Devotion to do when you can't sleep

When you can't sleep
In times of anxiety, when you cannot find peace of mind or rest in the body, you can turn to Jesus.

The LORD replied, "My presence will come with you and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14 (NIV)

I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I keep waking up in the wee hours of the morning, long before I have to get up to go to work. My mind starts racing. I worry. I solve the problems. I turn and turn. And finally, exhausted, I get up. The other morning, I woke up at four to hear the garbage truck rumbling along our street. Realizing that we had forgotten to eliminate the separate collection, I got out of bed, putting on the first pair of shoes I found. I walked out the door and grabbed the giant recycling can. On tiptoe on our way to the street, I misjudged my step and rolled my ankle. Bad. One second, I was taking out the trash. . . the next I was lying among our wood and lavender shavings, looking at the stars. I thought, I should have stayed in bed. I should have.

Rest can be an elusive thing. The stress of family dynamics can keep us awake at night. Financial difficulties and pressures at work can rob us of our peace. But when we let our worries overtake us, it rarely ends well. We end up running out. . . sometimes arranged in the lavender bush. We need rest to function and heal. In those anxious moments when it seems like we can't find peace of mind or rest in the body, we can turn to Jesus. When we give him our worries, we can find rest. Jesus is with us. It takes care of us body, mind and spirit. He makes us lie down on green pastures. It leads us along calm waters. Restore our souls.

Step of faith: take a moment to close your eyes, knowing that Jesus is there with you. Share your worries with Him. Know that He will take care of them and restore your soul.