I’m sharing some Bible verses for deployment that have meant so much to my life!
When I was writing my first book, I had a thought of encouraging other military spouses with some of my experiences. About a year into the process of putting it together, I had a long talk with my publisher about the format. I felt that, in just telling and recounting stories of what I’d learned from decades as a military wife, I was leaving out one of the most important aspects of what had gotten me through–my faith.
You see, in leaving that part out, I was leaving out the biggest part of me. So we went back to the drawing board, reformatted, and rewrote the entire thing as a daily devotional, complete with the spiritual aspect and daily Scripture readings. Phew. Not exactly an easy task, but one I’m so glad we did!
I’ve had it on my heart for some months to share a few of the verses that have gotten me through years of separations and deployments, so I’d like to share those with you. God’s Word has seen me through long nights, busy days, wondering how to help my kids cope with yet another separation from their dad, and the feeling that I didn’t have the strength to do this another day. I have read these, said them aloud, and meditated on them through dark, wakeful nights and lonely moments. Why?
Because the Bible is powerful, and I need to be reminded regularly of the truth.
If you’re currently going through a separation, long TDY, or your spouse is deployed to a dangerous location, I hope you’ll find comfort in reading through these and being reminded that the God of the universe knows your circumstances exactly and is with you always. I’ve included a visual (I’m very visual, so I figure someone else is, too!) of these Bible verses for deployment for you to save, print out, or refer to later. All verses are NIV unless otherwise noted.
Blessings to you as you walk this path! In no particular order….
15 Bible Verses for Military Spouses Facing Deployment or Separation
If you’d like to download these Bible verses for deployment in a beautiful card format that you can print and keep with you, simply sign up for my newsletter here or at the bottom of this page and grab your free download!
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Psalm 27:13
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
2 Thessalonians 3:13
And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Romans 5:2-5
And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Psalm 61:1-3
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint;lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging
James 1:2-6
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faithproduces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Related resources:
Need more encouragement for deployment or military separation from your spouse? Browse all the tabs and find resources like my book, grab a downloadable devotional (see below), listen to the Milspouse Matters podcast, and find so much more support.
Do you have some favorite Bible verses for deployment? Please share!
Deployment Devotional
Don’t walk through deployment alone! This 5-day study takes you from pre-deployment through homecoming. You’ll find encouragement and tips for yourself, ideas for relating to and communicating with your spouse, and ways to help your children through this time, along with Scriptures to focus on each day, guided journal prompts, and practical action steps. 19 pages…
5 Responses
I can’t thank you enough for being willing to share your heart on the issue of military life. I am fairly new – as in 1 year – to this topic. I wish I could have found you at he beginning when I was distraught but finding the ministry of the Lord to be timely and healing. I have 2 sons in the Army: one Active and one Reserves (at the moment.) I’m going to order your book for my future daughter-in-law, in the hope that she’ll find your camaraderie sweet, perspective fresh, and wisdom indispensable.
Hello Caressa,
Thank you so much for commenting and reading. You made my day! I am certainly with you–our oldest son is also active duty, so we are navigating a whole new part of the military experience. You and your daughter-in-law will be in my prayers! Thank you again. Blessings, Jen
Thank you very much for this post. My boyfriend is a member of the United States Marine Corps. We were together through boot camp and I can easily say that first hug after separation is something unlike I’ve ever experienced before. He has been gone for 2.5 months in MOS and I just found out he will be gone for another 4. It’s hard to not feel alone but I am so glad I found people like you who have been through something similar. I can easily say that my faith is the only thing that really kept my hopes up. Thank you!!
You are such a blessing. My son is in Airforce. Recently married. They have made God their true focus of their relationship. So proud and blessed . Love her as my own. just found out he will be getting deployment earlier than expected. You have everything that will be a huge help. I keep you all in my prayers. I am adopted mom of many of all of our kids friends. Those that go in the military. know that this mom will always be there for them .. Love you and your beautiful soul.
Wow, thank you so much Janine for the kind words! I’m so glad the info will be helpful. Prayers and good thoughts for your son and his wife as they begin this military journey!