Sleeping through the storms in life

A solid 8-10 hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep is required for optimal health and well-being.  Unfortunately, most people do not get enough zzzzzzzzz's.  The National Sleep Foundation reports that nearly 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders and an estimated 60% of people say that they have trouble sleeping one or more nights a week.  This is no trivial matter.  The adverse effects of missed sleep go beyond fighting through the morning fog while clutching a Starbucks’ Trenta.  Negative health illnesses include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.  There are also emotional and cognitive problems associated with sleep loss that diminishes quality of life and happiness.

It’s no wonder why our quality of life is suffering – we are sleep deprived.

So why are so many people reporting sleep problems today?  Part of the answer has to do with “stress.”  We live in a stressful world and the cares of the day and worries about tomorrow keep us from falling asleep quickly and achieving deep sleep.  Stressful thoughts even invade our dream life causing even greater fear and anxiety!  Many people consumed with worry are awakened in panic and have trouble falling back to sleep beacuse their hearts and minds are racing. 

Despite the many worries and concerns many of us face, it is possible to get a good night’s sleep.  The key is perspective.  People who have a happy, optimistic disposition experience better sleep.  However, unhappy, less-optimistic people generally report mild to severe sleep problems.  It has little to do with our actual circumstances and more to do with how we perceive them.  Here is a great story that illustrates this point::

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples.  Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.; The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”  Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:23-26)

Note that Jesus and the others were on the same boat and experienced the same set of circumstances.   Yet Jesus had little trouble sleeping.  His faith enabled him to sleep through the storm.  He was confident that everything was going to be okay.  Conversely, the others on the boat were stricken with fear and shouted, “We’re going to drown!”  Their lack of faith resulted in unrest and great anxiety.  They did not have peace and therefore could not sleep. 

You may not be on a boat, but chances are you are facing great storms in your life that prevent you from sleeping at night.  You may be consumed with worry and believe you are about to drown under the mounting pressure.  Changing your perspective may help you find peace and ultimately restful sleep.  The great news is that you can do this without using sleep aids, drugs, or alcohol!

How do you change your perspective and view your situation differently?  To begin with, don't automatically assume the worst possible scenario.  The disciples above, for example, did exactly that – they believed that they would ultimately drown in the storm.   Their reaction is not uncommon.  Rather than looking at a problem optimistically, we immediately jump to the worst possible conclusion imaginable.  We can even come up with unlikely scenarios that are completely unrealistic and allow those thoughts to cause even greater fear and anxiety.  Dismiss those thoughts immediately before they result in panic.

Next, come up with at least 5 scenarios that are less dramatic and possibly even beneficial.  Yes, even bad circumstances can end in a positive, beneficial way! Turn your thoughts from pessismism to optimism.  This won't be easy and will take some practice on your part.  Remember, studies show that optimistic, happy people really do sleep better at night.  

Additionally, have faith that God is with you.  During the storm, Jesus said:  “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”  Faith and fear are mutually exclusive.  Faith builds confidence and optimism.  Jesus asked his disciples to trust him.  He loved them dearly and was not going to let anything happen to them that night.  In fact, he got up and rebuked the storm and calmed the winds to help alleviate their fears.  He will do the same for you during your time of trial.  This is precisely why he said,  I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). 

Yes, you can sleep well tonight because God is with you always.  He is in the boat and he WILL calm the storms in your life.  Count on it!