We all have those nights when we just can’t fall asleep. Whether it’s because we are letting stress get the best of us, we had too much caffeine, or we are too excited about something, the bottom line is we just can’t relax enough to fall asleep.
As the clock continues to tick, we think about how much time we have left.
“If I fall asleep now, I can get 6 hours sleep.”
“If I fall asleep now, I can get 5 1/2 hours sleep.”
On the game goes, with no end in sight.
Much of the world has turned to regularly taking “non-habit forming” sleep aides to help get their much needed rest. Why is it that our world can’t find sleep? Too busy? Too stressed? Not getting adequate nutrition and exercise?
I think that the majority of the time, we aren’t giving our problems to God. We have had hectic days or had to deal with unpleasant things, and we are having a hard time “turning off” our mind to relax. Women, especially, seem to sit and think about the things in life that concern them. It is our natural tendency, and we need to find a way to stop it so we can get a good night’s rest. The morning comes too quickly for us to not be sleeping at night.
Years ago, I heard a sermon on starting our day the night before. At the time I though it was interesting, but didn’t really take it to heart. It wasn’t until I was reading in Genesis with my kiddos that I became very aware of something that I had never paid attention to before. When God created the world, every day is:
“And the evening and the morning, the _____ day“.
Hmm…. Evening and morning. All my life I saw days starting in the morning. That is the beginning of the day, right? Well, here we see that God says evening first. Even the Holy days and Sabbaths are observed starting at sundown the night before. God also tells us that we are to not let the sun go down on our anger. Why? Maybe because if we start our day off with festering in our hearts, it will make the rest of the day suffer.
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Ephesians 4:26
Having a quiet time and Bible study in the morning can make such a huge difference, but what about spending time with God at bedtime? The days I have the best, most restful sleep are the ones where I took time to pray before I fell asleep. By starting the day when God made it, we can focus on Him and be able to get better rest, not carry our worries from yesterday to today, and be better equipped to handle the things of today.
Many a night, I have felt worried or stressed and began praying about my troubles. As I give all of my problems to God, a wonderful sense of peace replaces the angst. As I continue to pray, now much more relaxed, I am able to drift off to sleep. I used to feel a little guilty, like I had been disrespectful to God, but now I see it as God is easing me to sleep. As He takes all my worries, He allows my body to rest peacefully.
What a wonderful God we have, who not only takes all our cares upon Him, but gives us much needed rest.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
I had never thought of starting my days at night, at least not the way you described it. Great idea! I do plan at night for the following day and try to end my day (or begin it?) with a reading from Psalms and a prayer. I agree that it does help me to relax and turn everything over to the Lord.
Excellent post! I’m a new follower, visiting from Raising Arrows.
Keri @ http://www.growinginhisglory.com
Hi, Keri. It’s great to hear from someone else who has seen how giving things to God at night can help. It just seems to make such a difference, doesn’t it? Thanks for the comment, and I’m thrilled you are a new follower! Thanks
Wow! This hit home. So often I used to sit awake at night unable to sleep and often I found that when I couldn’t sleep I would start praying. I’ve often said that the only reason God stops us from falling asleep is because somebody needs prayer (even if that somebody is yourself). Thank you for this post, it’s good to know I’m not the only one who has thought this way.
I love your thought about us needing to stay up to pray for someone! Especially with kiddos, night time can be the perfect opportunity to pray for those in need. Thanks so much for the comment, and I’m glad you enjoyed this!
Trina…what encouragement! I try to remember to pray before closing my eyes. Or I read a short devotional so that my heart is set on God. When I don’t, I do notice that I don’t always sleep well. Thank you for the reminder and for sharing at WJIM.
I’m glad this was encouraging for you! Sleep is so important for our bodies, and I find it interesting that being closer to God helps to improve our sleep. Not only is a good relationship with God crucial for our spiritual health, but it also improves our physical. Thanks for commenting.
One of my favorite bedtime thoughts is
“In peace I shall lie down and sleep, for you alone, O lord, make yoru children dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
I also find it very helpful to go to bed with some sort of comforting imagery from scripture- such as being gathered under His wings or covered with His robes of righteousness.
glad I found you on the blog hop-
Emily
http://www.weakandloved.com/
Great verse! I find it helpful to envision things, also. Something about “seeing” it in our mind can be helpful and a good reminder. Thanks for the comment!
Wow! I really needed to read this post. I haven’t been sleeping well for months, and so I’ve been reading to pass the time until I get tired enough to go back to sleep. Why haven’t I thought to be reading my Bible or a devotional, or just to pray?!? Thank you for this encouragement and new perspective! Hopefully it does wonders for both my soul and my body!
Oh, my heart goes out to you- it is so hard on us when we can’t get good sleep! I really hope this helps you. By giving it to God, you can relax in Him. Thanks for sharing!
I am a new follower on Twitter from the Women Living Well blog hop. This post hit home. I was up until 11 last night and then woke up at 3:30 and 4:30 with my husband and son respectively. I know I am not sleeping well because my husband just had surgery and I have been very stressed. I should have tried reading my Bible and spending time in prayer last night instead of dreading 5:30 when my alarm goes off for work.
http://www.adventureswithcaptaindestructo.com
When we have big stresses in our lives, like your husband’s surgery, we can get so overwhelmed we seem to forget who we need to turn to. I will definitely say a prayer for your hubby, and that he recovers quickly. Hopefully, by giving your worries to God and spending time with Him, He will bless your body with good rest. Thanks for commenting!
Hello, Trina – Just discovered your blog tonight through the “Encouraging One Another” blog hop – and am your newest follower! I must say it is sooo refreshing to find others here – like yourself – who have discovered the blessings of starting your day in the evening! Something I just started doing as well, after studying the passage in Genesis. Things always go better when we do them God’s way – thank you for sharing this! Blessings – Pauline
Hi, Pauline. I, too, have really enjoyed meeting others who are trying to discover God’s way, not just what’s the social norm. As I continue to seek these things, I am amazed at how God keeps showing me more. Thanks for the comment!
Stopping by from Life In Bloom. Great ideas here!!! I had never thought about thinking of the evening being the start of my day (starting my day with sleep…that’s a good thing! haha!). Wonderful post. Blessings from Croatia: A Little R & R: http://www.littlerandr.org
Thanks for stopping by! You’re right it does sound fun to start our day with sleep. I’m glad you liked this, and thanks for commenting!