Insomnia: The Miracle of the Mundane

   If you really study the miracles recorded in the Gospels you will quickly realize that Jesus did not use a protocol or formula. Sometimes He spoke and at His word someone was healed.  Other times he touched people to cure their disease.  On one occasion He used saliva and mixed it with dirt to cover a blind man’s eyes.  Believers sometimes have trouble believing that something is from God unless it involves the supernatural and the extraordinary.   But God can be in it—even through a natural means.  When it comes to sleep and rest, God can also use the natural and mundane—especially when it is internalized by faith.

 

   This graph which breaks down the causes of insomnia suggests that almost one-third of cases of insomnia are caused by poor behavioral habits.  Medicine calls this poor sleep hygiene.  In other words almost thirty percent of cases of insomnia can be relieved by healthy bedtime habits.    Perhaps there is a simple habit that God can enable you to change that can help you sleep better.  Here are some helpful sleep hygiene tips that may help you rest better. 

      

    

    1.      Establish a consistent bedtime rhythm—boring is good. 

    2.      Exercise daily—but not before bedtime.  Most studies show that people (especially women) who exercise in the early afternoon have better rest.

    3.      Avoid drinking a lot of fluids before bedtime (to prevent frequent trips to the bathroom). 

    4.      Do not eat right before bedtime—better to rest on an empty stomach. 

    5.      Never use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex with your spouse.   In other words, don’t do anything that would help your mind associate activity with bedtime (ie surfing the web, texting, paying bills).

    6. Avoid lights when you sleep--this stimulates your brain to wake up.

Here’s another little tidbit that may help you wake up more refreshed in the morning.  We cycle through different stages of sleep through the night that last about ninety minutes each.  If you awake during the deeper stages (REM) you can wake up tired.  If you wake to an alarm you want to time your wake up when you are cycling into the lighter stages of sleep.  Check out this clock to help you determine exactly when to go to bed:  http://sleepyti.me/wake/

FOR THE SLEEP DEPRIVED

HOWDY
Here's a great interview with Tonya Mandich at the Calvary Radio Network in the Great Lakes area.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F45278902%2FMixdown%2520of%2520Surrendered%2520Sleep%2520Part%2520I.wav&h=JAQE2zO7AAQEkoEHUKyrZr8wPyZpNsd8FQdUTlX-CsD6P7w

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45278902/FINAL%20Mixdown%20of%20Surrendered%20Sleep%20PART%20II.wav

Sleep Awareness Week-- A New Sleep Disorder?

"The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep."

— Ecclesiastes 5:12 (NIV)

A new sleep disorder has appeared on the horizon—affluenza. It is described as “the painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste, resulting from the dogged pursuit of more.” (Jon de Graaf—Affluenza: The All Consuming Epidemic. 2001) Affluenza may become the most common malady affecting sleep. Our society is by far the most affluent in history. When compared to other nations, we have an abundance of almost everything—money, apps, cell phones, computers, opportunities, education, food. Remember Michael Jackson?

One would think that our abundance would be sufficient enough to supply a good night’s rest—that we would be content and thankful for what we have. But Solomon reminds us of the illusion that the very things we think will make us secure and comfortable actually work in the reverse—“but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.” Our consumer mindset leaves us with too many options, too many deadlines, and too many regrets to deal with as we lay our heads on our pillows.

In contrast to the abundance of things this world offers, Jesus promised an abundance of life (John 10:10). He modeled the balance of a busy purposeful life that was always characterized by peacefulness. On one occasion, in the bow of a sinking ship, the Savior slept calmly, unaffected by a raging storm. Exhausted from a productive day of ministry, Jesus rested peacefully. He is the perfect example of productive, purposeful work and peaceful rest. What was the Savior’s secret?

Solomon gives us two principles to help us follow in our Master’s footsteps. “The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much.” First, we need to learn to work intentionally—not just busywork to fill up our days. Whatever we do our labor must be in and for the Lord. Purposefully laboring according to God’s purpose for our lives sets us up for good rest. The second truth that helps us rest is to understand a laborer leaves the decisions of the day to the boss. A day worker has the advantage of lying down to rest with an unburdened mind—no decisions, no deadlines, no dilemmas to face at the end of the day. Getting our daily instructions from God, prioritizing our lives accordingly, and leaving the results up to Him nurture a lifestyle that sets us up for sleep. In short, instead of the “dogged pursuit of the Jones,” when we live in the dogged pursuit of Jesus, we prepare our nights for sweet refreshing sleep. If Jesus slept with a calm heart during the storms of life—so can you. The abundance of life in Christ can be yours—you can rest assured in that promise.

Life Lessons Interview

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lifelessonsnetwork/2011/10/14/jordan-elias-shares-life-lessons


Howdy
Here's a link to a recent interview with Rick Toquigny of Life Lessons on Blog Talk Radio. It gives a little of my background and a good discussion of some of the principles of surrendered sleep.