| Sleep. Safe, peaceful, nourishing. Restoring, healing | | | | Thou hast put gladness in my heart...in peace I will |
| mind and body. | | | | both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, |
| Insomnia. Restless mind, restless body, burning | | | | dost make me to dwell in safety. Ps 5:7-8 I lay |
| eyes and longing-for peace, for comfort, for rest. | | | | down and slept, I awoke, for the Lord sustains |
| The Psalmist certainly knew what it was like to | | | | me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people |
| have trouble with sleep. His words hit home, | | | | who have set themselves against me. Ps 4:5-6 |
| because we all know how it feels. | | | | Sleep comes when we know we're safe and |
| I am weary with my sighing. Every night I make | | | | secure. And that assurance comes with trust in |
| my bed swim...my eye has become wasted with | | | | the Lord. With the comfort of knowing you're |
| grief. Ps 6:7-8 In the night my hand was | | | | safely held in His hands. |
| stretched out without weariness; my soul refused | | | | You will have worries-and while it's true that most |
| to be comforted...You have held my eyelids open... | | | | of the things you worry about won't ever |
| Ps 77:2;4 | | | | happen, you know some may! Your worries grow |
| Sleeplessness hurts our body as well as our mind, | | | | from real concerns, and reflect the love you have |
| causing problems from diabetes to heart disease, | | | | for others, the hopes you have for the future. |
| creating accidents and poor work performance, | | | | You may be struggling with heartbreak and loss, |
| and leaving us snappy, irritable and moody. | | | | and very real problems to face in the morning. |
| We all want restful sleep, a healthy body and | | | | But your worry won't help, no matter how real |
| joyful energy. The question for many is-HOW? | | | | the concern. And in your heart you know |
| Most of us experience insomnia occasionally, but | | | | that...and so the fears and worries begin again. |
| for many, lack of sleep has become a painful way | | | | At times it really seems ten thousands have set |
| of life. | | | | themselves against us! You want to give your |
| You've probably read the tips: Exercise more, | | | | fears and worries, your 'head chatter', to Him, but |
| drink less alcohol, use white noise, take a hot | | | | how? How can you have the peace and restful |
| bath, sleep in a cool room, drink warm milk (OK, I | | | | sleep that comes from trusting in Him, knowing |
| know that really does help, but I'd rather just | | | | you are safely held no matter what? |
| stay up!) | | | | Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still. |
| All these things are certainly true. And if you are | | | | Ps 4:4 I will remember my song in the night; I will |
| not already doing them-why not? | | | | meditate with my heart... Ps 77:6 |
| You won't sleep well if you don't exercise | | | | In meditation, God speaks to our hearts, to our |
| regularly-you can count on that. Alcohol will make | | | | minds and our bodies. He gives us peace at the |
| you sleepy, but it will also shatter your sleep | | | | deepest level...and we can relax, and sleep in the |
| structure, causing you to wake again and again, | | | | safety of His peace. In meditation, He fills our |
| between bouts of superficial, poor quality sleep. | | | | hearts with the warmth of His love. He washes |
| Warm baths, the hum of a fan in a cool dark | | | | our bodies with soothing biochemical cascades, |
| room...all are good ideas, important for good | | | | giving us everything we need to sleep deeply and |
| quality sleep. | | | | richly. |
| But what if you've done all these, and still have | | | | And the more we meditate, the better we sleep! |
| problems sleeping? | | | | So when you're struggling in the night, remember |
| David knew what brought him healthy sleep, and | | | | David's words, and let God's peaceful gift of |
| he spends much of his time in joy and rejoicing. | | | | meditation fill your soul with comfort, and your |
| What's different for David when he sleeps? | | | | body with rest. |