Broken Sleep
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 has some form of a 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 will be unable to produce sufficient melatonin. Your immune system will weaken and subject you to health disorders. Sleeplessness is also an indication of unresolved anxiety or burden in your life. Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, and his spirit was troubled.
There are the reasons for sleepless nights.
Our anxieties, burdens, cares, family, business, ministry, health, and other worries are the reasons why we lose our sleep. A loved one who is hospitalized and is in grave danger will 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 will face.
There are the results of sleepless nights.
There are physical problems 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 from sleeplessness. We are grouchy, irritable, short-tempered, and sharp with our words. We have hurt relationships when we lose sleep. We become unreasonable when we lose sleep. We are at higher risk for accidents when there is a loss of sleep. Spiritually, we open ourselves to aggressive attacks from Satan when our sleep is missing for a long time. We cease to pray, stop reading our Bibles with enthusiasm, and withdraw from fellowship.
There is the remedy for sleepless nights.
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 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 the 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 did he get 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 counsel from the world!
Sedatives, eastern meditation, hypnotism, psychiatric visits, depression medicine, overeating, and any other secular recommendation does not give you the best remedy for sleepless nights. Give the matters affecting you to God, and claim His promise that He gives sleep. Have faith in God’s means to overcoming sleepless nights!
Have a rest-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: John 9-10