The last few days, sleep has alluded me, whether it be drinking caffeine too late, pain or racing thoughts, I’ve been chasing the zzzzzz’s. Now, ever since my stroke, i can nap during the day. I’ve never been able to do that. A few nights ago, I fell asleep and did not wake until time for bed.
Let me speak to my racing thoughts. I don’t know that racing is the right word. Maybe spiraling. They begin with something happening, pain usually begins the spiral. In the midst of a flare, it is very easy to forget that my pain levels have been much lower recently. I give myself grace. Stop the spiral. But what about this hard situation? Or what about this that you have no control over ? And the spiral begins again. I don’t know about you but a favorite time to begin this is late at night or the middle of the night? And my sleep is affected, making these spirals happen all the more.
And I began to think about the word sleep and how it is used in the Word. yes, welcome to my brain. And these two passages came to mind. Let’s read.
”Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”“
Luke 8:22-25 NASB1995
If the Lord of all creation, waves too, sleeps through this torrential storm, maybe He’s tired, yes, or maybe He’s knows how to calm the storms. He’s not worried that this might be the end. He’s not concerned that water is in the boat. I’m weepy as I type this. I have a lot of storms right now and not many solutions of my own making. I need to keep looking and setting my focus on Jesus, who can sleep through a storm. That peace can be found in the middle of the storm with Jesus. Now, let’s look at Peter, who was on that boat and freaking out (justifiable IMO), look at how much has changed. He is markedly changed. this is Acts 12.
”On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.“
Acts 12:6-7 NASB1995
Peter knows his Savior. He’s been through the storms with Jesus present, bodily. He knows who creates the waves and who calms them. That knowledge means he is sleeping in prison. Between two guards. Bound with TWO chains. I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a nice, soft prison bed. On the cold, hard ground, insert myself here, I can’t sleep when I’m cold. I just can’t. Anyway, an angel shows up and light blazing in the cell and this is how hard Peter is sleeping, the angel has to strike Peter’s side to wake him. He is at peace. He is sleeping soundly.
”In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.“
Psalms 4:8 NASB1995
I end with Psalm 121. A good reminder for me to remember, recall and respond.
”I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]— From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber [briefly] nor sleep [soundly]. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in [everything that you do] From this time forth and forever.“
Psalms 121:1-8 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.121.1-8.AMP
Comment
Cara you have a lot on your plate. Worry about your dad worry about your mom coping with your dad’s care. Sadness abou the loss of you dear sweet Star. Worries about your husbands job loss. Plus everyday worries with family matters. I too nap during the late afternoon when we go to bed we read and then turn off the lights. Now starts my time worrying about everything. Trying to solve lives problems. Etc and so on. In the world of today there is so much to worry about ESPECIALLY our adult children Thank God he hears our worries and we can pray to Him I hope news about you dad get better while he is at MarionJoy. Boots