Sleepless Nights—My 4-Step Solution

Eyes wide open, I turned to look at the clock on the nightstand, 2:18. I groaned, “Not again, why in the world am I awake at 2 in the morning? That’s the third night in a row. There’s nothing I can do at 2 a.m. to fix any of my problems, so why am I awake?”

Sleepless nights. We all have them at one time or another. Sometimes we’re awake because of pain, or hunger, or some other physical reason. More often, it’s our own mind, our thoughts waking us up, keeping us awake.

Just this week, I read not one, not two, but THREE different posts on Facebook from friends who struggled with not enough sleep.

In 2 Corinthians 11:27 the apostle Paul writes, “I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” (NASB)

Awake in the middle of the night, I know there’s not a thing I can do to solve any of my problems. I’m not at work to earn money to pay bills, the household chores have either been done or must wait so I don’t wake my husband, and it’s certainly the wrong time to consult with any friends who might be able to help.

It’s just me.

Well, it’s me AND God.

I used to ask, “Why am I awake?”

But now I turn to my 4-Step solution for these sleepless nights. Mentally, instead of dwelling on the things I cannot do at 2 a.m. I,

• • Praise God for His amazing creation
  • Share thoughts of gratitude
  • Pray for the people whose names come to my mind
  • “Cast my cares” upon Him

Without fail, every sleepless night I take the opportunity to do these things, when I do  fall asleep, I rest well and waken refreshed, ready to meet the challenges of the new day.

The next time you’re confronted with a sleepless night, spend that time with the Lord. You won’t regret it.

It might even become the most productive part of your day.

“I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely,” Psalm 16:7-9 (NASB).

What If . . . ?

 

I lose my job?

The car breaks down?

I get hurt riding my horse?

My children won’t listen?

There’s a bee in the flower?

What if . . . ?

---

Stop and think –

Many  things we worry about are preceded by  “what if?”

But, God’s plan for us is perfect because He is perfect.

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope,” Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB).

We should still work hard at our jobs, maintain our cars, discipline our children, practice safety, etc. But we can be encouraged there are no “what if’s” in God’s plan. He is in control and since He is, we’ve no need to worry.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God,” Philippians 4:6 (NASB).

Let’s remember to trust the Lord and let go of the ‘what if’s.” His every decision, every action, is best for us.

He never struggles with doubts

No second guesses

His will is done with perfect love.

No “what if’s”

Stop to smell the roses, but watch out for the bees.

 

Diving Deep

I peer out over the lake. Watching the water ripple in the breeze. The waves gently lapping the shoreline.

Several yards away from where I sit on the rock, I see the turtle’s head, barely above the waterline.

As a boat approaches, the waves get stronger, crashing louder. The turtle disappears, diving deeper into the water.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind”, James 1:6 (NIV).
I continue to watch. The turtle reappears.
Another boat, the turtle dives again. This time I think, Is the water quieter down below these waves?
As I sit, watching the waves, the boats, and the turtle, my mind turns to God. His creation, the beauty, but even more His provision – for quiet, for peace, for safety.
The turtle dove into the water to escape the turbulent waves caused by the boats’ wake. We can dive deeper into the Word of God to escape the turbulence caused within the world.

Worry, doubt, problems, loss ─ these often make us feel tossed and blown by the waves of trouble.
Diving deeper into Scripture can bring a tranquility not seen from the surface.

“I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm”, Psalm 55:8 (NIV).

 

 

 

Bearing More Fruit

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit,” John 15:1-2 (NASB)

The owner of the vineyard tells me she removes the branches that are dead. That she added a new branch (root) which is already entwined with the older vine.

 Jesus continues, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

When growing grapes, the entire plant is considered the grape vine. It is this portion from which all other branches, leaves, and fruit, must grow.  Rosalie went on to explain for the fruit to reach its maximum potential, it must receive plenty of sunlight. This means that even some of the beautiful leaves and young shoots must be pruned away. This makes room for the sun to shine through. She said she didn’t like to do that part but, if she didn’t, then there wouldn’t be tasty grapes to eat.

Jesus used the examples of vines, branches, and fruit to help us see ─ our lives are a lot like a grapevine. The dead wood (sin) must be removed and destroyed. Unnecessary parts of our busy days need to be carefully pruned to allow the Light of the Son to shine through. When Jesus, the Son, shines in our lives then fruit will grow.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)

 

Hidden by the light

My eyes turned toward the stars shining above me. I live out in the country. Dark is darker and stars are brighter in the country. City lights illuminate the darkest night and hide most of the stars.

As I pondered the beauty of the sky and the multitude of the stars I thought – There are just as many stars in the sky above the city. But we can’t see them because of the clutter of city lights.

This prompted my next thought – What kind of clutter obscures our vision of God? Too much to do? Too much stuff? Too many hobbies, jobs, worries?

Spend some time today with God, uncluttered by the cares of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Season and Out of Season

Is winter in season or out of season? It’s February. I go outside and don’t need a coat, or hat, or mittens. Where is the cold weather that I associate with February?

Now, I’m not complaining. No, not one bit. I’m enjoying this weather. I even spent a few minutes riding my horse this morning. But, it makes me wonder. What has happened with February? January was warm too. So was most of December.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with [a]great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4: 1-2 (NASB).

Whether it’s 76 degrees in February or snowing in July, God’s word remains the same. It’s our responsibility as followers of Jesus to speak His word, to share the Good News.

Even if we don’t need a coat in February.

What’s in a Name

   My eyes looked at the brilliant stars in the January night sky. Two stars, or planets, maybe, drew my attention. I asked myself, “I wonder which those two are?”

I turned to view more of the heavens. Stars shone brightly, some twinkling, some just barely visible. I’m awestruck by how many are up there. Even more amazing is that God has named every, single one. Not a star exists that hasn’t been given a name by God.

“He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them” Psalm 147:4 (NASB).

Humans give names to their children, their pets, sometimes their cars and homes. Giving someone, or something, a name implies an ownership – my child, my dog. Naming also involves responsibility. I have a duty to take care of my children, my pets, my property.

God gave us that ownership and responsibility when he assigned Adam the task of naming the animals in the Garden of Eden.

“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name” Genesis 2:19 (NASB).

Just as God knows each, and every star by name, He knows us. The stars shine and reflect the glory of His creation in the heavens. We are to reflect His glory on the earth.

“As all of us reflect the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, we are becoming more like him with ever-increasing glory by the Lord’s Spirit” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ISV).

 

 

 

 

 

The Maze of Life

Have you ever been lost and didn’t know which way to go? Struggled to see the end of the path, only to find out there are several turns? Wanted to get to the finish line, but the finish line wasn’t close enough? Which direction to turn? How far until the end, the answer, the finish, the solution?

Well, if you are out enjoying autumn fun in the countryside these are the questions posed while navigating the corn maze. Increasing in popularity, these treks can be torture (for older ladies like me), challenging (mothers with small children may find it so), but still – fun.

Following Jesus is a lot like walking through a corn maze. You don’t always know which direction to turn. You can’t see the path ahead. We will make wrong decisions. But, just like the staff members watching over the maze and its travelers, God watches over us. He can set our feet on the right path. He can block the wrong direction and tell us which way to turn.

For the corn maze, there is a map, and the counsel of the people who work there. For the maze of life, we have the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.

Don’t stay lost.

“… He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” Psalm 23:3 (NASB).

For corn maze fun in Lexington, SC:

http://agbusinessdmi.wixsite.com/clintonsease

 

Content Whatever the Circumstances

Several weeks ago I struggled with pending changes in my horse life, my horses’ living arrangements, in my financial situation. I lost sleep dwelling on the potential outcomes of these changes, fighting with myself over what would be the best decisions. I wrote about my struggle in Resistant to Change.docx

As I turned to God in the midst of this emotional battle, once again, He uses my horses to teach me the lesson He offers.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned
to be content whatever the circumstances” Philippians 4:11. (NIV)

My friend sold her farm. Many reasons suggested it would be best for me to find a new home for my horses. I began searching and talking to a few horse people in the area. My horses moved to the new place at the beginning of September.

A few minutes after arrival this is the level of their “struggle” with changing homes.

Soon they discover other resources have been provided for them.

My horses adjusted quickly to their new home. I realized that the safety, security, and constancy of having what they needed, and familiar people involved in their care, brought them a contentment instead of “resistance to change”.

Just as my presence gave them a comfort and contentment, I can be content in my circumstances because I know –
“God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change . . .” Psalm 55:1. (NIV)

Later that same week, my granddaughter is bathing ‘her’ horse. The others stand close to the spray of the water, enjoying their new home. They are content because they rely on us to take care of them.

“The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble” Proverbs 19:23. (NIV)

Rest content in the Lord, allow Him to be your constant Presence. Be content, whatever your circumstances.

Know God – Trust God

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You” Psalm 56:3 (NIV).

I had not given a lot of thought that there is a difference between knowing God and trusting God. But after a trail ride with my horse, I now understand this more fully.

I’ve had my horse, Reecie, for years. Many years. For so long that I know what she knows and what she doesn’t know – because I didn’t teach it to her. I know what she likes. Things like grass, hay, grain, being brushed, her friends. I know what she doesn’t like. Bug bites, honey or cinnamon flavored treats, being by herself. I also know that she’s never been truly asked to test her physical capabilities. I’d never fully given her my trust.

Yet, on July 12 she was put to the test. After being persuaded by friends, I took her on a two hour trail ride in Hitchcock Woods, Aiken, SC. Reecie rose to the task of carrying the burden of an overweight middle-aged rider (me), up and down hills that looked daunting to my eye. I learned what it meant to trust that she not only COULD carry me through but that she WOULD carry me.

We can know God by reading His word. It tells us what He likes, what He doesn’t like. But until we fully trust that He not only CAN but WILL carry us through the things we find daunting, we’re missing out on a lot of the beauty in life.

I’m thankful that I trusted Reecie to carry me and she trusted me to guide her. Because of this shared trust we both enjoyed a lovely trail ride and our relationship has grown stronger.

I’m thankful that I can trust God to carry me through life’s challenges as well.

Know God, Trust God. Your relationship with Him will be stronger.

“LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You” Psalm 84:12 (NIV).