I lie awake thinking of You,
Meditating on You through the night.
Because You are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.
I cling to You;
Your strong right hand holds me securely.

When I read Psalm 63: 6-8 my first thought was of my own sleepless nights. I was also reminded God holds me securely in His strong right hand. Peace washed over me. To actually visualize God’s strong right hand holding me securely. Cue the butterflies again!

There are many nights I lay awake all night long. Seriously, not a wink of sleep all night comes to me. Sometimes this goes on for several nights in a row. During these hours of sleeplessness it can be maddening. I know my body is tired and needs to sleep yet my mind will not shut off. For years, I would go watch TV or just lay there and think of fifty million things that then added to my sleeplessness. One night during one of my panics because I knew I had a full day the next day God so clearly said,” Give this to me.” I got up right then and hit my knees. It occurred to me that God wanted to hear from me about the stresses in my life and this was the only way to get me alone with no distractions because my days are filled with many obligations. I was forgetting God in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life. I wasn’t starting my days in God’s word or even starting my days with prayer thus, not surrendering my day to him. My friends, God wants to hear from us each and every day. He wants us to start our day with him.

I forget sometimes that I don’t have to deal with the burdens of life alone. I have a mighty God who wants to do it for me. Now when I can’t sleep I take it to God in prayer. Just like David did. Instead of worrying about things during his sleeplessness, David remembered the blessings God had given him. He remembered that God’s right hand held him securely. I have to remember to do the same. Praise God for His blessings even during a sleepless night. Some nights I still pull all nighters. Only now it isn’t wasted time. Now I spend all night talking to God. Don’t get me wrong, some nights I just talk to God about sleep. And my prayers go something like this,” Lord, please give me sleep tonight!” Then He gently reminds me there is something I need to talk to him about and give up. Sometimes I ask Him to reveal something to me I am not yet aware of. It may be a reminder that I need to slow down. We get bogged down in the craziness of life and forget to have quiet moments with God with no distractions. He usually reveals to me I am trying to please too many people rather than pleasing Him. Often times I am reminded of the blessings God has given me. After being reminded of these blessing and thanking God sincerely for these blessings my heart is lighter and sleep comes. My husband will think I am crazy for telling you (He sees the result of a sleepless night. God bless that man!) that after I get a full night sleep again I am thankful for the nights I spent in prayer. Time with God is never wasted. It is probably a reminder to slow down and spend some time in God’s word.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gentle reminders (even sleepless nights) that we need to take everything to You. The gift of sharing our burdens and joys with You is an amazing gift. We thank You for Your unfailing love that brings peace to our hearts. In Jesus Name, Amen