Having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Download Abide for Christian sleep meditations that use calming techniques and Scripture verses framed in calming stories to lull you into a peaceful slumber.
Whether or not I notice it throughout the day, it’s nighttime when I’m sure to find out if I’m stressed or overwhelmed about something going on in my life, or the lives of my loved ones. When I lie down, hoping for stress relief, all my worry piles up and I cannot stop my anxious thoughts.
On nights like these, it can be all too easy to let stress overwhelm me, which often causes my mind to spiral into negative or anxious thoughts. These thoughts leave me lying awake stressed and unable to sleep. In search of a restful night, I turn to faith and take comfort in the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Maybe you’ve been there too, stressed or anxious and hoping for a night of rest. If you find yourself in this unwanted situation, consider these four tips for turning to faith for a restful night.
Remember This Truth for Stress-relief Sleep
Tucked into the last verse of 1 Corinthians chapter two is a simple statement that can transform your sleepless nights. It says, “But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16b).
When you come to Jesus with your weariness and burdens, try to remember the truth that you don’t have to let the stressful thoughts take control of my mind. When you remember that you have the mind of Christ, you can then…
Take Your Thoughts Captive
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, emphasis mine).
It is a powerful thing to know that your thoughts don’t get to run rampant without your permission. Instead of giving in to the train of thought that leads you down the path of stress or anxiety, take that thought captive and instead…
Set Your Mind on Christ for Stress-relief Sleep
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).
Stressful and anxious thoughts will only lead to further sleeplessness. Christ invites you to think differently by turning your mind toward Him. If you’re wondering what it looks like to set your mind on the things that are above…
Think About These Things
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
One anxious or stressful thought at a time, replace it with something true, or pure, or admirable. Meditate on that thought instead. You might also like to pick a Scripture to memorize. When you find your stressful thoughts begin to take over, repeat that Scripture in your mind instead.
Listen to a short segment of this sleep story I wrote based on Colossians 3:15-17. Experience what it’s like to fall asleep dwelling in the peace of Christ and to get stress-relief sleep.
As you lie awake remember you have the mind of Christ. Deliberately choose to take your thoughts captive. Set your mind on the things above by thinking instead about the things of God. Remember the ways He is providing for you, even in the midst of your stress. And whether your sleeplessness comes from stress over a particular situation or simply an unexplained sleepless night, you can turn to your faith to find rest and relief while you wait for sleep to come.
For more stress-relief sleep help, check out the Abide app. Our 400+ Bible-based sleep stories all exist to help you experience the peace of Christ and get better rest. Use this link for 25% off a premium subscription, giving you access to all our sleep stories plus much more.
Gwen lives in Atlanta with her husband, Paul. She loves black coffee, a good novel, and is always looking for a new skill to try or adventure to take.
