When You Feel Sleepless
How can we handle worry?
Originally Written August 2024
Matthew 6:31-34, NIV “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.”
I laid in bed, tired but not sleepy. My mind teetered between worry and apathy. Thoughts flooded my mind: There’s not much on the calendar tomorrow; I guess I’m unimportant. My husband is busy; it looks like I’m on baby duty. Do I even have value as a stay-at-home mom?
When thoughts like these surface, how can we cope? When the future seems uncertain, how can we respond?
As I prepared for the birth of my second child, I worried about upcoming events. I rubbed my eyes and tried to sleep—tried to calm my mind. As I scrolled through my phone, I found an article for new moms about applying the gospel to everyday life.
The article reminded me that sin and brokenness affect us all. Isaiah 53:6 likens us to sheep who’ve gone astray. Our souls, bodies, and minds need redemption. Often, I numbed my pain with things of this world instead of His Word. Why pray when I could worry?
I forgot that I needed a Savior and Shepherd to guide me. He wanted me to follow Him to green pastures, soak in quiet waters, and refresh my soul. He may not remove my worries, but He strengthens in the sleepful and sleepless nights.
But why is it so hard to rest? Often temporal matters stole my rest. I worried about silly things like what to wear when pregnant, postpartum, and beyond. Or how I would manage time with 2 kids. But when I’m bogged down by worry, He provides an eternal perspective. When I’m insecure about a shifting calendar, I can remember there’s more to this life than busyness.
When we’re uncertain about the future, we can remember this earth is not our home (Hebrews 13:14). When our mind wanders to future “what ifs” we can find comfort in knowing His rod and staff guide us through valleys and mountaintops (Psalm 23:4).
The Father knows what we need before we do (Matthew 6:32). We can have peace even in sleepless nights because He is our sustainer.
He will strengthen us morning and night.
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This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Sleepless."
One of the things that has helped me cope with little sleep is just accepting that it is hard and giving myself a lot of grace with my productivity the next day.
I'm reading this after the recent time change, and I find myself in a cycle of sleepness nights. My body hasn't readjusted to what it is suppose to be doing. (Isn't that amazing how our bodies respond to even one hour changes?) With that being said, I really resonate with your words, "He may not remove my worries, but He strengthens in the sleepful and sleepless nights." I am clinging to His strength today, as I do what @AlyPrades suggests and give myself (and others) extra grace today.