"But he could die!"

In this confusing decision of whether or not to stay in the Army, there have been some tough concerns that have been brought up. Things I failed to mention in my last entry. Things I failed to mention on purpose. My husband's grandfather (Shout out to Jim, you are one of my absolute favorite men in this world.) said something to me when we were discussing these options a few months back. It was something along the lines of testing fate. Mike had gone off to 2 different active war zones and came home in one piece. So, why take another chance? Who knows how many chances you will get, eh? Like Jim, I have had this very thought a countless number of times. Each and every time I force myself to put it away and not give it any credence. Why?

Isaiah 43:1-4 MSG
 But now, God’s Message,
    the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
    the One who got you started, Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
    I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
    When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
    it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
    The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
    all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
    That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
    trade the creation just for you.

Because I know in my soul that God loves Mike way more than I could ever love him. Because I refuse to speak death like that over my husband and my family.

Proverbs 18:21 NIV
The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Because when these risks of danger come up, I pray fervently for his safety and protection. For him to be brought home to me.

Mark 11:22-24 NIV
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.  “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

My faith leaves me with absolutely ZERO doubt that my husband will be safe. That is one thing I can say I did well with each deployment. I didn't worry about Mike's life. I didn't think it even possible that he could be taken from me. I would get around others who would have their worries and doubts, and naturally I would start to feel them as well. It's a strangling fear that wraps it's icy hands around your throat and tries to squeeze every ounce of life out of you. That is when I had to stand up and take my peace back. Faith is a choice. You choose to know these things that God has promised are real and true. Or you don't. But the decision is yours.

My children could get shot at school. Especially the county I live in. Just about every child knows how to use a gun and has access to at least one. Should I homeschool? Then again, there's been a string of armed robberies lately... Should I move to a compound? What about shopping at the mall where gunman have killed many? Should I do all my shopping online? How about the movie theater? Maybe I should only stick to Pay-Per-View? People are getting blown up or shot at work. Entire buildings are being taken down with hijacked airplanes. I guess I should work from home and never ever fly again? I hope you see my point...

I refuse to live in fear. I refuse to live as if my life or my family's lives are in constant jeopardy. If I did, I would have to make every decision (as illustrated above) as if it were life or death. So in deciding whether to continue with the Army or not, we don't consider life and death. Mike's life and wellbeing we place in the Father's hands, not the Army's. I pray you can understand what I am saying, if you can't then I pray you at least respect it.  

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Proverbs 29:25 NIV
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Romans 8:15-17 MSG
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!