Sleep is necessary for survival. Don't let anyone shame you for prioritizing it.
In typical American culture, we don't value sleep enough. That includes Christians: We blow right past scripture, carrying our double-caff latte and gladly nodding our head for scriptures like "Go to the ant, you sluggard!" (Proverbs 6:6) or "God gives strength to the weary..." (Isaiah 40:29) but missing other clear instructions like:
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:2 ESV)
"In peace I will lie down and rest, for you alone, Lord, make me to dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)
"I lie down and sleep; I wake again for the Lord sustains me." (Psalm 3:5)
Sometimes it's just life getting out of control. I suspect it's also sometimes letting people know we are important because we are busy.
On the one hand we don't need to be sluggards—which would be more like someone who regularly TV-binges than someone who simply gets the requisite amount of sleep. On the other hand, there's a clear implication that one of the main ways God provides strength for the weary is through good, restful sleep.
Sounds simple, right? But I can't tell you how many people tell me that they can't get to sleep (mind races), can't stay asleep (night disturbances), can't get back to sleep (after being disturbed), and so on.
There are tons of practical articles on how to help yourself get to sleep (limiting screen-time before bed, going to bed at the same time each night, etc.) but very few deal with the spiritual side of getting to sleep, staying asleep, and getting back to sleep after the inevitable disturbances.
Lately, I and my family have been through some crazy stuff—big projects for people I care about to a move into a new house to my husband losing his job. So, my normal sleep habits were disturbed and sleep was no longer coming quickly to me. Very odd for me, as anyone knows who knows me (or any Colver).
I asked God to show me what I needed to do. Here is what He showed me:
As I lay down, I pray—not a list, which would keep me up—but as things come to my mind. I gently acknowledge them, saying in my mind "__________ belongs to you, Lord Jesus." When I do it right, releasing it as I pray, knots untie in my stomach. My stomach literally loudly gurgles as it releases. (Maybe a little TMI...)
Some nights, I barely make it past my two kids, husband, and a project or two before I'm sound asleep. Other nights, it takes five minutes. I repeat the exercise if I'm awakened for any reason (which, with allergies and toddlers is every night) and it works again. Typically, I'm back asleep in minutes.
There are seasons in our lives where we may have to put our head down and survive on little sleep, but we should do so knowing that it should be a SHORT season and to take every opportunity to offset the lack of night sleep with naps or get back to what our bodies need. Without shame. Without feeling less-than because we don't accomplish as much as someone else. Without virtue-signaling that we're important because we are so busy.
For an obvious example consider a new mother feeding her infant. She's going to go without much sleep for at least 8 weeks and be closer to real insanity than at any other time in her life. The mothers should accept as much help as possible. This is where fathers and parents come in. And sisters. And babysitters. And house-keepers. And friends.
We should all work together to help the new parents get rest. It's practical. It's loving. We free them up as they work toward getting back to normal 8+ hours of sleep a night.
Congested toddlers. Allergies. Husband gone for a trip—all these things can be a short season of less-than-optimal sleep. Work, pressures, health, worries/anxieties, failures, possible failures, projects, dreams, hopes, future—these things should not keep us awake. They should all be surrendered to the God who already holds them.
(Not to mention, a good night's sleep burns more calories than most workouts.)
So, put up some boundaries, develop good sleep habits, and surrender the rest.
Grace gives us, His beloved, sleep.
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