INSOMNIA
DEFINITION: Insomnia is difficulty in sleeping, an inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel properly rested.
FACTS ABOUT INSOMNIA:
There are varied causes for insomnia. Some common causes are illness, pain, certain medications, grief, worry, regret, a poor sleeping environment, or demonic torment. Caffeine and eating big meals before bedtime may also cause difficulty in sleeping.
Insomnia can be spiritual. The young Samuel was awakened by God to receive a divine revelation (1 Samuel 3:9-11). The Lord may wake you up to give you a revelation or to have you intercede for someone.
Much insomnia is caused by worry over the future or regret over the past. Real rest comes
when you believe God is sovereign over both the past and the future. Forget yesterdays, and do not fret about tomorrow.
Insomnia can be a faith crisis rather than a medical crisis. Sleep is actually the ultimate demonstration of faith where you release control to God as you rest in Him. You transition into a state where you are no longer trying to assert control and you leave all of your concerns in His hands.
The common treatment for insomnia is medication. Doctors prescribe sleeping aids, but this often does not get to the root of the problem. What is causing your insomnia?
DEALING WITH INSOMNIA:
Discover the root cause of your insomnia and deal with it.
-If it is due to illness or pain, seek healing from God and/or medical help.
-If the insomnia is caused by medication, ask the doctor to change the prescription.
-If you are worrying about the future or regretfully rehearsing the past–stop these thoughts the minute they enter your mind. Rebuke them in the name of Jesus!
-If you are fearful, know that the One who keeps watch over you never sleeps (Psalm 121:4).
-If you are wrestling with unforgiveness and bitterness, get rid of these. They not only will inhibit your sleep, they are sin!
-If you believe your insomnia is demonic, bind the spirit of sleeplessness and command it to go in the name of Jesus.
Prepare for sleep before you go to bed. Do not ingest caffeine or sugar-based treats right before bedtime. Do not eat a big meal right before going to bed. Do not deal with personal problems or bill-paying, watch stimulating programs on TV, or play video games. Listen to soft Christian music. Read a devotional book or the Bible. Prepare yourself for rest.
Create an environment conducive to sleep. Correct a poor sleeping environment. Turn off electronics and lights in the room. Make sure there is proper ventilation. If you are bothered by nearby noises, try running an electric fan to mask the sounds or playing recordings of soothing music or nature sounds. Some people opt for using earplugs.
Don’t medicate spiritual insomnia. What if Samuel had taken a sleeping pill and gone back to sleep? If you believe your insomnia is from the Lord, then pray for revelation or intercede as the Holy Spirit directs. This type of sleeplessness will not be tormenting or tiring. God will provide divine strength for any loss of sleep you experience.
Pray when you are ready to go to sleep. Ask God to give you a good night’s sleep. Jesus said to ask and you shall receive! James observed that you do not have because you do not ask (James 4:2). Claim biblical promises for sleep in the following list of references.
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT INSOMNIA:
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. (Psalm 3:5)
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. (Psalm 16:7)
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me…(Psalm 42:8)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat, for he grants sleep to those he loves. (Psalm 127:2)
… when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:12)
I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, “Open for me, my sister, my love, My dove, my perfect one… (Song of Solomon 5:2)
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31-34)
“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.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
