How did you sleep? Actually, last night I had a very bad night. Restless legs, uncomfortable pillow, snoring, hours of lying awake unable to slow down my mind, and then dreams of being unable to find a toilet…It certainly wasn’t a good night’s sleep.
I’ve written about sleep before, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and What’s Keeping You Awake?
How did YOU sleep?
Worries for the world
In the lying awake hours I thought of all the new mothers who are SO tired, who carry on with very little sleep, knowing that someone’s life depends on them. I thought of the overtired babies, who really need to sleep, but find it difficult to settle. Sometimes, when people are asked how they slept, they answer that they slept like a baby. Mmm. Waking up crying every three hours (or less). If they think that’s a good night’s sleep, they probably haven’t had a baby in the house for a while!
I thought of all the shift workers, whose sleep patterns are regularly messed up. And their families, who don’t get to see them during waking hours, and have to be quiet so they can sleep.
I thought of those with insomnia and other sleep disorders. sleepfoundation/sleep-disorders. I thought of those struggling with anxiety and other mental health conditions that have messed up a good night’s sleep.
I thought of those in Ukraine and other war-torn countries, whose sleep may be disturbed by the sound of bombs and gunfire. Or Afghani women who are viewed as the source of sin in society. Or Christians in Nigeria whose daughters have been kidnapped, drugged and forced to marry Muslim men. Those who struggle with paying for basic needs when vendors charge Christians double the normal price for basic goods. And those who wonder if being a Christian is worth it. And those who worship in secret, knowing that being caught may mean beating or prison.
I prayed for our leaders who may struggle with their conscience and with their ability to remain in office. I prayed for those who are confused with who they should be, and what the world should be. I thought of those who suffer with pain and illness. And those who sleep on the streets or who sleep rough due to homelessness.
I prayed for all of them. I prayed for you.
Trying to run my own world
I pray that our sleepless nights are not because we are trying to run our world in our own way, ignoring God’s plans for us and for the world, and trying to be our own gods.
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Psalm 127: 1-2
Praying for a good night’s sleep
I pray that we can give all our cares and concerns to the Lord, and have peace, both when we are awake, and when we sleep.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Peace beyond understanding
This Bible verse talks about “the peace of God which transcends all understanding.” It’s talking about peace that doesn’t make sense. Peace of mind, regardless of our circumstances. We often want and expect God to take all our troubles away. But God’s peace doesn’t mean the absence of trouble and conflict. Rather, it exists even amidst chaos.
It’s not the peace that is ignorant or careless of trouble. It’s not being aware of difficulty and turning a blind eye. It’s not walking away from someone who needs help and saying that it’s not my business, or my problem, or that I haven’t got time (or interest) in getting involved. It’s not being blasé to the trouble of others, or the trouble I’m causing.
God’s peace brings comfort and assurance in all circumstances. It’s the peace we need in times of turmoil, and sleepless nights.
How do I get this peace?
How do I get the peace that is beyond understanding? God says it’s through a relationship with Him. “Do not be anxious about anything…by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
So, God wants us to ask Him for things. All things. He doesn’t promise that He will give us everything we ask for. But he does promise His peace that doesn’t make sense.
I might not get the big pay rise that I ask for. The troublesome neighbours might not move away. My sickness may not be healed. The world will keep on going downhill. BUT I can rely on the fact that God loves me.
You can rely on that too.
No matter what your circumstances, no matter how difficult things are right now, GOD LOVES YOU.
Bad things have happened, are still happening, and will keep on happening until we die, or Jesus comes again.
Jesus already died to pay for all the bad things. All the bad things in your life.
You may not see an end to your problems in this life. But, rest assured, if you believe in Jesus, you will have unending rejoicing in heaven.
Those the Lord has rescued will return.
Isaiah 51:11
They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
So, we pray for a good night’s sleep tonight, and for God’s unexplainable peace, no matter what our circumstances.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7