Sleep

Over the past week and a half, I have had difficulty sleeping. My symptoms would include not being tired, feelings of anxiety, rapid pulse, feeling pulse in my neck, and adrenaline rushes. None of these are conducive to sound sleeping.

It hasn't been easy to deal with the symptoms; but, I realized after my second short night that I had before me an opportunity to trust that God was in control of even my sleeping patterns. And even in my sleeplessness, I could give Him glory.

Perhaps I was more acutely aware of this because the week before my brother's appendix burst, the closest any of us have come to facing death. Yet in the situation, all of us were cognizant of the fact that God had everything in control, was working it for our good, and was bringing glory to Himself.

Sure, it doesn't make sense to me why an appendix needed to burst or that I should have trouble sleeping. During my wakefulness, I was confident that God could still my being and cause me to sleep just fine if he so wanted. But my restlessness continued.

As my mom reminded me, God is in charge of our sleep. "For he grants sleep to those he loves" (Psalm 127:2). I know that my emotions are a huge part of the stress I personally deal with. Sometimes it is self-inflicted: getting worked up over situations that don't require that kind of response; ruminating about problems as if dwelling on them further will solve them.

The other night I was very stressed and anxious about the prospect of another uncomfortable rest. I was tired of feeling this way. In that struggle, I prayed aloud that God would grant me peace, having mercy on me; and that I would give him the glory. I calmed down and had a better night of sleep. The next night, I slept normally. To God be the glory!

A good nights sleep is relative. Children need 10 to 12 hours. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours. Some people have the remarkable ability to be rested after only 5 hours of sleep. God knows exactly how much sleep I need and for purposes only He knows right now, that is less than what I think I need.

A dear friend of ours reminded my mom during my mom's episodes of insomnia, "It's just sleep." How true! Another great saying also puts sleep in its proper perspective: as one of the chipmunks from Alvin and the Chipmunks tells Dave, "You can sleep when you're dead!"

--HM