Raise Your Hand

Raise your hand if… you ever wake in the middle of the night and your mind runs rampant. Details, discouragement, worry, and worst-case scenarios flash by faster than a speeding bullet in an endless cycle of distress. You not only think it is going to rain on your parade, but that the sky is going to fall, too. It’s the chicken little syndrome. The term “chicken” is appropriate because fear is in full force, and you are running scared. You are indeed afraid of something that most likely will never happen.

That was me on Monday night. As I laid tossing in a perpetual cycle of overthinking and imagining, I decided to get up. No use staying in bed when sleep was illusive. I grabbed my Bible desperately needing to find the true Source of peace and comfort.

I slowly started flipping pages reading my favorite highlighted passages. Psalm 118:5-6 made me pause.

“In my distress

I prayed to the Lord,

and the Lord answered me

and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.”

I prayed.

He answered!

Freedom from fear.

Fear is not of God.

It is a mighty tool of the enemy that he uses to destroy our peace.

As I meditated on that verse, my mind stopped swirling. As I believed the truth of God’s promise, I no longer had a reason to fear. Faith and fear cannot co-exist. The what-ifs and worst-case scenarios could pack their suitcases and move along. I climbed back in bed and rested freely and peacefully, assured that He is for me, and He hears me when I call.

If you struggle to sleep at times, with a mind that is pinging and ponging, get up and grab your Bible. Let God's promises saturate your mind and soul with peace.