Broken Sleep
Today’s Verse:
And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. ~Daniel 2:1
The National Sleep Foundation indicates that over 20% of the American population suffers from some form of sleep disorder. People with a sleep disorder are sleep deprived and constantly in need of quality rest. A lack of sleep can be very bad for your health. Your brain cannot produce sufficient melatonin. Your immune system also weakens, and sleeplessness may further subject you to various health disorders. Sleeplessness may also be an indication of an unresolved anxiety or burden in your life. Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, and his spirit was troubled.
There are the reasons.
Our anxieties, burdens, cares, family, business, ministry, and health are some of the reasons why we may lose our sleep. A loved one who is hospitalized and is in grave danger can cause us to have sleeplessness. Financial difficulties, such as debt, unresolved customer issues, litigation, or a loss of business can cause much sleeplessness. A bothered conscience about unconfessed sin in our life will cause sleepless nights. A concern for the welfare of another Christian’s situation can cause us to have sleepless nights. Sleepless nights are a reality that every person faces.
There are the results.
There are physical problems that result from sleepless nights. We can develop high blood pressure, increase our risk for cancer, lose weight, and have subpar performance. There are the emotional problems that result from sleeplessness. We can become grouchy, irritable, short-tempered, and sharp with our words. The loss of sleep can result in hurt relationships. We can become unreasonable when we lose sleep. We are at a higher risk for accidents when there is a loss of sleep. We open ourselves up to aggressive spiritual attacks from Satan when our sleep is missing for an extended period of time. We may also cease to pray, read our Bible with no enthusiasm, and withdraw from fellowship.
There is the remedy.
First, God wants you to sleep! Psalm 127:2 says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” Psalm 4:8 says, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” God wants you to get adequate rest and sleep so that you can be at your best. Second, God wants you to commit your worries to Him. "In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Stop going to bed with burdens in your soul. Unload them to the Lord in prayer. Third, God wants you to get counsel from the Word of God and God’s man. Nebuchadnezzar was trying to get answers from the wrong counselors. It was not until he brought Daniel into his presence that he got the right answer. Daniel told him that there is a God in Heaven Who reveals secrets. God’s man has counsel that is ten times better than the world's counsel!
Excedrin PM, Eastern meditation, hypnotism, psychiatric visits, depression medicine, overeating, or any other secular recommendation does not give you the best remedy for sleepless nights. Give the matters that affect you to God, and claim His promise that He gives sleep. Have faith in God’s means to overcome sleepless nights!
Have a rest-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: John 9-10