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Insomnia and Restlessness – Lectio Divina

April 17, 2011 By Jean Wise

Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.   Ecclesiastes 5:3 NLT


Too much activity gives you restless dreams.

Lord I can’t sleep.  
Or rather I go to sleep, then wake up.
My mind races with items left undone.
My heart echoes with voices that demand, “Do, do, do!”
My nerves fidget and frazzle, taut between yesterday and tomorrow.
I focus more on the night’s shadows than Your light’s guidance.
Too much activity results in restless dreams.

I fill my time with jagged emptiness instead of creating space for You.
When I do pause and turn my heart to You,
Once again You gently tell me to rest, rest in You.
Your soothing whisper quiets the noise in my soul
Your arms enfold me and I snuggle into peaceful slumber.
Rest.
Peace
Quiet
And at last sleep.

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Filed Under: lectio divina

Comments

  1. blankjanicejohnson says

    April 20, 2011 at 1:43 am

    I feel more rested just reading this post; thanks for sharing. I will definitely copy it for my husband; he has a hard time slowing down too.

  2. blankJohnnie says

    April 19, 2011 at 1:51 am

    Ecclesiastes is my favorite Old Testament book. And you’ve expressed this verse so prayerfully. Appreciate your openness.

  3. blankColleen says

    April 18, 2011 at 4:56 am

    Oh boy, did I need this! Thank you!

  4. blankKelli says

    April 18, 2011 at 3:22 am

    What a great reminder to slow down and focus on what is really important.

  5. blankGraceful says

    April 18, 2011 at 1:24 am

    Oy, those verses describe me perfectly these last few days. I’ve had terribly restless sleep, my brain roiling with words and images all night. And frankly, too many words have made me a fool on more occasions than I can count…I need to remember that next time I interrupt someone or go on and on in a staff meeting!

    Thanks for linking up Jean — I love how you nail it home with simplicity — perfect for my overburdened brain!

  6. blankJen says

    April 18, 2011 at 1:17 am

    After a day of rest (finally), I can so appreciate His power to let all those other things that vie for my attention to just fall away for the moment.

  7. blankKaren says

    April 17, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    Oh, great post Jeanie! I try to tell the Lord, I’m so tired of worrying and thinking that I’m going to sleep so You please do that for me. (sometimes I believe myself and go on to sleep.) 🙂

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