I lay down and
slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. (Psalm 3:5)
I’ve
had a little trouble sleeping lately. I suppose most of us go through seasons
of insomnia or at least restless nights. But sleep is precious to me; my night’s
rest or lack thereof is such a huge predictor of my next day.
A
good day’s work, scheduled and simple meals, and regular exercise all help me
get to sleep and stay asleep at night. But sometimes, despite my adherence to
such habits, sleep eludes me.
My
recent struggles with sleep are more than likely due to anxiety. I wrestle with
anxious thoughts, doubts, and worries that flood my mind as I lay my head down. But
I know that this is not God’s will for me.
God
wants us to be a people at rest. He provides rest for our weary souls, solace
for our anxious hearts, and peace for our restless minds. Not only does He
command that we take sufficient time to rest, but He provides the security I
need so I can rest.
My
ability to rest--to sleep, to relax, to live with ease, to cease from
fretting--hinges on my ability to trust my God. If I trust Him to sustain me,
then I will rest, as Psalm 3:5 indicates.
As
I’ve struggled with sleepless nights in recent months, I’ve learned a few
things I can do, in addition to eating right and exercising, in order to sleep.
You might find these helpful, too.
- Read
something soothing, entertaining, and spiritually uplifting. I resist the
notion of reading something weighty at night. Instead I opt for fiction,
usually Christian fiction. Following words on the page with my tired eyes soothes
me, but also creates a sort of lullaby effect, lulling me to sleep.
- End
the day with prayer. When I put my book away, I speak my final words to the
Lord. Whether I speak it out loud (when my husband is asleep or yet to come to
bed) or simply in my heart and head, I thank the Lord for the blessings of the
day and praise Him for who He has revealed Himself to be that day. And if I’m
anxious about something in particular, I address that with Him briefly and
leave it there.
- Meditate
on truth. Laying on my side and awaiting slumber, I close my eyes and say my
memory verses in my mind, thinking through the biblical truths and allowing
them to bring me peace and assurance.
Our
God desires for us to be a people at rest, proving through our restful slumber
that we have a God who is sufficient to handle every situation that may pull at
our hearts and tug at our minds. How are you sleeping these days?
Counting sheep
may work for some, but counting your blessings, reciting truth or praising the
character traits of God may prove more sustaining. Trust God as you lie down
tonight and sleep well.
Labels: 2014 Daily Devotional, anxiety, rest
