Peaceful rest used to elude me. I would have the greatest intentions of getting "a good night's rest", only to find my mind racing. The events of the day would run through my mind and I reviewed my actions, my words, what I should have done, and what I should not have done. After a day filled with busyness, I would have expected my body wanting rest. Yet, I would find myself counting the minutes and hours as they passed by and I would still be awake. Just as frustrating were the times I would fall asleep, but would wake up a few hours later. I would ponder all the problems in my life, my family's and my friends, and try to fix them - all the while trying to get back to sleep. I have spoken with many folks who find themselves in the same sleepless situation.
At one point in my life, my inability to release the day's events led to me taking medication so that I could sleep. When that didn't work, I took more. All I wanted was to go to sleep and stay asleep. My quest for a decent night's sleep led me to a night when the amount of medication was very much out of control and my family was worried. The next day I found myself in the doctor's office, gaining help. With the assistance of my family doctor, I was prescribed medication that assisted me in going to sleep and staying asleep. Yet, I didn't want to rely on medicine. Of course, the answer was always in front of me - God.
There are so many wonderful verses in the Bible that talk about laying our worries and anxiety at Jesus' feet so that they can be taken off of our shoulders. God is never too big for our problems. The good news? God is WAITING for us to come to him. David knew this. As we read the Bible, David certainly had his fair share of problems. He had many enemies that were looking to destroy him. Some of his problems were certainly created by his own actions (can we relate?). Yet, he never took his sight off of the one who was there to take his worries away. David knew his rest would only come in the arms of the Lord. With all that David had to worry about, he knew his peace could only come with God. What faith that is! Brothers and sisters, our rest is the same all these years later - our rest can only come in the arms of the Lord!
I wanted that peace. I wanted to be able to release my worries and cares to God so that I would rest peacefully. After five years taking a prescribed drug to sleep, I made the decision to turn to God and ask for his help. It took some time, and definitely some behavioral changing on my part. Yet, a few years ago, I found it. I found the peace that let me put my head on the pillow at night and realize that God had everything in control. I remember waking up the next morning with praise and thanksgiving for a good night's sleep by relying on God.
When the thoughts and problems of the day stop us from gaining rest, give it all to Jesus. Maybe you write down everything you are thinking about and close the book before sleeping. Maybe you pray and give your worries to God. Maybe you vision God sitting at your bedside, holding your hand, and helping you release the worries of the day. Maybe you do all three! There are still nights where as I rest, sleep can still elude me. It is those nights that I reflect and talk to my Lord, the one who is waiting for me to chat with him, and give him my worries. I pray that you will lie down in peace with God, and may he provide you sleep in the safety of His arms.
Dearest Lord, thank you for being the one who is waiting to hear my worries and problems. You are always available to talk to. When the problems of the day keep me from restful sleep, may I come to you, God, and lay my worries at your feet. You ask me to give you my worries, my anxiety, my problems. Lead me to do this, Lord, so I can gain the restful sleep my body needs. In your gracious name I pray. Amen!
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