Sleep. Safe, peaceful, nourishing. Restoration, healing of mind and body.

Insomnia. Restless mind, restless body, burning eyes and longing for peace, comfort, rest.

The psalmist certainly knew what it was like to have trouble sleeping. His words hit home, because we all know how he feels.

I’m tired of my sighting. Every night I make my bed flood… my eye has become emaciated with pain. Ps 6:7-8 At night my hand was stretched out without weariness; my soul refuses to be comforted… You have opened my eyelids… Ps 77:2;4

Insomnia harms our body and mind, causing problems from diabetes to heart disease, creating accidents and poor work performance, and leaving us cranky, irritable, and moody.

We all want restful sleep, a healthy body, and joyful energy. The question for many is HOW? Most of us experience insomnia from time to time, but for many, lack of sleep has become a painful way of life.

You’ve probably read the advice: exercise more, drink less alcohol, use white noise, take a hot bath, sleep in a cool room, drink warm milk (ok, I know that really helps, but I’d rather stay upstairs!)

All of these things are certainly true. And if you’re not already doing them, why not?

You won’t sleep well if you don’t exercise regularly, you can count on that. Alcohol will make you sleepy, but it will also break down your sleep structure, causing you to wake up again and again, between the extremes of shallow, poor-quality sleep. Warm baths, the hum of a fan in a cool, dark room…these are all good ideas, important for good quality sleep.

But what if you’ve done all of this and are still having trouble sleeping?

David knew what a healthy sleep brought him, and he spends much of his time in joy and delight. What is different for David when he sleeps?

You have put joy in my heart… In peace I will lie down and sleep, because only You, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Ps 5:7-8 I lay down and slept, I woke up, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousand people who have turned against me. Ps 4:5-6

Sleep comes when we know we are safe and secure. And that security comes with trust in the Lord. With the comfort of knowing that you are safe in his hands.

You will have worries, and while it is true that most of the things you worry about will never happen, you know that some things can! Your concerns arise from real concerns and reflect the love you have for others, the hopes you have for the future. You may be struggling with heartbreak and loss, and with very real problems to face in the morning.

But your worry won’t help, no matter how real the worry. And in your heart you know it… and so the fears and worries begin again.

Sometimes it seems that ten thousand have turned against us! You want to give your fears and worries, your ‘head talk’, to Him, but how? How can you have the peace and restful sleep that comes from trusting Him, knowing that you are safe no matter what?

Meditate in your heart on your bed and be still. Ps 4:4 I will remember my song at night; I will meditate with my heart… Ps 77:6

In meditation, God speaks to our hearts, minds, and bodies. He gives us peace at the deepest level… and we can relax and sleep in the safety of his peace. In meditation, he fills our hearts with the warmth of his love. He washes our bodies with soothing biochemical cascades, giving us everything we need to sleep deeply and richly.

And the more we meditate, the better we sleep!

So when you’re struggling in the night, remember David’s words, and let God’s peaceful gift of meditation fill your soul with comfort and your body with rest.