"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 (NIV)
Are you sleeping well? Did you have a good night sleep?
Did you know that having peaceful sleep is a blessing? Peaceful sleep means that you have taken care of what you can; and, you have relinquished the daily issues and cares of this world to the only One who can dissolve your fears —God. However, for those of you who are struggling with peaceful slumber, here’s a thought:
Turn off the television.
The television, with its loud commercials, bad news, and concurrent episodes of murder, mayhem, and the mundane, penetrate your psyche and change the natural cycle of your dreams. Advertising executives originally developed television commercials to foster action, creating desire for their product, and the anxiety to purchase.
—None of which you will be doing in your sleep.
Turn off the music.
The music, even if it is your favorite song, actually does the same thing as the television commercials. However, they stimulate your senses a little differently. Since the music is your favorite music, the songs trigger a more overt
emotional reaction by prompting memories to the surface, not allowing your brain to rest or relax. This is why the best commercials are set to music. They correlate a product to a favorite memory increasing the anxiety to purchase. Again, no need to count sheep. —Just turn it off.
Turn off the lights.
Turning off the lights tells your brain you are ready to sleep. It allows your body to wind down, limiting external stimuli to your eyes and skin. It is one of the reasons we get so tired during the winter months; we do not receive enough light stimulation from the sun. Days are shorter, we are tired earlier.
So, close the drapes, and flip the switch.
Say your prayers.
Saying your prayers at bedtime is not just for children; and, it is not, “Now I lay me down to sleep...” Saying your prayers upon retiring signifies that you are relinquishing all your daily cares to God, acknowledging His blessings and sovereignty in your life. It is courageously accepting those things you can change, and enduring those things you cannot. Ask God's blessing for yourself, and those you love; ask for forgiveness for whatever you believe you have done against Him, yourself, and your fellow man. Then, close your eyes to the world and leave the rest to God. The Bible says, "...He offers sleep to those He loves." So, to you, —Sweet dreams and peaceful slumber. L.
Study Reference: Psalms 127:2
From:"Peaceful Slumber." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: esty
"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 (NIV)
Are you sleeping well? Did you have a good night sleep?
Did you know that having peaceful sleep is a blessing? Peaceful sleep means that you have taken care of what you can; and, you have relinquished the daily issues and cares of this world to the only One who can dissolve your fears —God. However, for those of you who are struggling with peaceful slumber, here’s a thought:
Turn off the television.
The television, with its loud commercials, bad news, and concurrent episodes of murder, mayhem, and the mundane, penetrate your psyche and change the natural cycle of your dreams. Advertising executives originally developed television commercials to foster action, creating desire for their product, and the anxiety to purchase.
—None of which you will be doing in your sleep.
Turn off the music.
The music, even if it is your favorite song, actually does the same thing as the television commercials. However, they stimulate your senses a little differently. Since the music is your favorite music, the songs trigger a more overt
emotional reaction by prompting memories to the surface, not allowing your brain to rest or relax. This is why the best commercials are set to music. They correlate a product to a favorite memory increasing the anxiety to purchase. Again, no need to count sheep. —Just turn it off.
Turn off the lights.
Turning off the lights tells your brain you are ready to sleep. It allows your body to wind down, limiting external stimuli to your eyes and skin. It is one of the reasons we get so tired during the winter months; we do not receive enough light stimulation from the sun. Days are shorter, we are tired earlier.
So, close the drapes, and flip the switch.
Say your prayers.
Saying your prayers at bedtime is not just for children; and, it is not, “Now I lay me down to sleep...” Saying your prayers upon retiring signifies that you are relinquishing all your daily cares to God, acknowledging His blessings and sovereignty in your life. It is courageously accepting those things you can change, and enduring those things you cannot. Ask God's blessing for yourself, and those you love; ask for forgiveness for whatever you believe you have done against Him, yourself, and your fellow man. Then, close your eyes to the world and leave the rest to God. The Bible says, "...He offers sleep to those He loves." So, to you, —Sweet dreams and peaceful slumber. L.
Study Reference: Psalms 127:2
From:"Peaceful Slumber." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: esty
RSS Feed
