The Military Spouse
Introduction
Scripture speaks of a spouse in marriage as a “helpmate” – This could not be more true or more important than in military marriages. Military life challenges marital and family unity, health, and fruitfulness in unique ways. But for those wives and husbands (and children) whom the Lord calls to serve Him in the military, one’s spouse is a vital mate, encourager, coworker, servant, leader, and witness in this secular environment and several assignments.
Scripture References
Study the following biblical references and consider how they address the questions listed below. If using this outline with a Small Group, consider assigning different Scriptures to different individuals and relating them to one or more of the questions. Then scroll down the page to review our recommended resources for the topic of Stages of Growing as a Christian and consider how the various articles or podcasts provide further insights relating to this topic.
Genesis 2:18-24; Job 2:1-10; 1 Samuel 19:1-17; 1 Samuel 25:1-42; Ezekiel 24:15-27; Hosea 1:1-11; 2:14-20; 3:1-5; Matthew 1:18-25; Acts 18:1-6, 18-19, 24-28; Revelation 19:9;21:1-3, 9-10.
Questions
- Do you understand how you and your marriage mate, as helpmates to each other – in Creation imagery – complement each other and grow into one? Talk and pray about this with your spouse.
- Are you an encourager, not a pessimist nor a critic – like Job’s wife – for your mate? How?
- How do you protect your spouse from discouragement, criticism, and opposition?
- When has your spouse – like Abigail – interceded for and/or covered you? How?
- Is your mate “the delight of your eye” and heart – like Ezekiel’s? How can you deepen this for her/him against any who might tempt you from your marriage commitment?
- Has adultery broken your marriage or that of a military friend? Seek the Lord’s guidance to forgive, reform, and reunite your (or another’s) marriage – like Hosea.
- How did God lead you two together? Do you trust Him – like Joseph – to hold you together when there are strains, storms, and struggles?
- Do you seek and accept insights and ideas from your spouse? If so, how? If not, why?
- Who is discipling you? Who might you and your mate host into your home – Like Priscilla and Aquila – to fellowship, encourage, and disciple them or to share Christ in Bible study?
- How can you strengthen your relationship with your spouse – like the God-Israel and Christ-Church marriage imagery in scripture – to present her/him unto the Lord?
Recommended Resources
Following are a series of carefully selected resources that provide perspectives and experiences of various authors, most having military experience. These articles and podcasts are intended to stimulate further thinking and reflective application for individuals or to act as the basis of discussion in small groups.
Additional Resources
OCF offers many extra resources as you continue digging into the subdomain of The Military Spouse.
Walk in the Spirit
A prayer for military wives.
The Importance of a Support System for the Military Life | Episode 013
When the pressures of the military life and life in general seem overwhelming, who's your support system? Do you have a person or group that, like you, is running this most difficult of races, that you can rely on, and who in turn can depend on you when times get tough?
The effects of transition in the military
Those who have laced up boots or buttoned an Armed Forces uniform in service to our nation know all-too-well the difficult and tough terrain of the transitional military life they lead.
Keys to a Godly Marriage
Four keys to a godly marriage.
Heroes on the Homefront
Sometimes the heroes are the ones who stay behind.
Getting Intentional in Your Marriage
Thriving Christian marriages reveal prayerful planning and purposeful intention.
From Mid to Married to Mom
We’ve been through a lot in our four short years of marriage, but it’s been exciting to look back and see how God has been a part of it all, especially in the last two years. God poured out countless blessings on my husband in the pursuit of his dreams, making it through the arduous training without any major injuries or setbacks. I couldn’t be prouder of him!
Families should develop a support system
Take time to examine your own support system, or if you do not have one, get started now. The health of a marriage can often hinge upon the strength of the support system that has been established.
Excellent Military Wife
A paraphrased version of portions of Proverbs 31.
Allow God to use you in the humble tasks
I long to do great and noble things, but God reminds me it’s in the humble things that He can be extraordinary through me. Ultimately, I desire to be like Helen Keller: to do humble tasks as though they were great and noble.
