Military Kids at Risk

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Military Kids at Risk
Parent Anxieties

Q. All three of my children are serving in the military. I worry about them every minute of every day. Do you have any suggestions on how I can control my fears?

Answer:

First, let me thank your children for serving our country. Whether or not we agree with this war your children are helping to protect all of us from terrible dangers around the world. We are grateful to them.

There are no simple answers to your question. But, here are a few concepts and Scripture verses that every believer must know and memorize to help us cope with anxiety. (Our primary source for this information comes from author Jerry Bridges, Trusting God. We will also list some valuable resources that we encourage everyone to acquire for a library).

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1. God owns everything we have - even our children. We are just stewards of all that is His, including our children.

"The heavens are yours. The earth also is yours, the world and all that is in it, you have founded them" (Ps. 89:11).

2. God Creates&Controls Disasters.

"I form the light and create darkness. I bring prosperity and create disaster. I, the Lord, do all these things" (Isaiah 45:7).

3. The God who sustains trillions of galaxies also controls the nuts and bolts of a plane or a bomb!

"In Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17).

4. No one dies until God decides to take us home.

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:16).

5. Unfair Acts against us do not undermine God.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 13:31).

6. God turns Evil against us to Good

…"we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God" (Ro. 8:28).

7. We Trust God no matter What!

"Even though He slay me yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).

8. Because God controls All He tells us to Pray about Everything

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds…" (Phil. 4:6).

9. No Weapon against us will Prosper

Finally, don't forget this verse: "No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17).

Jerry Bridges concludes, there is no problem that is equal to an unbeliever's eternal separation from God. If your children are saved that is a great gift. In this case we always carry with us the awesome hope and belief in resurrection and the fact that we will see our children again in Heaven.

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References:

Bridges, Jerry. 1988. (2008 ed.). Trusting God even when life hurts. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.

MacArthur, John. 2006 ed. Anxious for nothing. Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications.

TouchPoints for troubled times. 2003. Wheaton, ILL: Tyndale.