Episode 179

Anybody else struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep? Since I was a little girl, I’ve had a hard time slowing down my mind and/or my body when the clock says it’s time for bed. Perhaps that’s why I’m so familiar with the verses I’ll be reading for you today. Psalm 63 serves as a wonderful reminder that if I lose sleep, I can still find God. Psalm 63:6-8 inspired today’s episode, and I have thought of these verses on countless sleepless nights. When I have trouble falling asleep, I try to quiet my mind with prayer. The longer I lie awake, the more earnestly I search for God. I’ll ask him, “What is it you want me to pray about?” Sometimes a name or a situation will pop into my head, and I’ll begin to pray along those lines. Other times, my mind quiets and I can’t figure out why I still can’t fall asleep. As the clock ticks away at my hopes for a full-night’s rest, I’ll ask God to multiply the hours once I do fall asleep so that in the morning it seems like I got in all the required hours. Then I’ll breathe deeply and count my blessings. It’s crazy how often I’ll wake up in the morning totally refreshed, even though I may have remained wide awake well past midnight. I wake up thanking God for multiplying the hours and giving me the rest I needed. I thank him for showing himself faithful by supplying my need for sleep. I also thank him for hearing my prayers as I earnestly searched for him while sleep evaded me. If we keep the mindset of David, the one who wrote Psalm 63, then we can be certain that losing sleep doesn’t have to be a total loss. Don’t forget to download the graphic that goes with today’s episode. You’ll find it—along with the graphics for all my episodes—on my podcast page at this link: Shawna's Blog - Bible Teacher | Author | Shawna Marie Bryant   This week's scripture: Psalm 63:6-8