Most of us have a sleepless night once in a while. Some of us, like me, fall asleep as soon as our head hits the pillow, which I am told is a blessing. But what about people who just cannot seem to get to sleep? I received an email a while back about this problem. I confess right up front that I am one who almost never has a problem falling asleep. In fact, my wife would claim I have the opposite problem!
Most often, the inability to sleep, known as “insomnia,” is accompanied by or is the result of “free floating anxiety,” that is, bad thoughts that float in and out of your mind all night long. These anxieties could be worries about sickness, finances, old age, grief, even worries about not getting to sleep. Sometimes one may be so angry, depressed, frustrated, even excited about things they cannot drift of to sleep.
One thing I know for sure is this: the gift of salvation includes things like safety and health. Because of God’s salvation, Christians should be able to rest and sleep, knowing they are being watched over and protected by God.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
Worry is essentially is a sin and indicates a lack of faith and trusting in the Lord and in the promises contained in His Word. That’s not to say we shouldn’t be concerned about things. There is a vast difference between proper and responsible concern and uncontrolled worry, however.
It might be helpful, if you can’t get to sleep, to read then meditate on these Scriptures:
- Psalm 3:5 The Lord sustains for sleep
- Psalm 4:8 The Lord gives safety for sleep
- Psalm 127:2 God give those He loves sleep
- Prov. 3:24 Sleep is promised
- Jer. 31:1-26 The assurance of the Lord gives sleep
- Matt. 11:28 Rest is promised from labor
- Isa. 26:3 How to receive peace
Sometimes just reading the Bible will bring sleep; other times praying for people will help your mind to relax. There are times when sleeplessness is just the manifestation of deeper problems that need to be dealt with through prayer, behavioral changes, counseling, and even proper medical care.
Of course, if you can’t sleep because of a bad back or physical pain, for goodness sake get a new mattress or see a doctor! Or if you sleep with your dog, maybe it’s your dog that can’t sleep and it’s keeping you up. We have a 7 pound Yorkie Poo that seems to take up the whole bed sometimes.
Whatever the reason you can’t fall asleep, I pray that you find some peace through the Word of God or that He will show you what you should do. There is rarely anything worth losing sleep over.
