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I was a senior in college when I purchased my first smartphone. One of the first apps that caught my attention was a sleep tracker. I would place my phone face down on the corner of my bed and it would analyze everything: the time it took to fall asleep, the length of my REM cycles, and how long I slept each night. I wanted to see how well I was experiencing renewal from my sleep.
One morning, my phone pinged an alert from the app indicating that I had averaged less than five hours of sleep per night over the course of an entire month. I was attempting to maximize my final carefree college days with friends, on top of working and studying as I wrapped up my degree. It’s no wonder, however, that I was running on empty.
Sleep is intended to be an act of renewal and I was depriving my body, mind, and soul, of something it deeply needed. Join me in looking to Scripture for biblical examples of sleep’s promise of renewal.
Sleep As A Renewal Of Faith
“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” – Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
In this first passage, Jesus is the one sleeping. The experience of the disciples gives us a window into the concern and fear they felt in the middle of that storm. Their uncertainty is juxtaposed with the peace of Christ that enabled Him to lie asleep in the back of the boat. Sleep is a renewal of faith! You can trust that He’ll bring peace to your life, too.
Sleep As A Renewal Of Worship
“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)
When you lie down to sleep, you are engaging in an act of worship and trusting in sleep’s promise of renewal. This combination of humility and surrender is an act of worship as it acknowledges your limitations. When you lie down to sleep, you are admitting that you cannot do it all, and you’re expressing dependence on the One who can. Sleep is a renewal of worship as it causes you to surrender control and trust in the Lord, who does not need sleep, but keeps the world turning while you lie down each night.
Sleep As A Renewal Of Meditation
“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.” – Proverbs 6:20-22 (NIV)
The book of Proverbs is a collection of teachings on wisdom. In this passage, the author is urging the reader to hold tight to the Word of God. To have God’s Word as a bind on your heart and fastened around your neck is an act of meditation, and it comes with a promise. The teaching of His words will watch over you while you sleep. Meditation is an ideal way to pursue the renewal of your heart and mind.
Listen to a short segment of this sleep story from Abide based on Proverbs 2:6 with words of wisdom to fall asleep by.
Sleep restores your energy, your spirit, and your soul. Turn your affection to Christ and give Him thanks for sleep’s promise of renewal, and the way it can renew your direction, faith, and worship.
For more help to stress less and sleep better, check out the Abide app, where 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.
