This isn't to say that there aren't times that for physical, emotional, or other reasons we won't ever have a restless night of sleeplessness, only that we can seek him and find comfort that will lead us to that sweet sleep that we seek. When worries or anxiety weigh us down, we can seek God's wisdom, and entrust our circumstances to Him. Sometimes what's "eating at us" is obvious, and at other times there may be feelings or situations that we "tuck away" or deny until we have that quiet space to sort them out. Whatever the reason for our restlessness, as we trust the Lord with all our heart, we will move closer to a place of peace.
I was having trouble sleeping the other night which is not all that uncommon with me. It seems to mostly be just that "stage of life" for me. As I sometimes do, I went to the home page of my NIV 50th Anniversary Bible App. and read through the various devotions until one resonated with me, Psalm 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower, the righteous run to it and are safe."
To settle my mind, to shut down my thoughts, to hopefully take me back to sleep, I started to make a list of the names of the Lord. As I wrote Prince of Peace, I tried to breathe in the peace only He can give. When my thoughts went to Alpha and Omega, I was reminded that Jesus was present at the beginning and will remain until the end. As one of my friends often says, none of "this" takes God by surprise." Whatever we are going through, the Lord already knew was coming and He will be there until we work through it. He is a wonderful counselor able to guide us and give us wisdom to deal with any situation we may have to deal with. The Lord is Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Healer, Good Shephard, Redeemer, and Jehovah-Jirah, my provider...so many names. And each name opens a new door, a new glimpse into the fullness of God. Emmanuel, God with us, I Am, Yahweh, and Psalm 32:7 "You are my Hiding Place".
Every name opens another aspect of all He is and can be when we slow down, open up, and focus on Him. For me, writing and listening to worship music draws me to that place. It takes me to a place of remembering all that He has brought me through and the work that He continues to do in me, my family and so many others.
During these early morning hours, I listened to my "Old School" playlist of songs that began the change in many churches from hymns to more contemporary worship music, from hymns that sing about God to worship choruses that sing to Him. In my experience that began with various songs from Integrity Music, many of which focus on the names of the Lord.
"I Am the God that Healeth Thee"
"Like a Shephard"
"Jehovah-Jireh"
"What a Mighty God We Serve"
"Hiding Place"
What songs/genre minister(s) to you and take you to that place of peace?
Hymns? Worship songs? Contemporary Christian? Country Gospel?
What names of God bring you comfort?
Too often we numb our minds with activity, work, television, and social media. We need to be purposeful to also take time to quiet our minds and feed our spirit by meditating on the Word of God, the names of God which illustrate His character, and let some "good music" take us down the path of peace that leads to His presence...and to sweet sleep when we settle in for the night.