A Night With God

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

Psalm 16:7 (NIV)

You may disagree, but there's no denying that nighttime is a time of life that many of us don't particularly enjoy. You probably know why, because you've likely experienced it yourself: insomnia. Insomnia often leads us to dwell on our mistakes, ruminate on unsolvable problems, and make the best or worst decisions of our lives. It forces us to confront everything we tried to avoid during the day.

You might think you're the only one who goes through these sleepless nights. David, the psalmist who had a special relationship with God, experienced them too. Instead of viewing the thoughts that haunted his nights as problems, he saw them as divine revelations and instructions. Instead of letting himself be tormented, he dedicated these nights to worshiping and praising God. He wasn't wasting his time. So, instead of saying he'd had a bad night, he saw his insomnia as an opportunity to spend quality time with God.

When insomnia plagues you, don't let yourself be overwhelmed by the thoughts that assail you; rather, entrust them to God, who will take care of you. See these thoughts as divine revelations meant to awaken your spirit and guide you toward maturity. This will soothe your troubled and anxious thoughts. Bring the thoughts that torment you to God. I assure you that at dawn, you will have the grace of having spent a night with God instead of having to complain.

May God's grace and peace be with you.