I'll give you rest

 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for those who have trouble sleeping, whether it's chronic insomnia or a temporary condition. Pray that they are able to let go of anxiety and fear. Pray that they are able to find peace and assurance in Jesus.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #insomnia #sleep #fear #anxiety

God never sleeps

 

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:3-4 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for those who have trouble sleeping, whether it's chronic insomnia or a temporary condition. Pray that they are able to let go of anxiety and fear. Pray that they are able to find peace and assurance in Jesus.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #insomnia #sleep #fear #anxiety

Sleep of a laborer

 

I read some commentary on today's bible verse and it has to do with anxiety; unfortunately, I believe Soloman may have been out of touch with the plight of the "laborer" if he thought that the workers had less to worry about than the rich, and therefore slept better. Maybe it was true in his day. I don't know. I do know that I was poor most of my adult life and was just as anxious (if not more anxious) than I am now. Not that I'm rich, but I'm a lot more "comfortable" economically than I used to be.
     Whatever causes our anxiety or whatever keeps us from sleep, we need to make an effort to work it out. Talk to God. Let go of what's troubling us and put our faith in Him, 100%, that He will take care of everything.

Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, 

but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for those who have trouble sleeping, whether it's chronic insomnia or a temporary condition. Pray that they are able to let go of anxiety and fear. Pray that they are able to find peace and assurance in Jesus.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #insomnia #sleep #fear #anxiety

I awoke

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.

Psalm 3:5 ESV 

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Please join me this week in praying for those who have trouble sleeping, whether it's chronic insomnia or a temporary condition. Pray that they are able to let go of anxiety and fear. Pray that they are able to find peace and assurance in Jesus.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #insomnia #sleep #fear #anxiety #Psalms

 

Bread of anxious toil

 

After I posted Monday, I thought it probably doesn't make sense to a lot of people what 'fear of not sleeping' looks like, so I thought I should explain...by that time I'd given up all hope (and effort) of falling asleep on my own. It had been years and years of trying anything and everything to fall asleep and stay asleep, so at some point, I just started taking sleeping pills every night. The first few years I took prescription medication (only half a pill), but then they (the medical profession) discovered that this wasn't the non-addictive, non-side-effect wonder-drug that they thought it was. So my doctor started pressing me to go off of the medicine. Eventually, I did and switched to over-the-counter just so I didn't have to hear about it every time I saw him. The problem was that even half a pill seem to leave me excessively tired the next morning, so I had to quit taking them.

     I still had the problem of anticipating that I wouldn't/couldn't fall asleep, and most nights

not being able to quiet my mind enough to sleep anyway. Anyone who's ever had a rough night knows how it affects the next day. Imagine every day being like that. I couldn't do it on my own. I needed help. 

     I talked with my therapist about it. She's really good about pointing out, "what's the worst that could happen if...?" So, what if I didn't read the news right before bed? Would it still be there in the morning? What's the worst that could happen if I didn't take work home with me? What's the worst that could happen if I gave all of my anxieties over to God?

     I worked on those things and also combined different non-medicine "tricks" that I had tried over the past several years to create a sort of bedtime routine. I cut off devices an hour before bed, went to bed and woke up at about the same time every day, etc. But, ultimately what I think really helped was letting go of that anxiety, that anticipation or expectation that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. I put God in charge and "rested" in His sovereignty. The last 30 to 60 minutes before bed is now spent with Him, reading His word, and praying.

     Secondly, I downloaded an app called Insight Timer. There are two pieces that I listen to, alternating them each night: "Delta Waves & Oceanic Sounds for Deep Rest" by Lotusopus and "Deep Sleep Music - 1.5Hz Binaural Beats for Sleep" by Aaron Darrell. There are several more, but these work for me. They run for almost an hour each but I hardly ever hear the end of the music. If you don't want to download the app, there is similar music available on YouTube.

     I hope this helps. The thing is, there's a really good chance that anxiety is the root cause of your/my insomnia so investigate what's behind that. Pray about it. Let go of that anxiety (I know that's easier said than done) and know that no amount of tossing and turning is going to solve the problems of the world. God will watch over you while you sleep. He is sovereign over all things, so let go. He's in charge, so let Him take care of you, watch over you, His child. 

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

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Please join me this week in praying for those who have trouble sleeping, whether it's chronic insomnia or a temporary condition. Pray that they are able to let go of anxiety and fear. Pray that they are able to find peace and assurance in Jesus.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #insomnia #sleep #fear #anxiety #Psalms

Safe through the night

 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; 

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8 ESV

Please pray for M.S. who has chronic insomnia, and for R.S. who has intermittent trouble sleeping. If you know of anyone else suffering from this, please let me know their initials, and I'll add them to the list.

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Please join me this week in praying for those who have trouble sleeping, whether it's chronic insomnia or a temporary condition. Pray that they are able to let go of anxiety and fear. Pray that they are able to find peace and assurance in Jesus.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #insomnia #sleep #fear #anxiety #Proverbs

Sweet sleep

 

Even during "normal" times, slumber can be a source of anxiety for many people. I've had trouble sleeping since 2001. My personal experience with insomnia has led to frustration, anger, more anxiety. I go to bed exhausted and then toss and turn all night, a million things racing through my mind. Even if I fall asleep, I wake up at some point during the night and have to start the process of trying to go back to sleep all over again.

     My therapist asked me (regarding sleep), "What's your fear?"

     I was a little indignant at the question, "There's no fear. I'm just afraid I won't be able to fall asleep."

     "That's fear, dear."

     "Oh."

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; 

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Proverbs 3:24 ESV

Please pray for M.S. who has chronic insomnia, and for R.S. who has intermittent trouble sleeping. If you know of anyone else suffering from this, please let me know their initials, and I'll add them to the list.

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Please join me this week in praying for those who have trouble sleeping, whether it's chronic insomnia or a temporary condition. Pray that they are able to let go of anxiety and fear. Pray that they are able to find peace and assurance in Jesus.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #insomnia #sleep #fear #anxiety #Proverbs

Ancient paths

I used to get frustrated when reading the Old Testament because these people just would not obey God! He provided for them, He spoke with them, He even traveled with them throughout the Exodus, yet they would not obey! It took years for me to see that the same was true of me. God provides for me, He speaks with me, and He even travels with me each and every day, whether I acknowledge His presence or not. He is just as much a part of our lives today as He was with the Israelites of old.
How often do we reject His wonderful gifts?

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; 

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” 

But you were unwilling,

Isaiah 30:15 ESV

Thus says the Lord:

“Stand in the ways and see,

And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,

And walk in it;

Then you will find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,

‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’

But they said, ‘We will not listen.’

Jeremiah 6:16-17 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for rest for the weary. Pray that they receive a peaceful heart and mind.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

I give you peace

One of the devotionals I'm reading is based on 'be still and know I am God...' and it pointed out that the bible mentions multiple times that Jesus went off and prayed. If it was important for Jesus to do, as the Son of the Living God, then it's surely even more important for us to do. We need to have that communication with the Father on a daily basis.
     Plus, think about it...our God allows us to talk to Him and He communicates back with us. Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed when I realize that He's answered me, my prayer directly. After all, who am I that I should have an audience with the Creator of all things? I'm nobody. Yet He takes the time to listen to me and He answers me. It's yet another gift He gives His children. We need to cherish that. He wants to hear from us.
     Through this communication with the Father, we can obtain peace. I feel like I have that (most of the time). This kind of peace is so wonderful, it's a relief from anxiety that I get when I give up all of the stress in my life to Him. I give them to Him and then I can just rest in the knowledge that He'll take care of it.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. 

Not as the world gives do I give to you. 

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for rest for the weary. Pray that they receive a peaceful heart and mind.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Peace be with you

For years I had trouble sleeping because my mind would not seem to shut off. I tried meditation, I followed all of the "rules" like no screentime within an hour before bed, (I can't remember the rest of them now), I even tried a self-hypnosis app. None of it worked. I don't know for certain, but it sure seemed like when I started being in the word every night and praying consistently that a lot of things changed for me. I can fall asleep on my own now and I just feel more at peace.
     Philippians 4:6 comes to mind so often but this morning I copied verse 7 also and a God thing just happened. I wrote that last sentence "...I just feel more at peace." and then I read verse 7: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,..." I didn't plan that. Maybe I'm not making any sense but I've been really stressed out this week and trying to get back to that peace. I even yelled at Satan the other day to "give it up" which seemed to help a lot! He was stealing my joy and I was sick of it.
     Peace be with you.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything 

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for rest for the weary. Pray that they receive a peaceful heart and mind.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

When pain prevents sleep

Some of my friends cannot sleep, cannot rest due to physical pain or illness. I was trying to find bible verses for them that tied in pain and rest and found these.
- Whenever I'm suffering, I always turn to Job. Nothing can compare to what he went through. Because of his pain, he couldn't possibly sleep.
- James tells us what to do when someone is sick.
- David finds he can rest in the midst of all he's going through because the Lord watches over him and protects him.
- There's a point when no matter what's keeping us from rest, we become so exhausted that our bodies say "enough" and we get that deep, restorative sleep that we need; even Jesus' human body had to give in to the exhaustion, so much so that He slept through a storm on the sea.

“And now my soul is poured out because of my plight;

The days of affliction take hold of me.

My bones are pierced in me at night,

And my gnawing pains take no rest.

Job 30:16-17 NKJV

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:14-16 ESV

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.

Psalm 3:5 ESV

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, 

but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Matthew 8:20 ESV

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, 

so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

Matthew 8:24 ESV

I don't know if this is helpful to my friends who are suffering, but just know that I am praying for you. May God give you rest.

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Please join me this week in praying for rest for the weary. Pray that they receive a peaceful heart and mind.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power