Proverbs 3:23-24

They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.

Tossing and turning, the thoughts won’t leave your mind. What’s going to happen tomorrow? Is it too late? Will I be able to survive this? How in the world did I get myself into this? I can’t believe this is happening to me!

Sometimes we experience a bad night’s sleep because of things that are completely out of our control…and in that case, we have to lean on our trust in the Lord and in His promises. Other bad nights are completely on us because we are worried about the results of our actions…we acted without common sense or discernment (v. 21) …we acted without wisdom. Once again, I am hoping that you hear the loving and concerned voice of your Heavenly Father in today’s passage.

Far too many of the wounds in my life have been self-inflicted, and I can trace them all back to a lack of wisdom or discernment. “How could I have been so stupid?” is an all too familiar refrain. God has not given us this Book of Proverbs to generate pithy sayings that make a good social media post or a t-shirt. He has given it to us because as the Author of Truth, he has set the rules of the system and wants his special creation – you and me – to experience the blessings of following them. He truly wants us to “go to bed without fear” and “lie down and sleep soundly.”

We often end the day by telling the one’s we love, “Goodnight! Sleep well!” Perhaps we should add, “…and if you are walking in God’s ways, I know that you will!”