Did you know that sleep is one of the good gifts that the Lord gives us as His children?
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2, ESV).
I have spent many nights caring for a sweet little boy in the last few months. Life with a newborn often includes disturbed nights of sleep, including feedings, diaper changes, burping, and more. If we manage to get some decent rest and start our day with energy, it is the easiest reminder of how precious this gift of sleep is.
Now that we are at the 4-month milestone, my little one has entered the sleep regression zone. Of course, I am grateful that my baby is growing and getting stronger, but to be completely transparent, I do miss my sleep!
In one of our recent sleepless nights, I read that my little one isn’t the only one who has issues with resting throughout the night. Many adults do as well. According to the CDC, the daily recommended amount of sleep for individuals ages 18 and up is more than seven hours. Unfortunately, the entity also reports that in 2022, 36.8% of Americans do not reach that level of rest daily.
Likewise, in a 2022 article, the NIH (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) reported, “Nearly 40% of adults report falling asleep during the day without meaning to at least once a month. Also, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic, or ongoing, sleep disorders.”
The NIH further explains that when it comes to the sleep disorder insomnia, it can be made worse by age, environment, lifestyle, and stress.
Today, many individuals (myself included) are so stressed throughout the day as we attempt to cross off every task and chore on our to-do list that our worries keep us from resting. After all, it is hard to turn off one’s brain and rest at night when it feels like the world’s weight is hanging on our shoulders.
I imagine that the disciples also experienced these feelings a time or two. Throughout Scripture, there are many different examples of these Christ-following men facing stress. But one instance stands out - and it happened to take place in a boat.
In Matthew 8, Scripture records the story of when Jesus and His disciples traveled the seas. While sailing, Jesus decided it would be a good time to rest. So, He took a nap. But while He was sleeping, a great storm arose, leaving these holy men afraid. Verse 25 shows their terror, saying,
And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”
That quickly, they had forgotten Who was aboard the ship with them. Verses 26-27 says,
He *said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
These men had been walking with Jesus – day in and day out. They had seen Him perform miracles! But when the storm started to rage, they forgot Who was beside them on the boat. At that moment, their actions showed that they had little faith in the One who had provided for them countless times before.
In our walks with Christ, we are often tempted to do the same. When the going gets tough, instead of resting in faith that He will take care of us, we let life’s stressful storms get the best of us.
However, Christ Himself was so unfazed by the boat’s rocking that He rested while the winds blew. By trusting Him, we can also rest - no matter what life throws our way.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
