Lesson 4, Week 4: Getting a Good Night’s Rest

Today’s Scripture Focus:  And in the night His song shall be with me. A prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8 NIV

*Before you begin, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you study God’s Word.

One thing about it, as we age, sleep often becomes a problem. What do we do when we encounter sleepless nights? What causes the tossing and turning and how can we overcome the bouts of sleeplessness?

First of all, it is often poor sleep hygiene. That can easily be corrected by eating dinner at a reasonable hour, no caffeine in the evenings, and winding down to prepare our body for rest. Lots of seniors find that going out at night to a meeting or a party will keep them wound up for hours and sleep will elude them.

I’m not a sleep specialist, but I have been sleepless. I’ve had to seek help to address this problem. I would highly recommend going to a sleep clinic if you struggle with sleeplessness. They can help you determine the cause and how to address your particular sleep problem.

But in addition to this, my curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to know what the Scriptures had to say about sleep and God’s song being with me.

Think on These Things

Read Psalm 121

Today, we are going to look at verses 3-4. “He will not let your foot slip—
 he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” NIV

We are told that God never slumbers or sleep. Now, we can sleep easy for God is watching over us. Sleep is not a requirement for Him. Worry can keep us awake and because of that I never listen to the news before retiring for the night. Instead I have a prayer box and inside it I keep some rocks or pebbles I’ve collected. I name them according to my worries for that day and place them in the box for God. I choose to let Him have my worries. This literal act helps you to give Him your worries mentally. You'll soon find it gets easier and your faith will increase.

Turning off the mind is a major problem for some of us. When our thoughts threatened to run off in several different directions, we need to reel those thoughts in and think on the following verses: Proverb 3:24 (NIV) When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Matthew 8:24 (NIV) Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

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

If your sleeplessness is not a constant problem, then maybe God has a purpose in your occasional wakefulness. Sometimes, he wakes us up to pray to Him for others, or to converse with Him.

Read Psalm 63:6 (NIV) On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

What I Learned

--God wants me to have rest.

--A lack of sleep may be caused by poor sleep _____________.

--When my thoughts wander, I can ____________________

--God who never sleeps is _____________ over me.

--God wants me to feel His ___________.

--Sometimes God may wake me because He wants me to _____________________________________________.

How I Will Apply What I Have Learned

1.      I will have my sleep assessed and see what is causing my problem.

2.      Then in prayer, I will ask God to guide me to the truth.

3.      The next time I am awaken, I will listen to God to speak within my heart and mind.

Dear Lord,

            I turn my sleeplessness over to you. I give you all my cares and worries. I ask Lord that you will help me focus on You and mediate on Your Word. Lord, if I need help in assessing my sleep problems, then guide me to a sleep clinic that can help me. If You want me to spend time in the night praying to you and meditating on Your Word, make that clear to me. Help me to hear Your song in the night. In Jesus Name, Amen.