tom w Supporter

Occasional sleepless nights are normal for nearly everyone and sometimes insomnia is caused by uncontrollable factors like physical pain or nightmares. But can a lack of sleep indicate a spiritual problem? Does the Bible say anything to guide us in our sleep patterns? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is yes to both questions.

First, several passages in Scripture’s wisdom literature suggest that inability to sleep may reflect a lack of trust in the Lord. In Psalm 4:8, David is able to sleep amid life’s trials because of his confidence that the Lord alone made him “dwell in safety.” Similarly, Psalm 127:1-2 teaches that the Lord watches over His people. Therefore, we need not “eat the bread of anxious toil” or “in vain... rise up early and go late to rest,” thinking our security depends entirely on our frenzied labors. Indeed, God “gives to his beloved sleep.” It brings to mind the time Jesus slept in a boat during a storm on the Sea of Galilee. In contrast to His frazzled disciples, Jesus’ sleep was an expression of trust in His heavenly Father (Mark 4:35-41). Of course, there are times when sleeplessness is appropriate given the weightiness of our circumstances, and too much sleep may also reflect a lack of trust in the Lord, as when depressed or worried people sleep to avoid facing their troubles. But finding ourselves routinely unable to sleep due to worry indicates a need to trust God, and not to pop Ambien.

Scripture also says that too much sleep may reflect laziness. Consider Proverbs 6:9-11, which asks sarcastically, “How long will you lie there, O sluggard?” and warns that one who sleeps when he should be working will come to poverty. In contrast, the Proverbs 31 woman routinely rises early to work in her home (Proverbs 31:15). Just as failure to rest can indicate a lack of faith in God’s provision, refusal to work when we’re tired can indicate a lack of drive and work ethic.

Finally, the Bible teaches that there is a time to sacrifice sleep for a greater spiritual good. Jesus regularly rose early to pray and even prayed all night on occasion (Luke 6:12), recognizing that sometimes communion with God is more necessary for His children than physical rest. The night before Jesus’ crucifixion, for example, He told Peter, James, and John to pray that they would “not enter into temptation.” When they fell asleep instead, the Lord rebuked them and said there would be other times for sleep (Matthew 26:36-46). Their abandonment of Jesus during His arrest and trial was a result of their choice to sleep rather than seek God.

Where does all this leave us? For one, the Bible doesn’t say how much sleep we should get. Seven to nine hours may be a medical recommendation, but there’s no scriptural prescription for the number of hours we should spend in bed. Still, rest should characterize God’s people. (Not like the millions of Americans who throw off their bodies’ natural sleep rhythms by using their computers, smartphones, and tablets before going to bed.) Primarily, the Bible speaks of rest as a condition of the soul, characteristic of believers whether they are awake or asleep (see, for example, Matthew 11:29 and Hebrews 3:7-4:13). But Scripture also teaches that a soul resting in Christ normally shouldn’t find sleep elusive. At the same time, a resting soul should be disciplined to sacrifice sleep when necessary to earn a living or render service to God.

So next time worry keeps you awake or depression makes it hard to get out of bed, consider opening your Bible before you head to the medicine cabinet. There you’ll find the comforting voice of Jesus urging, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1).

July 10 2014 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Linda Rickaby Supporter

David spoke in the Psalms of sleeplessness, as well as Paul, when he spoke of his trials. Many times what brings wakefulness is burdens weighing heavily on our minds. In that case, I claim the promise in Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Psalm 119:148 says, "My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on your word." Psalm 63:6-8 is similar. See also Isaiah 26:3, 9 and Proverbs 3:21-26. When you lie awake for hours, it is a good time to lay your worries on the Lord. Lift up your anxieties to Him, and he will bring peace. If prayer does not bring sleep, then get up and spend time in God's Word. That brings much more peace than TV or secular reading.

July 10 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Good question! 

Number of Americans with stress-related insomnia:	1 in 5
Number on any given day who need more sleep;	45 million
Percentage decrease in average sleep time, since 1900:	20

Paul the Apostle, I believe, experienced this because he was such a bold witness and because he had persecuted Christ (His church). In 2 Corinthians 6:5 he writes about his sufferings as a Christian:

"in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in SLEEPLESSNESS, in hunger,"

And in 2 Corinthians 11:27 he wrote, "in weariness and toil, IN SLEEPLESSNESS OFTEN, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."

Jacob heatedly told Laban, his deceitful father-in-law, in Genesis 31:40, "I was out in all kinds of weather, from torrid heat to freezing cold, putting in MANY A SLEEPLESS NIGHT."

David sang in Psalm 63:6, "If I'm SLEEPLESS at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection."

In the prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord in Psalm 102, and in verse 7, he says, "I am SLEEPLESS {and} lie awake [mourning], like a bereaved sparrow alone on the housetop."

Psalm 56 records the prayer of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. He prayer, "You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book."

The beloved, longing for her lover, writes in the Song of Solomon in the Bible, "Restless in bed and SLEEPLESS THROUGH THE NIGHT, I longed for my lover. I wanted him desperately. His absence was painful." Song of Solomon 3:1.

12 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report