QUIET TIME: SLEEP
Aside from Prayer and good counsel, Sleep is another way to overcome stress and anxiety. Sometimes when we face stressful situations, rather than act out irrationally, it’s best to sleep and then wake up and make a decision. There are man in the Bible who’s response to tough situations was first sleep.
Benefits of Sleep in times of stress and anxiety:
1. Sleep calms you in order to better react to the situation.
Matthew 8:23-27
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
In the midst of a tumultuous journey, Jesus Christ was asleep. Jesus Christ did not wake up and start panicking. In fact, what he received from his sleep, which was calmness, is what he gave to the situation..
Matthew 8:26 Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Sleep calms you and allows you to have a proper respond to a tumultuous situation. Learn to just go to sleep or take a nap in times when you hear bad news. Do not overreact. Sleep is also a kind of medicine!
2. Sleep can bring about divine understanding, divine instruction and divine direction
Joseph, after hearing the shocking news that his fiancé whom he loved dearly was pregnant, was SHOCKED! That is because it wasn’t his baby! In fact when he met Mary, Mary had told him how she was a virgin and I’m sure their relationship was very pure. But now this news! How could Mary betray him like this? Joseph was puzzled and after thinking and thinking about what to do he fell asleep. Through his sleep, he received divine understanding, divine instructions, and divine directions on what to do concerning the situation.
Joseph receives divine understanding about Mary’s pregnancy:
Matthew 1:20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Another way to also think is to simply sleep. As Joseph was thinking about Mary’s surprise news to him of a baby that wasn’t his, he had a dream. This means he fell asleep while thinking and an angel appeared unto him in a dream and confirmed what was happening and gave him divine understanding that truly, Mary is pregnant by the Holy Ghost.
The Wise Men receive divine instruction through a dream:
Matthew 2:12
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Through a dream, he wise men received a divine instruction- a warning. They were warned not to return back to Herod. It was a direct instruction from heaven- don’t do this.
Joseph Receives Divine Direction through a dream:
Matthew 2:13
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Through a dream Joseph received divine direction on what to do and where to go. He was directed to flee to Egypt and was directed to stay there until he received a word from the angel. Joseph was divinely navigating this new circumstance of having a baby through dreams that came from him simply sleeping rather than worrying about what to do. God was directing Joseph through dreams as he slept!
After sometime of living in Egypt, another dream came to Joseph to return back to Israel.
Matthew 2:19-20
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
3. Sleep provides rest & refreshing so that you can think properly about the situation.
Psalms 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Sleep is like saying pause to the situation. When you sleep, you receive rest and are refreshed. The Psalmist says he will lay down in peace and SLEEP! Why? Because God makes him dwell in safety.
Next time you hear bad news or are stressed and depressed, rather than letting your kind wonder and being in distress, say a prayer and simply go to sleep. You will be surprised at how God answers your questions and gives you divine instructions, divine understanding and divine directions through dreams. As you sleep and hope in the Lord, you show him that you have faith in Him and trust His plan and hand in your life.
After all, Jesus has commanded us not to worry. So next time worry wants to overcome you, just simply take a naps
What Science has shown:
Studies have shown that getting enough quality sleep improves concentration, mood, ability to function and alertness. It strengthens the immune system and reduces stress levels, and keeps blood pressure and cardiovascular levels in check. Your problem is not that you are not capable or cannot tackle that situation, you just need some sleep bro.