Love is Patient.

I am so glad God gave us relationships to help us go through life. Relationships with family, relationships with friends, and then… romantic relationships. However, relationships are hard. God knew that when he ordained love. In 1 Corinthians 13: 7, He even warns that love would need to “bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things.”

One of the hardest things I think love can endure is distance. There are so many different circumstances that lead to long distance relationships: military, moving, college, meeting online, etc. As someone who is personally enduring distance in a relationship, I am always looking for wise counsel and good advice. That is why I asked my awesome, strong, and totally adorable friend Brittany to write us some advice. Brittany has been married to her husband for 5 months, and he has been away for 4 of them- talk about enduring all things! I hope her words bless you as much as they bless me on a daily basis!

Ever wonder how to survive a long distance relationship? How to survive the heartache of being away from the one you loved?
I wondered how other people do it and told myself “I could never do that…“; I would never put myself in that position.
Well guess what? I’m in that position. Funny how things work, huh?

Most long distant relationships couples can call everyday, text everyday, and even Skype everyday. In mine, I can’t do that. Why you ask? Well, my husband is a United States Marine. He just finished boot camp almost a month ago and he is still in training now. I’ve been married to him for 5 months and 4 of those months he has been away from me and I rely on the mailman in hopes he has a letter for me from my husband.

It’s hard waking up every single day and putting a smile on your face and acting like everything is okay. Most people can’t do that, but every morning I take time to pray and do a daily devotion. If God was not part of my life I would not be able to do this. I would not be able to be married to someone who is in the military. I would not be able to show the world that I am stronger with each and every day. God is the center of my everyday life, along with my husband. Every time I feel weak and I’m going to break down and cry I pray. I ask God to give me the strength to keep that smile on my face. Sometimes it’s okay to cry. Crying shows that you have emotion and without crying you can’t get stronger.

This verse is everywhere; in my room, my bathroom, and my car. Every time I read it I get a sense of strength and peace.
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. (Joshua 1:9)

God is always with you, no matter what. You may feel lonely being away from your love but don’t EVER forget that God never leaves you and is always there to listen. My husband and I have a verse that we write in our letters.
May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. (Genesis 31:49)

My husband feels very guilty being away from me for so long and not being able to call for months. He says God created man to watch and protect his wife at all times and I can’t do that when I am away from you. So, I found that verse one day doing my devotions and I mailed it to him. He was overcome with so much peace and gratitude the Lord is always watching over.

Being in a long distant relationship is very exhausting. Wondering what they are doing, how they are doing, if he is okay. But with God all those worries and fears subside. I have never had a stronger relationship with the Lord than through being a marine wife. When he first left for boot camp I questioned myself, “Why is God putting me in this situation? Is he punishing me for something by me being away from my husband?” At first I was mad at God, but I needed him in order to be able to survive all of this.

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)
God brings you through anything He puts in front of you. If you don’t have God, your long distance relationship will not work. Everyday is another day farther than you last saw them but another day closer to the day you will see them.
Stay strong! Always remember: God is on your side.

A special thank you to Brittany Andras, USMC Wife.