Who else can’t sleep at night?

Startled awake by yet another nightmare, my body jolts into alertness. Each night, my subconscious paints vivid images, and my body wrestles as if they are real.

My heart races. Sleep feels impossible. I yearn to feel safe.  

When my flesh feels far from God’s promises, I have a choice. 

Focus on the darkness or choose to meditate on His truth. 

I choose truth. 

“He will keep in perfect peace…”

I remember the words of Isaiah 26:3, but I don’t feel peace. 

Desperately, I search my memory for the rest of the verse. 

“those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in Him.”

I don’t feel very “steadfast.” My thoughts are scattered and my body continues to tense. Do I trust Him now?

My mind drifts to Psalms 46.

“The Lord is my refuge and strength...” 

My refuge – my safety – this is His promise. 

“Be still and know that I am God…”

I close my eyes in the darkness, to quiet my mind. 

Create in me a pure heart, O Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

I begin to pray the words of the Psalms back to the Lord. 

Lord, still my heart. Cover me with your promised peace. When my mind wavers and my body is lost in the lies of darkness, renew a steadfast spirit within me. Help me to be still and know that you are God. This is the truth I want to cling to, not my feelings and fear but your promise and peace. Lord, meet me here. 

I know that you are God – my refuge and strength.

I repeat over and over until I drift off to sleep. 

His Truth steadies my soul and aligns my heart with His hope. 

Thoughts to Ponder:

• When you experience strong feelings like fear, how does your body and mind usually respond? 
• What truth in scripture can you intentionally return to the next time you feel the intensity of these feelings? 

Maybe combine a few truths from different verses and write them back to the Lord in the form of a prayer like I did while wrestling with nightmares. His Words cut through the darkness and hold power and hope!