Insomnia, or the inability to get enough sleep during the night is a problem that many have. If we don’t get enough sleep it can cause all kinds of difficulties and our health suffers, too. We should first make certain there is not a medical problem that we are dealing with. If it is a medical matter we need to see a doctor for diagnosis. Some practical advice is not to have caffeine in any form after four in the afternoon because it takes at least six hours for its effects to wear off. It is often the culprit when we go to sleep just fine, but awake in the wee hours and we are then unable to sleep more; that is such a miserable thing to endure.
However, true insomnia is sometimes caused by other reasons. The Lord knows we need sleep and that it is a comfort to us as well. The word of God actually addresses this subject quite a bit. Let us consider some things that He wants us to know about sleep:
1. We need to realize that sleep is a gift from God. Many people are so busy that their lives are filled with anxiety over many things. They cheat themselves of the time they really need to get a decent night of sleep so they can get more things done, but of course they then worry about it all. Sometimes, they get to the point where they no longer sleep well when they try to sleep. The Lord says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2). We need to realize then, that sleep is a great benefit given by the Lord. We should not over-sleep but it is good to get enough sleep.
2. Balance the former understanding with the knowledge that we should not live to sleep! The Lord tells us, “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread” (Proverbs 20:13). You can see by this that He wants us to keep our sleep along with the other necessities of life but that sleep cannot be the thing we really enjoy. We should sleep a moderate amount, which doctors still say is about eight hours per night. The Lord does not want us to fall in love with sleep so much that it becomes the one thing we are good at!
3. Make sure there are not any spiritual reasons you cannot sleep. Ecclesiastes 8:16 speaks of one who, “neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes.” The next verse speaks of this man as one who seeks to know the work of God but cannot find it out (v.17). The result of being troubled is not being able to sleep. Worry, guilt, and even strong convictions to serve our Lord, can cause us to lose valuable sleep. However, what this really indicates is a need to get right with God. At times like these, what I would recommend is that we need to pray about our troubles. Open our hearts with all honesty to our Father in heaven. This is part of “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). If we have done wrong and feel guilt, we need to make the thing right. Guilt can keep someone from sleeping. Make sure you have confessed your sins to God and turned from them to the best of your ability trusting in God to give you the victory. Getting these matters right with God will help you to sleep. Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.”
4. Fill your day with good wholesome activities. Exert your best efforts in the work of the day. Ecclesiastes 5:12 states, “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” A man who physically works hard all day will usually sleep well at night, however, the rich man worries about keeping his money. But remember, Paul tells us to be not “slothful in business” but “fervent in spirit” (Romans 12:11). We are to do all things “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).
5. When we lie down to sleep at night is a good time to meditate on the Lord and the things of God (as taught in the Bible). David said, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). The peace of God allows us to sleep. How do we get this peace? First, as I said earlier, make sure that things are right between you and God. Confess your known sins to God and commit yourself to His service. Second, get the word of God in you. That is, read the Bible as you settle down for the evening. It might be helpful to work on memory verses or read from the Psalms. Third, think of the Lord. Meditate on Him and His goodness. Isaiah 26:3 states, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” To stay our minds on God means to have Him in our thoughts; to think of His goodness and greatness. Consider what He is doing around us and be thankful for His goodness. This gives us perfect peace. Proverbs 3:24, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.”
