Joel M Bradshaw

147I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. 148My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.–Psalm 119

No matter how you look at it, the psalmist is awake when others are asleep. I have journeyed with friends who have trouble sleeping. Anxieties fed by fear, worry, or anger keep them staring at their alarm clocks or pacing living room floors in the wee hours of the night.

Depression is more my issue, but I have had my share of anxiety. One of the things I journey with is having restless legs. And doctors have told me that the medicine I would take for restless legs would conflict with my MS drugs. So I choose to slow down the progression of the MS!

The restless legs feel like an anxiety not of the mind, but of the body. It’s as if my body doesn’t want to be still. Every 30 seconds it frustratingly wants to move and I can’t wind down to rest.

The psalmist in his restlessness focused on Scripture. He found hope in the Word of God. He used those overnight hours to meditate upon the promises of God contained in the Bible. Imagine how much more you have to meditate upon! His Bible contained maybe less than half of of what you have. He couldn’t read the words of Jesus and didn’t have Philippians 4 or 1 John 1:9.

What do I do in my sleeplessness?

1. WORK MYSELF TO EXHAUSTION. I can’t tell you the number of times I have gotten Jen and the kids to bed only to put 10 miles on the exercise bike right before sleep. I would make a deal with myself that I couldn’t watch the latest episode of the show I watch unless I am pedaling on the bike. I hit the bed tired.
2. SKIN PAMPERING. In the year since I briefly got COVID I had weird skin dryness and itchiness that was persistent. The doctors were unable to solve it and it sometimes made my overnights horrible. Especially with the restless legs. So I found the trick that seemed to help most. I would take a soothing shower after my nightly exercise and then utilize a moisturizing lotion.
3. PRAYER. Yes, I admit I prayed to God in the middle of my restless itching. I longed for sleep. But I also seized the opportunity to pray for my family and friends. I currently pray for certain specific matters every time I turn over or shift position. I view my occasional restlessness as an opportunity to unburden my thoughts before God. Casting my worries and fears upon God. Taking my disappointments and struggles directly to Him.

The quiet overnight house provides wonderful opportunities to control what you can control and to trust God with what you can’t. That is your sleepless mission.–JMB