Sleep, Oh for Restful Sleep

It doesn't have to be elusive

Psalm 4:8 (NASB)

In peace, I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.

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Who knew that sleep was such a complicated activity?

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), established in 1975, is a professional society dedicated exclusively to sleep medicine, focusing on sleep disorders and circadian rhythms. It operates independently, accrediting sleep facilities for sleep studies, and offers a variety of solutions, from supplements and oral devices to surgery, to help people who struggle to achieve better sleep health.

While ENT specialists may treat sleep-related conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea due to anatomical issues, sleep medicine encompasses a broader, multidisciplinary field. Certification in sleep medicine is achieved after completing a residency in internal medicine, family medicine, pulmonology, neurology, or as an ENT, followed by a one-year fellowship in sleep medicine.

Many of us lie down but don’t sleep. Rest for our body is fleeting, and restoration of our mind doesn’t come. It’s not just about closing our eyes; it’s about turning off the endless chatter in our minds. We are constantly pulled into the world’s noise, worries, and unrelenting demands. Psalm 4:8 invites us to let go and place our burdens into the hands of a loving Father.

If your nights are restless, if your sleep comes it fits and starts – or not at all, know that you're not alone. Approximately 12% of Americans have been diagnosed with chronic insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep at least three times per week for three months or longer. They carry their worries to their pillow, hearts and minds still racing from the day.

But the Lord doesn’t expect us to resolve all of life’s demands before we close our eyes. He asks us to come to Him, to hand over what we can't carry. And the longer we carry our burdens before handing them over to Him to carry, the heavier they become. The One who never slumbers watches over us—protecting, comforting, surrounding us with His love. You are not alone in the dark. You are not forgotten in the night. Let go of the outcomes you have no control over anyway.

“For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

That phrase reminds us that it’s not people, circumstances, or even our own strength that gives us security—it comes from leaning on our God. He is our shelter, our refuge, and our safe place. When your body is tense and your mind is racing, whisper His name. Ask Him to quiet you with His love, like a parent gently rocking their child to sleep. The same God who spoke peace over the storm can speak peace over your circumstances, allowing you to sleep.

So, as you prepare for sleep tonight, start by releasing the item that worries you the most into His hands by saying, “Lord, I trust You to hold me while I sleep. Give me Your peace—the kind that passes all understanding.” May He bless you with deep, healing sleep, and a quiet knowing that you are deeply loved.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Father God, I come to You weary. My body is exhausted, but my mind is restless. I long for the kind of peace David wrote about—the kind that allows me to lie down and truly sleep, knowing I am safe in Your arms. You alone, Lord, are my protector. You see the things that trouble my heart, the thoughts that swirl when the lights go out, the concerns I can’t seem to let go of.

But tonight, I choose to trust You. I place these burdens into Your capable hands, not because I’m strong enough to let go, but because You are strong enough to hold me. Wrap me in Your peace. Quiet my spirit with Your presence. I don’t need all the answers—I just need to know You are near.

Lord, I breathe deeply and release this day and these worries into You. You give sleep to those You love, and I know that includes me. Thank You for being my refuge, my healer, my peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.