She told me that she was depressed. It was so bad that she had attempted suicide more than once. And even though she wasn’t at a dangerously dark state at that moment, she was still in a deep hole. Struggling with sleep, she hadn’t enjoyed a good night’s rest in a long, long time.
It’s hard to know what to say in such situations. My hope was that I could direct her to our loving God and to others who would compassionately come alongside her. We talked about a variety of things—whether or not she was taking medication, about her relationships with other people and with God, and about her good and bad habits. Both of us agreed that if she could begin to sleep well, it would help her feel better emotionally and physically.
You and I know that a lack of true rest can make it difficult to handle the challenges of life. When it comes to sleep, I’m always fascinated that Jesus slept on a boat in the midst of a raging storm (Mark 4:38). How on earth could He do that? Wasn’t it appropriate for Him to be alarmed and anxious? The disciples didn’t get it either. But the psalmist points to an answer: “God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2). He “protects” and “guards” His own—encouraging them to rest in His loving arms (Psalm 127:1). Does this mean that those of us who have trouble sleeping are loved less? No. Even in our struggle to rest, God is with us. We can rest in Him even when our eyes refuse to stay shut.
During those times, may we learn to “give [our] burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of [us]” (Psalm 55:22). As we do, we can choose to confidently wait to receive the sweet gift of sleep that He alone can provide for us—His loved ones (Psalm 127:2).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Joshua 7:1-26
More:
Read Philippians 4:6-8. What must we do in order to experience a peaceful, restful state?
Next:
What’s robbing you of sweet sleep? How can you learn to receive the gift of rest from God? What do you need to cast on Him today?
maryann12 on March 3, 2016 at 3:05 am
I just want to thank the Lord for blessing me with a good night sleep. I always had a good night sleep even when I’m facing problems or worries.
Marlena Graves on March 3, 2016 at 5:02 pm
That is a gift! I have little ones at home, one is a 17 month old and she still wakes in the night (in our room in her crib – tight quarters), so I value sleep!
Gary Shultz on March 3, 2016 at 6:17 am
Marlena, you wove this together nicely. I think you also are right on target about sleep and many physical abnormalities. I’m sure there can be some underlying reasons; however, much restlessness is the cause of people not believing that God is who He says He is. They do not trust or believe that they hold alone what was not meant to be held alone. Peace comes from the presence of God, going there is the wholeness of living as Christ intended. It takes effort to go and be there, but much less than carrying deep burdens. Thanks Marlena
Marlena Graves on March 3, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Gary, thanks for the encouragement. I know the world is a lot better when I sleep!
Mike Wittmer on March 3, 2016 at 8:14 am
Just awoke and read this. I don’t appreciate sleep unless I can’t. Praise God for his gifts I take for granted, and may He encourage those who are sleepy today because of a fitful night.
Marlena Graves on March 3, 2016 at 5:04 pm
Isn’t that true. I mentioned above that I have little ones. Our little one is not even 2. She wakes up a lot during the night especially now because she is getting a moler. She is in our room in her crib. So, I prize sleep!
sandy229 on March 3, 2016 at 8:50 am
Thank you Marlena for this wonderful devotional. I thank God for the wonderful music He gives me to fill my thoughts before I go to sleep, and the sleep He gives me so I can be well rested to get up early to read His word. Whenever I don’t fill my mind with these things, my mind races through everything I need to be doing that I didn’t do.
Marlena Graves on March 3, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Yes! I often listen to re-runs of Night Sounds with Bill Pierce online or the Bible on audio before I go to bed to fill my thoughts with good things. I’ve also taken to exercising again to that even though my baby wakes up in the night, I can fall back to sleep.
Tom Felten on March 3, 2016 at 9:07 am
Marlena, I woke up this morning with a discouraging thought in my mind. It was so good to bring this to God and claim in confidence that He is greater and He will provide! So grateful that we can rest in Him.
Marlena Graves on March 3, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Thank you, Tom. You are a great encouragement to so many. I pray that you will see that provision and that you’ll be able to rest as you wait on him.
sdwise on March 3, 2016 at 10:12 am
Marlena thank you for this subject for today. Many people suffer in silence because of depression and sleeplessness. They believe that being depressed is a result of a lack of spirituality. Clinical depression can be a result of a nutrician deficiency which can also lead to sleeplessness. For most of us we get depressed when we can’t see our way out of a bad situation and loose sleep thinking about it. As a believer no matter how bad things get in this world, even knowing that things will probably get worst before Jesus returns, I keep looking to Jesus as the victor over it all. I used to loose sleep over stuff, but the Holy Spirit revealed to me during my reading of the Bible what to do about this. Jesus said “I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28. So when I am troubled I tell God about it. When I am feeling like the only one facing a situation Paul said “such is common to man” in 1Corinthians 10:13 and that I “will be able to bear it”. When my mind is trouble Paul say “Think on these things” Philippians 4:8. You may also consider what is the last thing you allow into your mind before going to bed. News, TV, Entertainment? Try reading a scripture and prayer. Occasionally, I still have sleepless nights, but whenever that happens, I know that is the time of the sweetest time of uninterrupted fellowship with God. I use that time for additional study of our bible lesson for Wednesday or Sunday School lesson. Before you know it I am ready for sleep.
sandy229 on March 3, 2016 at 10:41 am
Reading God’s word can be very helpful and also listening to Christian music and letting it fill your thoughts of good and pure things from God. I find that I can listen to music and the songs will be going through my mind whenever I awaken during the night. The bible says, whatsoever things are pure and lovely, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
Reading these verses every night before you go to bed will also help along with the other things you mentioned.
Marlena Graves on March 3, 2016 at 5:07 pm
Thank you for this great word of encouragement. I am sure that whoever reads this will be encouraged by your thoughts – what great guidance!