Going Back to Sleep
When I was growing up, I remember my dad saying many a morning. I woke up in the middle of the night, couldn’t go back to sleep, got up, and sat in the living room. I thought that was strange because I slept like a baby.
I have been in homes visiting and have heard similar stories. People do all kinds of things when they wake up in the middle of the night and cannot get back to sleep. Strange, now that I am older, I too find myself waking up in the middle of the night. I am instantly wide awake with my mind going a thousand miles an hour without a way to shut it off! All of the issues of yesterday and all that needs to be done when I get up, fill my mind. Have you ever been there?
I read where a godly pastor had that issue and he said when he wakes up and cannot go back to sleep, he prays for all the issues on his mind. He uses it as his time alone with God in prayer until he goes back to sleep. It could be 10 minutes or two hours. When something comes up, he prays about it. I have started doing that. One cool part is that it is very quiet, except for the purring cat, sleeping next to me.
Praying helps me internalize one important truth. I can give what’s on my mind over to God because He has everything under control.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Love this Paul