Daily news updates. Home-schooling. Milestones and celebrations cancelled. Working from home. The list of life’s interruptions in the midst of our current crisis keeps growing. I’m trying to maintain a healthy routine, self-care and all that. But even with exercise, spending time in prayer, and eating right (for the most part,) I’m still struggling to get a good night’s sleep.
COVID-19 ushered in unexpected change beyond what we could’ve imagined. Those changes can affect our sleep patterns long before our heads hit the pillow at night. We can take wellness walks outside, cook a healthy meal, and even read our Bibles. But we still toss-and-turn instead of resting well. So what’s the answer? How can we enjoy a good night’s sleep amid this pandemic?
Each one of us faces a unique situation unlike anything we’ve faced before. And although this shared experience brings us closer together, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for finding rest in the midst of a crisis. Daily happenings at your house may look totally different than what you’d see in mine. Yet in all of this, one thing we can be certain of: God’s word remains true for all, and we will find the help we need when we focus on what the Bible says about sleep.
Let’s read the following 5 verses today as we seek God’s help to get a good night’s sleep amid COVID-19.
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5 Verses to for a Good Night’s Sleep during COVID-19
1. A Verse for Giving God Your Burdens
“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.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
As a Jesus-loving girl, I am drawn to people in need during tough times. I scroll through my newsfeed, looking for someone to help. Can I offer a hand with childcare? Cook a meal? Or stop by and visit? But with safety measures in place, I’ve found it difficult to help anyone. I feel like there’s nothing I can do, which results in a heavy burden.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines burdened as “heavily laden or encumbered.” Boy, can I relate! That’s why Jesus’ offer in Matthew 11:28-29 brings such sweet relief. He didn’t intend for us to carry a burden. He wants us to trust Him with it.
Reading this verse reminds us that as we come to Jesus in our weariness, He will restore our hearts and minds by offering rest for our souls. When that happens, our minds are opened to the many safe ways to help others through this difficult time. We can release the weight we carry to bed at night, replacing the heavy burden of helplessness with being the hands and feet of Jesus.
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2. A Verse for Peace in the Lord’s Safety
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)
Donning my homemade mask yesterday, I made a quick run to the store for the week’s groceries. As I turned the corner at the end of an aisle, I came too close to a woman just as she coughed. She covered her cough appropriately, but my mind still traversed. Am I less than six feet away? Is it just allergies? Should I go wash my hands? Anxious thoughts took over and stayed with me for the rest of my day.
If you’re like me, then maybe you too have become hyper-aware of others around you. It’s important for us to pay attention to our surroundings and practice safe-distancing. But if we’re not careful, we can also fall into the trap of worrying about things beyond our control. Instead of wondering if the people around me are doing the right things, I can memorize this peace-giving Psalm. The Lord alone can make me “dwell in safety.”
Sometimes I catch my mind running amok with what-ifs. With two adult children working essential jobs, out-of-control thoughts threaten me daily. We need to turn our attention away from the actions of others and toward the peace only God gives. When we do our part and trust Him to keep us safe, sleep will come more easily.
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3. A Verse for Guarded Hearts and Minds
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Nighttime is the worst time for me when it comes to anxiousness. It seems the stillness allows my mind to awaken and do its thing. I’ll rehash conversations, remember a chore I didn’t do, or think ahead to tomorrow’s to-do list. I forget that God’s word says, “tomorrow has enough worries of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
Turning off my thoughts at night is a work-in-progress, not a one-time thing. I need to be armed with an arsenal of Scripture in order to cover those thoughts with peace. Philippians 4:6-7 is my all-time favorite passage for recalling the power God has over anxious thoughts. I love the visual of God’s angel army standing guard over my heart and mind! As I focus on that image, my whole body relaxes. So next time you’re tempted to rehash the woes of the day, try rehearsing this verse. God’s peace may be just what you need to bring on a good night’s rest.
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4. A Verse for Resting in God’s Shelter
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)
Psalm 91 may be the most frequently quoted chapter through this outbreak. Words like verse 10 that proclaim, “no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent” bring comfort with something as ugly as the coronavirus lurking around. So as we seek encouragement from this chapter during these uncertain times, let’s memorize verse one. God’s promises begin as we choose to dwell in Him.
We pray every day for our kids, husbands, and families. We ask for protection over our churches and friends. But with the chaos each new hour brings, are we forgetting to invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in our homes and hearts?
I for one can get caught up in taking care of day-to-day things and forget the peace, joy, and love of simply abiding in God. To dwell means to abide or remain in something. Or in this case, Someone. We will feel a noticeable difference in our homes when we remember to whisper these words every morning, “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here.” The comfort of God’s Spirit provides an atmosphere where we can discover peaceful rest at night.
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5. A Verse for Welcoming God’s Rest
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:9-10)
While some get a reprieve from driving to the office, others are exhausted from working overtime. While the unemployed face financial strain, those still at work face health dangers at their essential jobs. We try hard to empathize with our neighbors but also agonize over what the future holds for ourselves and our families.
There’s something remarkable about knowing God understands what we’re going through. He knew what it meant to engage in important work, and He also showed us the importance of rest. “For everything there is a season…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) And whether this is your season to work or rest, we can all find peace in knowing God provides a time for both.
God knows our hearts and our desire for peaceful sleep. Isaiah 53:4 says, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,” and because of this we can rest in His love for us. So let’s move forward with doing the right thing, holding onto healthy habits as much as is humanly possible right now. But let’s also add these verses to our daily routine, whatever that looks like for us. God’s word provides the best answer for helping to ensure a good night’s sleep.
For more on trading worry for peace, check out Kristine’s free printable, 5 Verses for When You Wake Up Feeling the Weight of Life’s Struggles. Author Kristine Brown shares how to “become more than yourself through God’s Word” at her website, kristinebrown.net. Find out more by following her on Facebook.
Kristine Brown is a communicator at heart, sharing insight with her readers in relatable ways. Her life experiences serve as a backdrop for her lessons that highlight God’s powerful Word and redemptive grace. She is the author of the book, Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan, and founder of the non-profit organization, More Than Yourself, Inc. Read Kristine’s weekly devotions at kristinebrown.net or connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Originally published Wednesday, 22 April 2020.
