Sweet Sleep
The enemy has a counterfeit for everything Godly. Sleep was created by God to be peaceful and refreshing. To restore our bodies and strengthen us for what lies ahead.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24
Healing Powers of Sleep
During sleep, your body undergoes a number of changes that enable healing and restoration that is critical to your overall health. Dr. Alexa Abdelaziz PhD | Mend
Even the medical field knows the power of good sleep. I believe that's how God created us. Not to fret or sleep to escape life, but to rest, knowing He is in control. That's when you sleep peacefully, in spite of your circumstances, not because of them/to escape them.
But the enemy can cause us to use sleep for something else—a false escape for our fears, anxiety & depression. That’s what I used it for. When I was at my lowest, I had gotten to the point where I preferred sleep to my day to day because while asleep, well, you don’t have to confront anything, like how unhappy you are. So, I took medication to sleep as long as possible.
When the best part of your day is to be asleep. Because nothing can hurt you when you're asleep. tumblr.com
I’m a nurse, and during that time I was working rotating 12 hour nights and days. Anyone who’s worked that type of schedule, knows the toll it takes on your body, and your sleep pattern! So my sleep was pretty discombobulated. Taking something to help me sleep was at first, very innocent. I just wanted some type of normal sleep pattern. But I soon realized how just checking out for even a few hours was something that felt good. Too good. Instead of lying in bed crying, or daydreaming about a life I wished I had, or both; I could take something and just go to sleep. I was mentally tired of the loneliness. I got to a point where I couldn’t wait to take something so I could get in the bed and sleep. Now, I know that sometimes, after a crazy day, or week, a good night's sleep does wonders to clear our heads. But my thinking of sleep had turned into purely a vehicle for escape, for running away from my problems, instead of facing them; getting healing for them. The enemy loved that.
The desire to sleep a lot may reveal feelings of loneliness, anxiousness, and/or depression. PSYCH 260
Sometimes, all you can do is lie in bed, and hope to fall asleep before you fall apart. William C, Hannan
When the disciples and Jesus were in a boat, and a fierce storm came that flooded the boat until they were nearly capsized, everyone was working furiously to save themselves; everyone, but Jesus. He was asleep. Not because He wanted to escape what was going on, hoping it would all be over when He woke up. He went to sleep in peace and woke up, in the midst of a violent storm, with that same peace. Why? Because He had complete faith in His Father. Not in Himself, or His own abilities, because, according to Him, "I can of myself do nothing." John 5:30 NKJV
When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. Ellen G. White | "Peace, Be Still" | The Desire of Ages
WOW! That's all I can say whenever I think about that kind of faith which brings that kind of peace. We have to pray for, fast for, and claim that faith. When I accepted Jesus into my heart, one of the things He showed me was that I didn't need to use sleep as an escape, I needed healing. And with healing, my sleep would be sweet, peaceful and restorative. Preparing me for what was ahead the next day, knowing that, as long as I let Him, He would walk with me.
But, honestly, sometimes I do go to bed fretful, wondering what in the world is going on! But it's those times that He whispers to me to be still and trust Him. Allow Him to give me sweet sleep and surrender all, including my dreams, to Him. And when I do, I wake up peaceful; a peace that surpasses all understanding.
What about you, my friend. Is your sleep sweet? Does anything keep you up at night OR sleeping all day? Give it to Him. He longs to comfort and heal you.
"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Psalm 4:8
