When You Can’t Sleep

When You Can’t Sleep

Some of you couldn’t sleep last night because of worry.

You had an argument with a co-worker, perhaps, or with your spouse or child.

Maybe you’re worried about your health, your debt, or your job.

David had those nights, like we all do. During one of them he wrote this: “O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God” (Psalm 3:1-2).

Satan loves sleeplessness, I think.

He uses the wee hours of the morning to whisper lies into our ears.

God doesn’t care about you.

You’re not saved.

There’s no way you’ll get past these problems.

But look at what David wrote in the next two verses: “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill” (Psalm 3:3-4).

Somewhere—from a cave, perhaps, or in the home of a loyal friend—David got tired of worrying. He grew weary of carrying all of his burdens alone.

So he cried out to the Lord and begged for his help.

I love what he wrote next:

“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around” (Psalm 3:5-6).

He lay down and slept.

This may not be a cure-all for your insomnia, but it’s not a bad place to start.

Was something eating at you last night?

Whatever it was, whatever it is, cry out to the Lord.

Claim him as your shield and glory and sustainer.

Tell him you can’t carry all these burdens alone.

If you’re God’s child, he’ll hear your prayer, and he’ll answer from his holy hill.

And I think sometime soon—if you keep trusting in him—your fear will wane, and your anxiety will decrease.

And then you’ll lie down and sleep again. —Chuck

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