I have tracked my sleep quality with my watch over the past year. In my single days in New York City, I rarely went to bed before midnight and often got 6 hours of sleep. Being married with kids changed my sleeping pattern, but I have learned that it is an effort to get regular quality sleep. Being well-rested is good for our health and is supported by our faith.
Sleep is Good for our health
Experts say a good night's sleep helps our body recover, reduces stress, and impacts heart health and blood pressure. Evidently, your brain is very active during sleep. Sleep is essential for a number of brain functions, including memory consolidation, learning, and processing information. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Sleep and Our Faith
Stress and anxiety at night can inhibit sleep or prevent you from getting the kind of sleep you need. I can stay up at night trying to work through problems when I should put them to rest. I can wear myself out problem-solving and wake up in the middle of the night to pick them back up.
A lack of sleep can reveal a lack of trust. When King David was on the run from his son, Absalom, who briefly dethroned him, he said, "I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around" (Psalm 3:5-6). David experienced threats all around and was able to sleep. How much more should we be able to put our lives in the hands of the Lord and trust him? Another example was when Peter remarkably was found sleeping in prison between two soldiers the night before Herod was going to have him killed (Acts 12:1-19). Fewer worries have kept me up than the thought of it being my last night on earth. Even with problems mounting, we can rest our heads trusting the Lord. “If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24). A good night's sleep is sweet.
Trusting in the One Who Never Sleeps
"Good Night, Moon," a classic written in 1947, has helped many kids get to sleep. Children's author Susan Cooper comments that the narrative is a "deceptively simple ritual" that "creates an atmosphere of peace and calm." She says it teaches children that life is stable and can be trusted. If you recall, it helps the children to say good night to waking life,
"Good night bears, Good night chairs,
Good night mittens, Good night kittens,
Good night clocks, and Good night socks."
The need for sleep is a reminder that we are not God, and He is in control, we need to train ourselves to turn to God even at 10 am or 2 am. We can be at rest because we trust in the one who never sleeps: "He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:3-4). Memorizing scripture helps have something to cling to at night (Philippians 4:6-7). You can also write out your prayers that you can recite, which is helpful in times when you are not sure what to pray:
Father, you are the LORD over my finances,
You are the LORD over my job,
You are the LORD over this conflict,
You are the LORD over my family.
Have a plan to say "good night noises everywhere."
