November 9, 2015

prescriptionSometimes a person just cannot get to sleep. It is near 1:00 a.m. and I tried trying doing something really exciting to help put me out. I paid bills. Nope, it didn’t work so here I am sitting at my computer typing out a note to you.

Sleeplessness has many causes: a person who is worried about going on a trip, starting a new job, working on a big project, studying for a test, a bitter spirit full of angry energy, a broken heart, a guilty conscience, illness, a crying baby, a loved one dying, a reaction to medication, financial worries, and I am sure you could add to this list. Some of the above are through no fault of our own. Though the ones related to worry or sin are.

I believe the reason I cannot sleep tonight is because of the meds I am on for bronchitis. The doc gave me a steroid which sure helps with the breathing but is not making me sleep very well. So after tying myself up twisting in my blankets for a couple of hours and not wanting to disturb my wife, I got up and thought I may as well get a jump on tomorrow or rather it is already today. Actually, I am feeling pretty good. Probably an artificial energy generated from Prednisone which will catch up with me later.

Here is a prescription from the Bible I like to give to folks who love the Lord but who are in the mental and emotional turmoil of something which is bigger than them. When our mind is fixated upon a problem which is troubling, it is time to do something constructive with that negative energy.

Philippians 4:6-7  6“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Paul is teaching us to turn our anxiety into prayer and supplication with a thankful expectation the good Lord will deal with the ‘everythings’ too big for us to carry. Peace can be had in our time of distress by prayer if we have faith to believe in and act, to take our problems to a God who has promised to do something about them. A peace which passes understanding is predicated upon a God we believe is bigger than the circumstances we find ourselves in.

There was a time when this saying was popular on bumper stickers. “Let go and let God.” I would say it a little differently. I would say, “Let go and hang onto God.” God’s word would say it this way:

Psalm 46:10a “Be still, and know that I am God:”

I recommend the whole Psalm for your consideration. We serve a big God who loves us no matter what stew we find ourselves in or how much we choose to simmer in the pot.

Psalm 127:2 “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”

Yawn yawning

and Love in Christ,

Pastor John Schofield