PS 4:4, 8 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

Here we have the Biblical prescription for insomnia. There are some interesting differences in verse 4 between the NIV and the Japanese, but I don’t have the Hebrew resources at hand at the moment to know which is closer to the original. I rather like the NIV saying, “In your anger do not sin.” Ephesians 4:26 seems to quote this, and I would guess that this is how the Septuagint renders it, but the Japanese says, “Be fearfully submissive. Do not sin.” In either case, it carries the idea that we aren’t to let our emotions get the best of us. In the second half of the verse, the NIV says “search your hearts,” but the Japanese says “speak to your hearts.” Again, either way, the element of personal responsibility, of self control, is there. The key to that is in verse 8, and that is trust in the Lord. I would venture to say that virtually all insomnia (with the exception of jet lag, such things as caffeine, or physical problems) comes from an inability to release things to God in trust. I like the way the Japanese says, “I will lie down in peace and go to sleep quickly.” Most insomnia comes from being unable to “turn off our brains.” We worry things over in our minds, rehearsing them and considering possible outcomes, and that can drive sleep far from us. Whether good or bad, the future is in God’s hands. Getting that simple fact through our brains will free us to receive the rest, refreshing, and other blessings that God intends for us.

From what I’ve just written, it might seem that I have this whole insomnia thing down pat, but that’s not the case. However, I have learned from experience that what I have written is true. I certainly have an overactive brain at times, and that has indeed robbed me of sleep. However, I have found that when I lie quietly, asleep or not, and actively choose to trust God with each item, good or bad, thanking Him for His grace and His perfect solution to every situation, that “quiet” becomes “asleep” pretty quickly. Faith is immensely practical. When properly applied, it opens the door to countless blessings.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for enabling me to sleep last night in spite of both jet lag and a sore throat/cough. Thank You for waking me at a good time this morning to get going with the day, even though my time asleep wasn’t as long as I might have chosen. Help me rest, relax, and rejoice in You today, allowing Your strength to replace my weakness, both physical and every other kind, so that I may be fully useful to You in accomplishing Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!