3-Sleepless in Cleveland: Bible Survival

The Big Idea: When you can't sleep use Scripture verrses to help

Six ways the Bible can help you sleep!

As a baby, my mom said sleep was impossible for me. She thought maybe I was too curious about everything going on. A creak in the floor or a cough from my dad, and I was wide awake looking around.

I am a very light sleeper. I hear ever tick of the clock and every car that zooms up the street. At least until I can finally fall into deep sleep. After an evening meeting, I play over in my head all the conversations I participated in.

It is even more difficult when I have something serious to worry about. However, I have learned a few tricks over the years how to apply scripture to my need for sleep. I can tell you I have put this into practice

I would like to recommend six ways to use Scripture to fall asleep.

 

1. Meditate on a verse or a passage familiar to you

I gave an example recently about using the 23rd Psalm to meditate on. With that you could take a verse or a phrase and emphasis different aspects in your head. You could repeat a phrase, examining it, and making it a prayer.

Here are a couple examples:

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127:2

You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. Proverbs 3:24

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

2. Get up and read the Bible

There are several ways you could approach this. If you are reading through the Bible in a year and have gotten behind you can catch up on some reading. You might want to go through a shorter book in its entirety such as Ruth in the Old Testament, or Philippians or another epistle in the New Testament.

a. List of sleep verses. Read over a list of sleep and peace from worry verses. Here is a PDF of a list.

b. Read a favorite Psalm or one good for sleep. Suggestions might be Psalm 4, Ps 91, and Psalm 116. Favorites are often Psalm 1, Psalm 19, Psalm 23, Psalm 34, Psalm 103, Psalm 139.

c. Read stories in the Bible involving sleep. There are a lot of them but here are a couple good ones to recommend.

Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob sleeps as God speaks to him.

1 Kings 19 - How God brought sleep to Isaiah when he was worried.

Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus asleep in the storm. Read the whole chapter

3. Listen to Scripture

Put earplugs in for your ipod or phone with the audio Bible or meditation songs based on Scripture. YouVersion has audio Bibles on it and you can start listening.

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8

4. Think through lists in the Bible.

This might really test your Bible knowledge, which may drive you to study it more the next morning. Here are some examples to think through.

• What happened on creation each day.
• Recite a Psalm or the Lord's Prayer.
• What are the books of the New Testament in their order.
• Think through I Corinthians 13 for the "Love is" section.
• Name the Armour of God or the Fruit of the Spirit

5. Pray

You can use a Bible verse to help you pray. You can also pray for lists of family or friends. Are you worried about someone or an issue in particular? Pray about it.

God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. Romans 1:9

Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. Psalm 55:17

6. Godly Fantasy

Imagine yourself in a Bible story. Think of being in a crowd when Jesus is getting ready to feed the 5000 and imagine what it would be like to be there. Talk to the little boy with his five loaves and two fishes. Interview one of the disciples. Or think about being in the tent with three strangers visit Abraham, or put yourself with Sarah as she is listening from the other tent while preparing a meal for them. Talk with Sarah about this crazy promise from God to have a son.

Each of these methods help me get my mind off of the issues trying rob my mind of peace.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

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Reflect:

1. What keeps you from falling asleep at night? Are you prone to having trouble falling asleep?

2. Which suggestion appeals to you more to help you fall asleep?

3. Is there a verse you would find helpful to memorize so you can use it when you are anxious?