It’s week 2 of our new series, Taking Care of You! Last week, many of you appreciated my two clothing principles and the reminder to shine Jesus-bright when we're out and about. Did you miss last week’s Happy Monday? Check the end of this letter for the link to last week’s devotion.

 

I’m excited about today’s topic: SLEEP.

 

In the Bible, there are over one hundred references to sleep and over six hundred references to rest! In one of my favorite stories on sleep, Jesus was asleep on a boat in the middle of a storm while his disciples panicked. I don’t know about you, but my goal is to have the kind of faith that allows me to sleep like Jesus during life's “storms". Can I get an amen?

 

Often, our sleep is the first thing to go when the storms of life pop up, or there's a lot going on. We stay up to finish housework or to tie up loose ends from our jobs. Many of us stay up because we promised someone at the church that we would write a newsletter or prepare for a Bible study the next day. Sometimes, we just let time get away from us. Have you ever said, “Let me watch a little YouTube real quick before bed"?  All the sudden it's 1:28am and you've watched twenty-six videos of watching baby goats in pajamas instead of going to sleep.

 

Of course, when you finally lay down and close your eyes, your mind sends out an announcement: Not so fast, honey. It’s time for you to think about everything that you were too busy to think about all day.  Let’s gooooo!

 

When we’re carrying more than God planned for us, our sleep suffers. Here’s a powerful insight from Psalm 127 about this:

 

 

Did you notice the last line?

 

 

 

When you give your problems to God during the day, when you lay down your head at night, you won't lie awake overthinking or obsessing about what’s unfinished, unsettled, or messed up. Even if you do have worries, you know that you can pray my favorite surrender prayer from my Stronger Than Stress book and Bible study: God, I can’t. You can. I will let You. Amen.

 

If not, what do you need to start surrendering at night so that you can go to sleep? 

 

Here are two verses that I discuss in my Stronger Than Stress book in the “Taking Care of You” chapter on page 139 - and if you’re struggling with sleep, then screenshot these verses and read them tonight before bed:

 

 

 

Both of these verses remind us of God’s character and His care for us. Sleep is a grace.  In a world of sin and hardship, God created our bodies to need a daily shutdown period to restore us while He sustains and maintains the world around us. Lucky for us, God doesn’t need sleep, and He's always at work! God knows that we don’t need to be aware of everything happening in the world 24/7 - that weight is too much for us. So, let’s not rob ourselves of experiencing the grace of sleep by lying awake obsessing about the problems that God is already working on.

 

 

If your sleep has been struggling, perhaps a good starting point is putting your devices to bed before you go to bed. There's all kinds of research telling us that the screen light before bed disrupt our natural melatonin production, which is needed for sleep. For years, I've plugged my cell phone into my office and it's been so helpful for better sleep! (I use this alarm clock instead of my phone.)

 

For decades, I’ve kept a journal. I write and reflect on my day before bed. Journaling helps empty all the swirling things in our minds onto paper and that helps us problem-solve and can reduce our anxiety. If you haven't journaled or you aren't sure what to write, here are some prompts to help you:

In my Stronger Than Stress book, I mention creating a “God Box” where you grab a box and a stack of notecards. Before bed, write down whatever is on your mind, and at the bottom of each card, you can write: “God, I can't. But You can. I will let You. Amen" surrender prayer.  

 

If you’re an over-thinker, a worrier, or someone who obsesses over problems, I suggest listening to worship music before bed to keep you mind from spinning. Worship songs about God’s love, faithfulness, and power fill your mind and fight back against your anxieties. I have a great Spotify playlist that you can access here!