"Overcoming Insomnia"

“Overcoming Insomnia”

In 2000 Karen went on a missions trip to East Asia which required a coast-to-coast flight followed by a hop across the Pacific. Sleeping on a plane is difficult for her so she was awake on virtually the entire journey. By contrast, her traveling companion who has (in her own words) “the spiritual gift of sleep” was in dreamland most of the time, including layovers. Guess who was more alert when they arrived at their destination.

Generally speaking I have little trouble dropping off at night (and at times during the day) but others, Karen included, aren’t nearly as fortunate. Some have tried coping with their insomnia problem by medications, counting sheep, reading until they get drowsy and likely many other methods. Some work, others don’t. So what can we do if we feel we’re becoming sleep deprived?

In His humanity Jesus became weary and needed rest. On one occasion He’d become so tired after a full day of ministry that He fell asleep in a boat (maybe Peter’s) during a storm (Mark 4:38). Sometime later He and His disciples were physically and emotionally drained (they had just heard of John the Baptist’s beheading at Herod’s order) and He said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place, and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31). We too need to recognize when we need to stop what we’re doing and let God renew our strength. In the words of the late preacher Vance Havner, “If you don’t come apart, you’ll come apart.”

In those times (thankfully rare) that I have trouble getting to or falling back to sleep I’ve learned to repeat Scripture (Psalms 1, 23, 86 and 100 are my “go to” passages), sing old hymns in my mind, pray and remember my “think list” from Philippians 4:8 (those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy). Usually I don’t get through what I’ve started because I’ve begun sawing wood without realizing it.

Maybe our insomnia is brought about by struggles and fears we’re facing. (See the recent posting “The Answer to ‘What If?’” for some ideas on dealing with them.) But let’s remember that God’s always with us (“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”—Exodus 33:14, emphasis added) and we can say with David, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8, emphasis added).

Sweet dreams!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan