How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted
over me? 3 Consider and hear
me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes,
lest I sleep the sleep of death; -Psalm 13:2, 3 (KJV)
The other night I spent a difficult night
suffering from the age-old problem of insomnia. I usually sleep
well; within minutes of my head touching the pillow, I drift off to
sleep. However, the other night my body and my mind had different
plans. After an hour or two of tossing and turning, I got up and
went out to the living room to try to start my night over again. The
situation only deteriorated as I could not relax and fall asleep.
Eventually, I fell asleep on the couch and slept fitfully at best.
Have you ever had a night like this? If so, you know how frustrating
it can be.
Psalm 13 speaks of the troubles which can
enter the heart causing sorrow and yes, sleepless nights. This
is the result of fear and worry, for these insidious forces can settle
in our minds and rob of us peace and joy. Our problems can so
multiply that when we most need rest we are unable to sleep, regardless
of how tired we are. A friend of mine was telling me how one night
his wife was having trouble sleeping. She admitted that she felt
overwhelmed by all the pressure and challenges she was facing.
She wondered aloud why during the night we are so vulnerable to worry
and fear. Her husband wisely answered that the devil loves the
darkness, and this is when he is liable to attack.
Like David the psalmist, we too can feel
overwhelmed with the trials we are facing and we begin to wonder if
we will ever get through them. Take heart, for there is a divine
resource of spiritual comfort the Lord will provide through faith in
Christ. We have the resources of prayer, the Word of God, and unquestioning
faith. The next time you are having trouble sleeping, take a moment
and ask the Lord to calm your heart. Trust God to bring the peace
you desire. Believe the promise of the Lord that He will never
leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Seek the calming presence of Christ.
The Lord knows we need rest. Resolve to not worry at the time
when your body needs sleep. Find a verse and claim it as you lie
awake in your bed. Psalm 23 is ideal. “The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters, He resoreth my soul…”
God is near. Trust in Him and rest
in His comforting presence. You are not alone, for the Lord is
with you.
God bless you today – and tonight as you
rest.
