This week’s devotion is about resting in the Lord and getting a good night’s sleep. But first, I want to share with you a personal experience regarding sleep.

I want to introduce you to my cat Herbie who is almost 14 years old. He is half-Siamese/half-Tabby. The Siamese part of him is very vocal and meows a lot. The Tabby part is very gentle and affectionate. He is quite responsive when you interact with him verbally and his purr sounds more like singing.

For years Herbie slept quietly at the foot of my bed, but several months ago his behavior changed. He began developing a bad habit of meowing incessantly at night trying to wake me up during some of my best sleep time. He either wanted to play, go outside or just talk. Also, Herbie would lovingly and tenderly “chew” on my finger to wake me up. This ritual interrupted my sleep cycle and caused much frustration for me. I needed to sleep! His disturbing routine resulted in many baggy eyes and sluggish days for me.

At times when this would happen I would grab a pillow and throw it – however, even this didn’t work. He managed to outsmart me and would just jump off the bed and stand afar protesting with what seemed like an even louder meowing. By this time my frustration level was very high and I was resenting Herbie’s tactics. I found myself even considering some options that would have been displeasing to the Lord! And I confess I hollered at him several times as well.

These reactions were out of character for me because I love animals and despite all the disturbances I still loved my cat. I just had to figure out a way to halt Herbie’s nightly antics. Finally, after many sleepless nights, and at the end of my patience, I tried something new.

I decided to put Herbie’s bed in my walk-in closet and barricade him from my bedroom. Well, the first few nights he was very upset and neither one of us slept very well due to his crying. But breakthrough eventually came. Herbie soon resigned to his new environment and began to enjoy the closet’s cave-like atmosphere. Victory at last!

Now, every night when it’s my bedtime we have this cute routine. I call him into the room and say, “Herbie, it’s time to go to bed, Go to bed now…Good night, Herbie! Love you!”—and invariably he obediently turns and goes into the closet on his own!! It is really funny to watch him do this – he is so smart!

Isn’t that the way it should be with all of us as God’s children? God calls us every night to rest in Him and what He promises, He delivers! Yet we still struggle with harassing thoughts, worrying about things to come or some bad experience that occurred that day. Often we are frenzied, driven by fear, anxiety, or the pursuit of money. And, some may have jobs that are very demanding and require an extreme amount of hours. Long work hours and stressful job requirements often affect one’s ability to sleep.

Recently I heard an alarming statistic. A well-known doctor on television was saying that last year (2012) in America alone over 60 million prescriptions were written for sleep problems!! “Downers” are being used to go to sleep and “uppers” are used to wake up from too little sleep! I have to confess I struggled with sleep issues for many years being a single mom, working extensive hours and then trying to quiet myself enough to rest. Although I didn’t take medication for my sleeplessness, I often would cry myself to sleep due to exhaustion and the concerns of life.

Have you also had nights when you tossed and turned for hours wanting to sleep so badly but not being able to settle down? Well, you are not alone! Most of us have experienced sleep challenges during some period in our life for various reasons.

Friends, I have discovered the solution for lack of rest is found in God’s Word and His promise of a wonderful sleep plan for all of us. I knew that as a Christian, Jesus was my example for every area of my life, including peaceful sleep. God is true to His Word. Jesus was tempted in every area yet He overcame. I knew that with God’s help I could too! It really boiled down to totally believing God and His Word and casting my cares upon Him. For those of you who have struggled with insomnia this will be a new way of dealing with this problem. It will require discipline, taking your thoughts captive and total surrender to the Lord.

Our Lord led a perfect life so let’s consider His lifestyle regarding restful sleep. Jesus never made decisions in response to the pressure tactics of others….He knew when to work and when to rest. In the midst of a tumultuous storm on the Sea of Galilee the disciples sweated and worried. But, what did Jesus do? He slept! Then in the Garden of Gethsemane the disciples slept, but Jesus sweated. Why the difference?

Come back next week for Part 2 and find the keys to a good night’s sleep.