiness Group. Remember, we are in this together—you might be fine, but someone else might not be. You might not need to be part of the FRG group, but maybe, just maybe, you will be that one person to help someone that does attend. If you never show up, they might not get the only help you can provide.

May God bless and keep you strong. May He keep our loved ones safe. May His love overflow us always!