I’ve been battling with insomnia for the past few months. As I write this blog, I’m on my third day of not sleeping. As you can imagine, this weighs heavy on my faith and certainly affects my mental well-being. We are trying natural remedies as well as pharmaceuticals, but nothing has been very effective.
People tell me to read certain verses, pray specific prayers, listen to meditations, relax with Christian music, rebuke the devil, and on and on. Believe me, I’ve done all of these things, and I still can’t sleep at times.
In the beginning, I felt like a failure. Of all the things people were pushing me to do, I started thinking I wasn’t doing them right and so there was something wrong with my faith. Then I toyed with the idea that God was teaching me a lesson for some grievous sin I committed. I never came up with the sin and God never revealed it to me. I finally felt despair – that maybe God wasn’t listening to or protecting me.
Over the last few days, I realize I have learned some important lessons from this torturous insomnia; and even if I don’t sleep tonight, I am still in awe by how God showed these things to me, and then inspired me to write this blog post.
Lesson 1: During the day, I need to devour scriptures about God’s goodness.
I’ve decided that several times a day I’m going to stop what I’m doing and read Scripture that inspires me; or, I’m going to work on memorizing a Psalm or other verses that I can recite at night. If I spend the day reading news and negativity, then I can be saddled with sadness, anger, or a general heaviness in my heart. Whatever I allow my mind to consume, can affect my sleep.
Romans 8: 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the spirit is life and peace. Who doesn’t want life and peace? It’s so simple to do the right thing and live by the Spirit. On the other hand, it’s so lazy to do the wrong thing by not reading or praying and living by my flesh. Some days I consciously choose lazy and it definitely affects my spirituality, my faith, my mood, and my sleep. Running on flesh is exhausting.
Lesson 2: While I’m awake at night, I can pray.
Yes – I’m already praying about my sleep, but there are so many issues affecting this world at this time.
Ephesians 6:18 and pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, always be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lords people.
I pray for people that are seeking a relationship with God. I pray for those that are suffering with addiction, depression, broken relationships, and broken hopes and dreams. I pray for those in leadership positions – our government, church leaders, parents, and mentors. I pray for the brothers and sisters in my fellowship and those around the world. I pray that we all stand up for righteousness and help the oppressed and the needy. There is an endless list of prayer needs.
Lesson 3: I need to live as a conqueror, not a quitter.
Romans 8: 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Even though I can’t sleep at night, I still have my aides put me in my wheelchair every day. It’s better for me to be up and mobile than trapped in my bed. Please don’t think I’m a hero. I do this to avoid anxiety attacks and feeling sorry for myself. It’s a terrible thing to be imprisoned in a bed and unable to move. I believe I need to face the day as if I had 10 hours of sleep, keeping busy and not complaining. Not only is this how a conqueror behaves, this is how you flee from the devil.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
I don’t know how long this season will last in my life, but I know trials are often a prerequisite for growth. If that is the truth for this time in my life, then I am grateful.
James 1: 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Amen.
Diary of a Quadriplegic 
Hi Teri. Glad to see you’re “fighting back” against your sleeplessness. May the Lord bless you richly and carry you through this current trial.
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Thank you. It’s a day-to-day fight to choose spirit over flesh.
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Oops, Terri. Sorry about the misspelling.
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Mary and I can relate, Terri. Insomnia is horrible! Mary and I will be praying for you.
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I bet you can. It’s awful. Thanks for your prayers.
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Praying for you Terri. I had to take TylenolPM for quite a long time because I was unable to sleep. Insomnia is horrible and I hope you will get relief from it soon!
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Thank you, Crystal.
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Terri, You are one of God’s chosen warriors for a time such as this. During those midnight hours, when the majority are resting or sleeping, perhaps Holy Spirit as selected you to battle the enemies of men and women’s souls, as those are the hours when the enemy really attacks minds and spirits.
Our Lord Jesus spent many nights alone, praying to His Heavenly Father, on His own, for many.
As you pray for those in government, other leaders, church leaders, some suffering addiction, broken relationships, and many other struggles, you are in company with “The Intercessory”, our Lord Jesus Christ, Messiah, Redeemer, Saviour.
God Bless you Terri. Thank you for blessing many.
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Hi George! You are such a blessing to me. You don’t know how much I value the hope and encouragement you give me so often. Thank you for always reading my blog and taking the time to boost my faith during my weakest times.
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Good points brother George!
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I like your quote from Romans 8. It’s my favorite chapter of the New Testament, and I think it would be a great one to memorize and go over in your mind as you go to sleep. It starts with telling us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, and ends with the beautiful passage about “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? …” [Nobody. Nothing.]
Blessings,
Annie
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I agree with you, Annie. Thanks for reading my blog.
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Dear sister Terri, I have struggled with insomnia since a toddler ( a Dr put me on sleeping pills at 4 yrs old!) Without the boring details I can only say, I’m with you sister and I totally agree with this godly article. In fact, my last post on The Burning Lamp was during insomnia as the Lord pressed my heart to write.
Insomnia is maddening, I’d rather go without food. But I’m convinced that the Lord can confound the devil in these weak and frustrating moments. Press on dear sister!
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I plan to read it right now! Thank you, sister.
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Thank you for sharing Terri. Insomnia is a terrible thing. I also pray when I cant sleep or I thank God for different things. Will be praying for you Terri
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Terri, I have been experiencing the same thing. I know mine is a stress issued overwhelmed by the death of my mom last week and step-father 5 weeks before. They were divorce years ago but then reconciled and lived together these past 30 years. Complications with their Wills, dealing with attorneys and siblings – has made my nights long and sleepless. Quieting my mind and taming my thoughts has been difficult. I’ll take on your suggestions and focus more on being spiritual, than letting the devil get a foothold. As always, your words are encouraging and faithful. Hope you find sleep soon! Stay strong!
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Hi Terri. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I take my hat off to you for your strength through this trial. He said He would never leave us nor forsake us, so He is with you in your night waking hours. Isaiah 41:10 AMPC Praying for you.
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Thank you, Helen!
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Thank you for the post Ma’am.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
https://www.bible.com/116/rom.15.13.nlt
“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalms 103:13
https://www.bible.com/116/psa.103.13.nlt
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Beautiful Scriptures. Thank you.
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Nice blog
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