Sleeping Securely

Anne Adams

‘In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.’ (Psalm 4:8 NIV)

“I just can’t seem to get any sleep…,” Katy stifled a yawn, then turned to her friend Ginny as their Bible study class came to a close. 

“It’s probably those finals I’ve got next week," she continued.

Knowing Katy was a part time student, Ginny nodded sympathetically. 

“I imagine you’re under a lot of pressure.”

Katy went on, “You bet – it seems like I’ve done nothing but study… and then when I try to go to bed, all I can think of is what I might be missing and what’ll happen if I… “She stopped and shook her head in misery.

“You're probably just anxious and worried,” Ginny offered. 

“Have you tried praying about it?”

 
Katy didn’t seem to be listening however, and continued… 

“Maybe I should try something like… counting sheep!”

Ginny smiled slightly… “Well, maybe. 

But when I have insomnia, I don’t count sheep – I just talk to the Shepherd.”

Sleeplessness can certainly be a real problem – possibly even to the psalmist who penned our passage. 

Yet while calculating woolies might work sometimes for some people, when we trust God and rely on Him there is a much better solution.
Sleeplessness certainly can come when we worry and fret about our problems – difficulties that can fill our minds with imaginings that rehash details and possibilities. 

Thus, sleep becomes elusive. 

And of course, like Katy suggested, counting sheep might sometimes provide a repetitious distraction that masks the worries and induces relaxation. 

After all, we want peace – and sleep!

Yet when we talk to the Lord – the Shepherd – that way we're in communication with the one who not only knows about our problems, but also can help us confront and solve them. 

Add the faith necessary to trust him to accomplish the tasks ahead, combine that with the confidence he provides – and there's no need for any sheep!

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