May is known as the month for better sleep. Do you know anyone who gets enough sleep? If you do, I would love to meet them. I, myself, am a horrible sleeper! I think describing my sleep life as horrible is actually being kind. I feel like most everyone wants more meaningful sleep in their life.
So, how do you get better sleep? That’s the question I ask myself all the time. Finding rest can be difficult. The Bible is full of verses describing what perfect rest looks like. Taking time to focus on God will help you find a peace which in turn will lead to better sleep.
Start by reflecting on who God truly is. Thinking about who God is and all He has blessed you with will help you be calm and your mind be clear. Focusing on God’s blessings instead of your worries sets your mind on better things and in return focuses you on peaceful sleep. “I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions.” Psalm 119:55
Think about God’s promises. As Christians, we aren’t promised an easy life, but we are promised to be taken care of always. The Lord loves us and always wants the best for our lives. Even when our world seems impossible to navigate, God is always there and will never fail us. So, when you are awake at night, starring at the ceiling, focus on the beautiful promise of God. “I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.” Psalm 119:148
Proclaim God’s faithfulness. Saying prayers of thanksgiving offers you true perspective of just how faithful God has been in your life. Not only will focusing on blessings make you at peace for better sleep, it will also make you at peace in your waking life as well. “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.” Psalm 92:2
Sing praise to the Lord. There have been so many times when praying just would not work. Words would not come to mind, only songs. So instead of trying to force myself to come up with the right thing to say, I would just sing to the Lord. Words of thankfulness, words of hope, words of love. Singing can calm the body and mind. “But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs.” Psalm 42:8
Thank God. As simple as it sounds, just be thankful. Instead of staying in the mindset of worry and what all you need in your life, focus on thanks. Being a thankful person provides so much more peace than being one full of worry and never being satisfied. Be thankful. “I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations.” Psalm 119:62
The next time you find yourself lying in bed unable to sleep, I hope you try reflecting on these few principles. Reflect on who God is, think about God’s promises, proclaim God’s faithfulness, sing to God, and thank God. Doing these things not only will provide you better sleep, but will also provide you a better tomorrow.
This week’s recipe is the perfect one-dish dinner. It is a crowd pleaser, easy to prepare, and full of yummy ingredients. I hope you love it as much as my family does.
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
July 19, 2024
