Sleep

A recent report on Sleep and Sleep Deprivation pointed out that many people struggle with getting what they consider to be their required amount of sleep. Many think that they need 8 hours a night, though that turns out to be something of a myth. Some people seem to need as little as 6 hours a night while other seem to require 10 hours! Interestingly, many men a good at falling asleep very quickly, but as we grow older, many people have periods of wakefulness in the middle of the night. But sleep is a precious gift, and if we are deprived of it for long, we will unravel in many ways.
The Psalmist writes about sleep quite often, and I have found the wisdom here very helpful. First, sleep is a gift from the Lord himself. 'Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.' (Psalm 127.1-2)
The fact that we need to sleep reminds us of our limitations. We can sleep peacefully, because the Lord has everything in his hands.
But the Psalmist wasn't always asleep on his bed, and he finds good way to use that time. 'On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.' (Psalm 63.6-7)
This is such a good way to use that time when sleep eludes us - to reflect of the Lord's goodness, and to take time to pray for people. Instead of going round and round on some foolish worry, so much better to pray in quiet trust.
May your sleep be rich and your waking moments be growing points.
Best wishes,
Richard