Insomnia

Why can’t I sleep??

There have been a few times throughout my life that I am exhausted throughout the day and can’t sleep at night, but this one particular night was awful.  I tossed and turned and couldn’t find a comfortable position to lay.  My mind was swirling with all types of anxieties, including that I couldn’t fall asleep.  As soon as I would start to drift off, my eyes would shoot open and my heart would be racing. I tried getting up and walking around, getting some water, eating, scrolling on Facebook, anything.  I even tried sitting in a crouched position on the floor where I normally drift off to sleep while I’m praying, yet nothing worked.  I even tried praying for people which normally puts me back to sleep.

Eventually after much begging of God to let me sleep, I fell asleep.  Then my alarm goes off.  It had only been 4.5 hours.  I shut it off and considered going back to bed to get more shut-eye but God said, “Stay up.  I’ll help you get through the day.  You can always take a nap.”  Surprisingly I was able to skip coffee that day and still make it through, actually feeling quite good. (I try to skip coffee for 1-7 days every now and then so that I am not addicted to it.  It seems the caffeine losses its affect on me after a few months and rather makes me tired instead of waking me up.)

The moral of the story…

I feel so bad for those who suffer regularly with Insomnia, because sleep is a gift from God.

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 127:2

But even though sleep is a gift, it is not forced on you.  You can do things to ruin the gift God gave you.  Say your best friend brings you a present for your birthday.  It is happens to be that one thing you have been wanting for years.  But then you begin to crush it and take it apart.  You pour soda on it and then complain to your “bestie” that it doesn’t work anymore.  What do you think your friend is going to think?  Why would we see God’s gifts any different?

There are many reasons one can have insomnia, assuming it is not a medical condition, the top ones being too late to bed, too much screen time, and too much anxiety or stress.  Exercise, diet, and vitamin deficiencies, as well as too much caffeine or too soon before bed can also play a role.  But personally I would guarantee, especially if you live in the States, that anxiety plays a huge role in your insomnia.  Ecclesiastes puts it this way:

For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath labored under the sun?  For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night.  This is also vanity.  - Ecclesiastes 2:22-23

No matter what God has placed before you to do, anxiety does not have to ruin your life.  Jesus came to give us abundant life!  Satan on the other hand wants to steal and destroy your sleep because he knows how important it is.  (See John 10:10)

God promises to give his children peace and sleep, free of anxiety!  But we have to accept it.  We have to take the necessary steps to get it.  If someone is offered an interview for a job, don’t they have to go to the interview and present to the bosses in order to possibly get accepted?  We have to do our part.  I’ll give you two sections of scripture in closing that have proven beneficial in helping me sleep.

My son let not them {God’s Word} depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.  Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Proverbs 3:21-24

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

If you need prayer for their Insomnia don’t be afraid to ask, I’d love to pray for you!

Until Next Time, Happy Running Ya’ll!