Whatever Gets You Through the Night, April 26
Written by Thomas Sherrod
“My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word” (Psalm 119:148 NKJV).
Have you ever lain awake at night wondering if you will ever fall asleep? Counting sheep never worked for me. The few months before retiring from a job of over thirty-two years, I had a difficult time falling asleep and staying asleep. The future seemed uncertain. What was I going to do with my time? What would my new life look like? Anxiety would creep in like a burglar in the night. Worry would infest my mind like a swarm of yellow jackets.
Cancer can create anxiety and concern about the future:
You may sit up at night wondering how cancer could possibly have invaded your life.
You may have questions about proposed treatment options.
Someone may have upset or offended you by offering a simple solution to your complicated situation.
You may feel alone in your struggle to fight this disease.
You know you need sleep, but the more you think about it the harder it is to fall asleep.
Psalm 119:148 is part of the longest chapter of the Bible. It includes 176 verses. Almost every verse mentions God’s Word. Verse 148, “My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word” speaks of a longing and a hunger for God to speak to us through His Word. I know God’s Word feeds me and sustains me. But how often do I turn to other means, seeking respite for my roving thoughts?
God’s Word calls me home. His Word reminds me of who I am and where I belong in His eternal family. I am reminded of God’s love that gives my life meaning and purpose.
I have found that another way to face sleeplessness is to mentally place my burdens at the foot of the cross. In my mind, I hand to Jesus each of the worrisome thoughts keeping me awake. Then, I thank Him for carrying this burden so I do not have to. These simple prayers provide relief that I cannot find anywhere else. I cannot explain why or how. But I do know as God prompts me to lay my burdens at His feet, I often awaken surprised, hours later. This is not a quick fix or a magic bullet for anxiety. But it is a testimony of how God has often eased my fears over the past few years.
Pray: Lord, thank You for being so faithful to call me back to You and Your Word. Thank You for calming my fears and quieting my anxious thoughts. Give me the wisdom to turn to You in the night when sleep seems so elusive. I love You, Lord, and rest in the security of Your love. Amen.
Your Turn:
Let your anxious thoughts prompt you to turn to God’s Word.
Visualize laying your burdens at the merciful feet of Jesus, whose mercy is fresh every morning.
Thomas Sherrod, Cancer Survivor
Tom is a retired hospital chaplain who works part time for Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health System in North Carolina. He organized and facilitated a cancer support group for twenty years as part of his hospital ministry. He is married for forty-four years and enjoys his three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. He is a recent survivor of prostate cancer and is immensely thankful for all of God's grace and provisions through it all.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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