Need more sleep? (Part 1)

Psalm 127:2, "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep."

I want to do a two-part blog spot on sleep. In this one I want to address our need for good sleep (probably not telling you something you don't know... and want). Then I will follow that up with an article on what to do when we can’t sleep.

It seems to me that we are on one end or the other – there are some of you who feel the need to live on as little amount of sleep as possible – it is a badge of honor. Then there are others who would long for even a few hours that are strung together that would make up sleeping.

Either side of the spectrum, it is something we want to entrust to the Lord. Our rest matters to God - your rest matters to God! We are to trust Him for our days and schedules and work. I believe this is the idea in Exodus 16 of when God provides manna for His people each day - He would provide for their daily needs. So we trust Him.
Our sleep is vital to the health of our bodies - it is putting aside the right amount of time that actually refreshes our bodies and helps us to think and make wise decisions throughout the days. It helps with stress, overeating, mind-fog, depression and a long list of other benefits. But for many they think they can cheat sleep and be okay. But time will take it's toll. We are not meant to survive off of energy drinks. We are to trust God with our lists and demands and... sleep. Of course we can over-sleep, that's called laziness. But that is not what I am talking about here.

One of the indicators of your closeness to God is not necessarily your busyness but your ability to rest in Him, in sleep even. Sleep and rest – it's a reminder that you are not God; that you do not bear the strain of providing and taking care of… you! God does!

How's your sleep?

Take a look at these articles on getting more sleep:

Do You Sleep Less Than Jesus? 
How to Love God by Getting More Sleep
Rest (A great podcast, or you can read it here too)
May the Lord guide you my friend in the day-to-day decisions you make. May you see His ever-loving hand strengthening and guiding you.


In His Grip,
John Caprine
PS: The elders would like to better connect and pray with those who need prayer or have questions. We would like to invite you if you have a need or question to come to one of our elder meetings. We meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings from 6pm. If you would like prayer or have questions, we invite you to come from 6 to 7:30. We meet at church. We'd love to pray with you!