Devotional - Sweet Sleep

 


In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8


I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and energized to take on the new day. This is a gift that I don't take lightly. It is a blessing for which I am eternally grateful. But it has not always been like this. In the past, I struggled with sleep-disordered breathing, which caused sleep through the night and waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed, like I was at the end of the day, instead of the start. I often struggled to or stopped breathing in my sleep periodically. But God was faithful to me as I cried out to Him. He heard my voice and delivered me.

A good night's sleep does wonders for the body and mind, providing a wide range of benefits including, but not limited to, improving the immune system, which in turn protects the body from illnesses, maintaining a healthy weight, as well as promoting good mood and improved cognitive abilities.

By contrast, just one of poor sleep can result in tiredness, crankiness, and decreased mental abilities which can result in accidents and other negative events. Contrary to popular belief, getting a good's night sleep is not a luxury, but an imperative. The quality of your life depends heavily on it. 

With all the stresses and strains of life, there may be times when we are robbed of sleep. We anxiously toss and turn as the hours go by and sleep is evading us. The psalmist David faced many threats against his life which could have caused him to cower in fear and lose sleep, but he held on to his faith, knowing that he belonged to a God who would lift his head and give him victory over the enemies who had risen up against him (Psalm 3:3).  His confidence led him to believe that he could have sweet sleep in spite of his challenges.

What keeps you up at night? Cast all your cares on God and He will sustain you. He will let you, like David, lie down and sleep in peace and keep you in safety. He will give you, his beloved, sweet sleep. (Psalm 127:2)



Reflection

1. What are the things that cause me to lose sleep at night?
2. What does the Word instruct me to do when I encounter these issues?


Prayer

Father, I thank you that you give sleep to your beloved people. Help us to cast our cares upon you so that we can enjoy our sleep and the rest that you have given us. Amen.



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