Have you ever had one of those periods—a day, week, month, or even a year—where you're just running at a breakneck, non-stop speed? You crash into bed at the end of the day, utterly exhausted, expecting to sleep soundly. But then, the endless mental to-do list for tomorrow starts, keeping you wide awake. All this activity, anxiety, worry, and stress takes a serious toll, sending us careening toward burnout.
Millions of people every evening struggle to either fall asleep or stay asleep through the quiet hours. Lying awake in the dark can bring on a busy mind and anxious thoughts, making sleep seem impossible. Instead of waking up refreshed, the morning sun is met with exhaustion and difficulty focusing.
My Journey Through Turmoil
I thank God that even with all the "stuff" that has gone on in my life, I've never had trouble sleeping at night. This isn't to say my life has been easy; far from it. I’ve navigated divorce, multiple job losses leading to financial hardship, a rebellious child, the tragic death of children, and finally, the passing of my wife after many years of depression and physical illness. Yet, through it all, sleep has been a sanctuary.
Why? Because I learned that after doing all I could do, I had to release the things out of my control to the One who is always in control.
The Unwavering Peace of God
The Bible is full of powerful promises about God's peace and presence:
These verses remind us that God is our refuge, our strength, and He will never abandon us. His perfect love casts out all fear.
Rest When You're Anxious About Tomorrow
As you sink into bed tonight, exhausted, are you already thinking about tomorrow’s meetings, next week’s obligations, next month’s deadlines? Are you anxious about tomorrow… and the next day… and the next?
Whether you’re a busy mom worried about your child’s future, or a rising executive with demands pulling from every direction, it's difficult not knowing what tomorrow will bring. This anxiety is something that keeps many people awake at night. But does it do any good?
Anxiety can even make you feel productive. You might think, "At least I'm keeping a running tally of things to do, scenarios that could go wrong, or new ideas to explore, right?" The problem is, you can't keep going all the time. Your mind and body need a break. You need a break.
The best thing you can do for yourself is take time to rest. True rest doesn’t look like collapsing into bed, nerves fried and adrenaline pumping. It looks like letting your mind, body, and soul rest in the Lord.
True rest always involves surrendering to God.
God doesn’t tell us to rest for His good; He tells us to rest for our own good. He worked six days and rested the seventh. He, the mastermind behind the entire world, took time to give Himself a break—to cease from working, creating, and doing. Emulate the Lord’s pattern of work and rest tonight.
Millions of people every evening struggle to either fall asleep or stay asleep through the quiet hours. Lying awake in the dark can bring on a busy mind and anxious thoughts, making sleep seem impossible. Instead of waking up refreshed, the morning sun is met with exhaustion and difficulty focusing.
My Journey Through Turmoil
I thank God that even with all the "stuff" that has gone on in my life, I've never had trouble sleeping at night. This isn't to say my life has been easy; far from it. I’ve navigated divorce, multiple job losses leading to financial hardship, a rebellious child, the tragic death of children, and finally, the passing of my wife after many years of depression and physical illness. Yet, through it all, sleep has been a sanctuary.
Why? Because I learned that after doing all I could do, I had to release the things out of my control to the One who is always in control.
The Unwavering Peace of God
The Bible is full of powerful promises about God's peace and presence:
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave nor forsake you.”
- Isaiah 45:5-7 (NIV) "I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things."
- Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
- 1 John 4:18 (NIV) "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
These verses remind us that God is our refuge, our strength, and He will never abandon us. His perfect love casts out all fear.
Rest When You're Anxious About Tomorrow
As you sink into bed tonight, exhausted, are you already thinking about tomorrow’s meetings, next week’s obligations, next month’s deadlines? Are you anxious about tomorrow… and the next day… and the next?
Whether you’re a busy mom worried about your child’s future, or a rising executive with demands pulling from every direction, it's difficult not knowing what tomorrow will bring. This anxiety is something that keeps many people awake at night. But does it do any good?
Anxiety can even make you feel productive. You might think, "At least I'm keeping a running tally of things to do, scenarios that could go wrong, or new ideas to explore, right?" The problem is, you can't keep going all the time. Your mind and body need a break. You need a break.
The best thing you can do for yourself is take time to rest. True rest doesn’t look like collapsing into bed, nerves fried and adrenaline pumping. It looks like letting your mind, body, and soul rest in the Lord.
True rest always involves surrendering to God.
God doesn’t tell us to rest for His good; He tells us to rest for our own good. He worked six days and rested the seventh. He, the mastermind behind the entire world, took time to give Himself a break—to cease from working, creating, and doing. Emulate the Lord’s pattern of work and rest tonight.
Laying Down Your Burdens
Nighttime calls for rest. While you are in bed, you can't work efficiently, and you certainly can't get anything done. There may be unforeseen challenges ahead tomorrow, and there might be things that have been left undone today. But the Lord tells us not to worry about tomorrow because "each day has enough trouble of its own"
Matthew 6:30-34 (NIV) [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Sink into your bed, letting a wave of relief wash over you; tomorrow is not yet here. You have nothing on your agenda right now except sleep. Ask the Lord to lift the burden of anxiety off your shoulders. As sure as the stars twinkling in the night sky, He will answer your request. As gently as the crickets sing throughout the evening, the Lord will come to you. Rest tonight, dear one. The Lord is near.
A Prayer for Rest
I come to You with a troubled, anxious heart, Lord. I ask You now to take away my anxiety and fear so that I can rest deeply tonight. Please answer my prayer quickly! Remember;
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) [4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May God's peace be with you tonight.
Nighttime calls for rest. While you are in bed, you can't work efficiently, and you certainly can't get anything done. There may be unforeseen challenges ahead tomorrow, and there might be things that have been left undone today. But the Lord tells us not to worry about tomorrow because "each day has enough trouble of its own"
Matthew 6:30-34 (NIV) [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Sink into your bed, letting a wave of relief wash over you; tomorrow is not yet here. You have nothing on your agenda right now except sleep. Ask the Lord to lift the burden of anxiety off your shoulders. As sure as the stars twinkling in the night sky, He will answer your request. As gently as the crickets sing throughout the evening, the Lord will come to you. Rest tonight, dear one. The Lord is near.
- Philippians 4:6 (NIV) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
- Psalm 55:22 (NIV) "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."
- Psalm 34:17 (ESV) "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."
- Leviticus 25:4 (ESV) "But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard."
A Prayer for Rest
I come to You with a troubled, anxious heart, Lord. I ask You now to take away my anxiety and fear so that I can rest deeply tonight. Please answer my prayer quickly! Remember;
Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) [4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May God's peace be with you tonight.
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