Wisdom Wednesday
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
How do you go with sleep?
For many of us, we have grown up hearing that 7 or 8 hour of sleep is the goal and that good sleep is crucial to a good life.
But I’m not here to talk about a lack of sleep related to lifestyle or health factors but rather to stress and anxiety.
Most of us can remember one of these nights. When our minds feel like they are going faster than usual. When thoughts swirl around like a cyclone. When sleep feels a long way away because of the anxiety. Or maybe for you it’s waking up at 2am and you are already thinking about work or the day ahead.
Often this anxiety and stress comes from something that feels out of control. A work situation, a relational issue or a consequence of sin.
So let’s come to this verse in the Psalm. Is there wisdom to be gained here? It’s interesting to consider Jesus in the boat during the storm. The disciples think they are going to die. Jesus is sleeping happily.
The Psalmist says that the reason he can sleep securely is because God causes him to dwell in safety. It’s the writer's trust in God that causes peaceful sleep.
I’ve actually experienced something of this. I have lost a lot of sleep over life’s stresses. I’ve a tendency to overthink, overanalyse and overclock in doing so. But knowing that God is in control, knowing that He is at work for my good, knowing that my sins against God are forgiven and that my hope is in heaven the place of ultimate safety, has actually led to much more peaceful sleep.
Do you know these things?
For Today:
Pray: Praise the Father who is in control and leads us safety in the new creation. Give thanks for Jesus who forgives our sins and gives us true rest in Him. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others sleep peacefully.
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
How do you go with sleep?
For many of us, we have grown up hearing that 7 or 8 hour of sleep is the goal and that good sleep is crucial to a good life.
But I’m not here to talk about a lack of sleep related to lifestyle or health factors but rather to stress and anxiety.
Most of us can remember one of these nights. When our minds feel like they are going faster than usual. When thoughts swirl around like a cyclone. When sleep feels a long way away because of the anxiety. Or maybe for you it’s waking up at 2am and you are already thinking about work or the day ahead.
Often this anxiety and stress comes from something that feels out of control. A work situation, a relational issue or a consequence of sin.
So let’s come to this verse in the Psalm. Is there wisdom to be gained here? It’s interesting to consider Jesus in the boat during the storm. The disciples think they are going to die. Jesus is sleeping happily.
The Psalmist says that the reason he can sleep securely is because God causes him to dwell in safety. It’s the writer's trust in God that causes peaceful sleep.
I’ve actually experienced something of this. I have lost a lot of sleep over life’s stresses. I’ve a tendency to overthink, overanalyse and overclock in doing so. But knowing that God is in control, knowing that He is at work for my good, knowing that my sins against God are forgiven and that my hope is in heaven the place of ultimate safety, has actually led to much more peaceful sleep.
Do you know these things?
For Today:
- How are is your sleep? If you do struggle, do you know why?
- Do you find peace in knowing God is in control?
- How could you be reminded of these things when you are anxious?
Pray: Praise the Father who is in control and leads us safety in the new creation. Give thanks for Jesus who forgives our sins and gives us true rest in Him. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others sleep peacefully.
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