Bedtime: Sleeping in Peace

Jesus: King of Glory, Prince of Peace

by Hillary Mortensen

In the past few days, I have had several friends tell me that they are so anxious about something that they have lost sleep. Many of us are obviously anxious about Adam's medical condition and the hardship of his family. I often find myself worried about or burdened by many things, whether they be a family member's trial, a friend's discouragement, or my plans for the future.

God, in His great mercy and lovingkindness, has been reminding me time and again that He is God and that anxiety and worry are therefore not only unnecessary and unhelpful, but also prideful and sinful. I am determined that I will fight against a spirit of anxiety and learn to surrender to the Lord what I hold so dear. As I do this, I hope I can help others do the same. (As for me, I know I have a long way to go, but will you join me in this battle?)

Charles Spurgeon, a nineteenth-century English preacher, wrote about the age-old problem of anxiety in his collection of classic devotionals entitled Morning by Morning:

'Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.'-Psalm 55:22

Care, even though exercised on legitimate objects, if carried to excess, has in it the nature of sin. The precept to avoid anxious care is earnestly inculcated by our Saviour, again and again; it is reiterated by the apostles; and it is one which cannot be neglected without involving transgression: for the very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting ourselves into His place to do for Him that which He has undertaken to do for us. We attempt to think of that which we fancy He will forget; we labour to take on ourselves our weary burden, as if He were unable or unwilling to take it for us. Now this disobedience to His plain precept, this unbelief in His Word, this presumption in intruding on His province, is all sinful. Yet more than this, anxious care often leads to acts of sin. He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God's hand, but will carry his own burden, is very likely to be tempted to use wrong means to help himself. This sin leads to a forsaking of God as our counsellor, and resorting instead to human wisdom. This is going to the 'broken cistern' instead of to the 'fountain;' a sin which was laid against Israel of old. Anxiety makes us doubt God's lovingkindness, and thus our love to Him grows cold; we feel mistrust, and thus grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers become hindered, our consistent example marred, and our life one of self-seeking. Thus want of confidence in God leads us to wander far from Him; but if through simple faith in His promise, we cast each burden as it comes on Him, and are 'careful for nothing' because He undertakes to care for us, it will keep us close to Him, and strengthen us against much temptation. 'You wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee.'

Author Francis Chan writes, "Worry implies that we don't quite trust God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. "

As you lift up Adam in prayer tonight, do just that. Lift him up to God, the one who cares for and loves him more than we can possibly imagine. Surrender. Recognize that you are not powerful enough to change the circumstances, but God is. God is sovereign and God is good, so rejoice.

Pray for Adam's family, especially Amy, Jack, and Cookie, as they endure the tough and difficult moments. Understand that while you are not strong enough to be their sole source of comfort, God is, and He longs to be their Prince of Peace.

What worries you tonight? Ask God to help you rely on Him for hope, strength, and security. He will not disappoint you. Listen to this song, "Hold Me Jesus," and make it your bedtime prayer.