Keeping God First in the Midst of Big Change

I've been blessed to share in this beautiful online space here at The Better Mom for over four years. A lot of things (both good and hard) have transpired in my life. I am thankful to have shared many of my personal and family struggles along with the encouragement that God has our back no matter what things "feel" like. I am also thankful for the precious women in this community who have supported me and rooted me on as I try my best to serve the Lord in all I do.

Today's post is yet another one of encouragement as my family faces some big changes ahead that will impact us in a way like never before. Perhaps you are also facing some big changes that are making it a challenge for you to keep God first? If so, I encourage you to read this post as I share my heart with you as we are smack dab in the middle of a big, permanent change within our family.

If you had told me this time last year that my husband was going to be retiring early from the Army due to combat related injuries, I wouldn't have believed it. My husband has always been a strong, healthy man who bounces back from anything life throws his way. He loves God in a way that I've never seen before and is a real-life example of a man of integrity. But life has its way of working out our faith by trial and fire, doesn't it? 

I should probably first share with you that my husband had never planned to join the military. As a matter of fact when we were married in June of 2000, we had just graduated from the university where we met and were ready to conquer the world for Christ. We had bought our first home together and were doing our best to become the best husband and wife possible. A year after we were married came our first bundle of joy - life couldn't have been sweeter.

Then 9/11 happened.

It was on this tragic day that my husband felt compelled to join the Army and go fight against those who were threatening our country and our freedom. So after much prayer and discussion, we had peace, and the next thing I knew my husband was off to boot camp and our lives changed drastically. My husband has served on 5 year-long combat tours and not without damage to his body and mind. We've lived all over the world in several states and even a foreign country.

This military life is what I've known for the past 15 years and now it's coming to an end.

Even though God has shown us that He has prepared us for this very moment, it's so tempting to be worried about what the future will look like. Even though the Lord has shown us that this early separation is what we've been praying for, it's still not easy to listen to Him and not the voices of worry around me and in my head. But I know that I need to fight to keep God first - particularly in this season of big change.

I want to encourage you today to strive to keep God first in the midst of big change. One way to do so is through God's Word. I want to share with you 5 Bible verses that have helped me keep God first when my family and I are facing big changes. If you are facing a season of uncertainty in your life, I pray these 5 scriptures will help bring you as much peace and clarity as they have for me.

1. Isaiah 40:21 KJV, " But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

2. Isaiah 43:2 KJV, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

3. Isaiah 41:10 KJV, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

4. John 16:33 KJV, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

5. Psalm 55:22 KJV, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Carlie Kercheval
fulfillingyourvows.com
todaysfrugalfamily.com