Do You Get Enough Sleep?

I think you would agree that we live in a culture in which working “’round the clock,” as we call it, is something of a badge of honor. Those who “burn the candle at both ends” and say, “I only need a few hours of sleep,” are looked up to as if they are some sort of super hero. But is that the way it is supposed to be? Is that what God intended for our lives? Is that how God designed our bodies to work? 

The more I’ve dived into the fitness world, the more I’ve learned about the importance of a good night’s sleep—which is usually defined as seven to eight hours of good sleep. It’s during sleep that our bodies recover from not only that day’s run or workout, but most importantly from the stresses and strains of what has often been a busy day. During sleep, our bodies heal and build and get back to where they are supposed to be so that the next day we can function at our highest capacity. Just ask any sleep-deprived parent of a newborn what happens when one loses too much sleep! I believe God designed us to not only work hard—and play hard—but as well to rest hard. 

Unfortunately, many people have bought into the thought that sleep is a waste of time. They think, in order to be successful and secure their future they’ve got to keep working “’round the clock.” Others get so busy that they fail to discipline themselves and schedule in their sleep. Then there are the many who are losing sleep because of an addiction to that little device they hold in their hand as they scroll and scroll for hours on end, late into the night. Worst of all, is the fact that many of us lose sleep due to worry and anxiety over our future and the things that are taking place in our lives and in the world around us. 

In Psalm 127, the Psalmist writes about those who are working hard in order to make a life for themselves. He reminds us, if God is not involved in what we do, we “labor in vain.” (vs. 1). And then he writes, “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.” (Psalm 127:2 – NIV)  Elsewhere we read, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.” (Psalm 3:1) And I love the way David put it when he wrote of God as his Shepherd, “He makes me lie down in green pasture, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:2)  

To be honest, there have been times when I have not gotten the sleep my body needs. Sometimes it’s been because of a lack of discipline. More often it’s been because of worry, anxiety, and a million thoughts running through my head. Like you, I need to remind myself not only of the importance of working hard and staying active, but of the importance of rest and sleep.  After all, it is God who has built within us the need for sleep. And if we will trust him with our lives, allowing him to shepherd us through life, we will find the rest and the sleep that we truly need. After all, “he grants sleep to those he loves.” 

Have a great day…and get a good night’s sleep! Your body and soul need it! 

- Pastor Tim Harris 

*Thanks Anthony Baklouk of Baklouk Training for reminding me about the importance of sleep!