Sleep My Friend

by Amy

For my birthday, I had planned on posting a blog reflecting on my year as a 36 year old.

God showed me something else I feel more important to share at this time, so I’ll joyfully be obedient. 

This season has been hard on the entire world. I’ve heard so many stories and updates from friends and family on their situations; people going back and forth between confidence and fear. One minute they are okay and the next they are needing encouragement. I include myself in all this. I’ve certainly had my share of tears as well as moments of prayer, worship and laughter. 

I’ve been staying away from social media, movies and shows due to Lent. This season of sacrifice I decided to let go of distractions in the form of entertainment. The only time I allow myself to watch a movie or scroll through Instagram is on weekends. It has truly helped me become focused and replace a lot of spare time with Jesus. I’ve not been perfect, but I’m finding a love for the quiet moments. 

Last night I was scrolling through Instagram to see how friends are doing. As I read, I started seeing a theme.

I found that there were several people who mentioned their lack of sleep. A few spoke of having nightmares about COVID-19 and their families. Some said they couldn’t sleep at all. 

This had me thinking about what I have been reading in the Bible. In working through the gospels, I’ve read each book’s version of Jesus calming the storms. Whether He was in the boat or walking towards the boat, He had a theme of His own: calmness. 

My favorite of these versions is in Mark 4:35-40. I love the way The Message says it: 

“Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured on to the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?” Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?”

Photo by Alexander Kluge on Unsplash

Jesus calmed a storm again when He walked on the water to the disciples. As He got close he spoke words to calm them as well, saying “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter was the first to be bold and take it a step further by asking Jesus if He could meet Him out on the water. We all know what happened: Jesus said to come, Peter stepped out of the boat, and when he stopped focusing on Jesus he started to slip into the water. Jesus, of course, took him by the hand and brought him back to His arms.

One other story since we are talking about Peter: In Acts 12 we read that Herod had arrested Peter and had every intention of putting him to death. Yet, it says Peter slept through the night (or as The Message puts it: “Peter slept like a baby.”). The church prayed for Peter vigorously. Then an angel appeared at Peter’s side and flooded the room with light. Peter was in such deep sleep the angel had to wake him! As the handcuffs broke, the angel led Peter out of prison, rescuing him from death.

What I find incredible is that Peter slept through the night. He was so far into his sleep that the angel had to do the waking. How could you sleep if you knew you would be facing death? What kind of anxiety would that bring? Fear? Hopelessness? Depression? He didn’t seem bothered by any of it.

He allowed his confidence in God and his devout love for Him to power over his fears; so much that his body followed his spirit. Jesus peacefully slept during a storm though waves poured over the boat forcefully. He knew there was no storm He couldn’t handle. 

Even I had trouble falling asleep last night. But the moment I allowed God to fill my thoughts I could feel my body respond and all the tenseness broke down and I slumbered into a deep sleep. I dreamed and peacefully slept. 

Be of courage, friends. On this special day, I want to pray over you and your sleep. I pray that the God of all peace (surpassing anything we can comprehend) would fill your homes as you lay at night. I pray that the anxiety you may (or may not) feel would leave your body from the inside out. 

You have every authority, given by God, to call out the enemy on this! Tell the enemy to quiet as Jesus told the storm! Take courage, and don’t be afraid. Take back your sleep, in Jesus’ name. Take back your right to have a full night’s rest. Take back your sweet dreams. God will do His part and meet you where you are. 

Father, I pray over all those who have had sleepless nights and bodies overrun with anxiety and anxious thoughts, including my own. I pray for the fear to leave our minds and hearts. Let our eyes be fixed on you even as we drift into slumber. You will carry us through the night – fighting on our behalf as we peacefully sleep. Help our bodies relax and bring to our minds your Word. Let your voice overpower any negative thought that may enter our minds. May the breastplate of righteousness protect our hearts and the helmet of salvation protect our minds from the enemy’s tactics. We choose to trust in you. You are our peace. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.