When you are worrying at 3 AM how do you get back to a place of peace and sleep? Fiona shares.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Sounds simple and makes sense reading it–but it’s proved not so easy to put into practice.
Many nights I struggle to sleep–or pain makes it difficult–but more often lately, it seems anxiety also keeps me awake. Sometimes in my half-awake state, I know I’m exhausted from worrying about something–even if I can’t even remember what it is!
Over the years I’ve tried lots of things to divert me from whatever anxious thoughts I’m focussed on–but recently I’ve been using the time to pray for others. At least then I feel like I’m “doing something” that’s worthwhile with my time.
Many years ago, a psychologist told me that rather than just tossing and turning in bed, worrying about not sleeping, I should get up and do something. That’s not always practical because medication can make me dopey.
The Living Bible translation I was familiar with in my youth, says: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.”
Don’t worry about anything–pray about everything–God’s Word is clearly highlighting opposites for us. The NIV Study Bible notes: “Anxiety and prayer are two great opposing forces in Christian experience.”
I think I’ve got better at praying about everything and thanking God for answers–both good and not so good–but anxiety still seems to come. I know God’s got whatever I’m stressing about covered, so why do I keep falling into that trap?
Surely I should be able to remember His faithfulness in the past and cling to that for the present and the future.
In verse 7 Paul remind us if we do this, we will experience God’s peace–and no doubt peace will lead to a better night’s sleep.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the promise of Your peace if we will only leave our worries and concerns at Your feet instead of being anxious about them. We know it’s not always easy to do, so help us to fill our lives with more prayer and less anxiety, as we trust You more. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful that God walks each step of her life with her, and that He is teaching her new things as she learns to live with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to share those things with others. You can contact her in the Sunroom, or read more of her writing on her blog there.
Do you find yourself worrying too much? How can you intentionally pray more and worry less?
This is the song “Mountaintop” with City Harmonic. The lyrics speak of how even when our heart knows nothing is impossible for God, our head gets in the way and we start putting limits on Him and what He can do. But when we remember that we have seen His glory, we’ve seen how He has no limits, we can remember to put all our worries and concerns into His hands. I think you will like this group. The beat of the song makes you feel a small piece of the power behind our Lord. It reminds me of “Our God is an Awesome God” when crowds all sing along about His power. -Lisa
My dear Fiona – thank you so much for sharing this. It resonates with the way it seems God is showing me the vital importance of prayer in my life. I have those nighttime issues as well. Rather than complain, I’m trying to see the positives that arise. An opportunity to speak with my creator is certainly a reason for praise. Love, deni
Thanks deni – sometimes I wonder if God is using our wakefulness, to point out what else we can be doing with that time – then I think I must be pretty dumb, or slow getting the lesson I need to learn!
Certainly looking for and noting well, those positives, is helpful. I love the idea that it’s “an opportunity to speak with my creator” – thanks for that.
Praying for you – especially this week deni,
Blessings,
Fiona
Fiona, really like your process to battle the worries! Take those worries lay them down, pray to our Lord, who we know is faithful and listening, allow His peace to be that which washes over us. Calming us. Knowing only He can solve the problem at hand.
Worry doesn’t change it, but prayer, on the other hand does. And what’s even better is when we pray for others the focus on them allows us to let go and let God take over in our own life as well.
Such a good word today! Blessings dear friend! Di
Thanks Di, your comments are always so encouraging 🙂
I wish I could say that I always use this process, but I’m certainly trying to change to it being my first act. “Worry doesn’t change it, but prayer, on the other hand does. ” – how I need to keep that in mind!
Blessings,
Fiona
Thanks so much for writing this! God has been speaking to me about this very issue of worry, and the need to give it to him.
KG, God’s timing for these devotionals is so good isn’t it 😉
Know you are not alone in this battle.
Blessings,
Fiona
A constant message I need to read Fiona! Thanks 🙂
I was right with you straight away when I read: “Sounds simple and makes sense reading it–but it’s proved not so easy to put into practice.” Sooooo true!! I seem to keep coming back to learning this over & over again!
My first experience with sleeplessness was with my first child having teething problems & waking up to crying at top pitch 5-7 times per night for 7 weeks!! I barely slept & was not a great mum during that time! Praying for others, as I rocked my baby boy back to sleep over & over again, really helped me to realize that others were awake at night too & I could be praying for them. God’s peace would come & take over the frustrations when I allowed Him in! God is good. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Thanks for sharing your experience Kerryn 🙂
“When I allowed Him in” – YES – why don’t we just do that? You’d think with all the examples we can remember, we’d KNOW that worry should never be our first step – but that old “slow learners” again!
Blessings friend,
Fiona
YEP!! Better to be “slow learners” than not learning at all I guess! Though I’d like to remember what to do a LOT sooner!! 😉 Lotsoluv Kerryn