Sleep can be an elusive blessing. We sleep well when our mind is allowed to run its course and sort out the problems of the day or think of things ahead. We rest in sleep but our mind does not turn off. It continues to function to keep our psyche in a good place – analysing and assigning meaning to what we experience.

Drugs can interfere with this process and we get dragged down by unsolved problems and unresolved conflicts in our mind. The result is a backlog of unresolved difficulties that will drag us down into depression.

It is the same with our unconfessed sins and our lack of responsibility in facing up to them. They build up and create huge amounts of guilt which causes us spiritual coldness and separation from the Lord. We need to keep short accounts with God and continually face our misdeeds with honesty and courage. When we confess our sin to Him, He can forgive us and reinstate us to fellowship.

Dumbing down with drugs is not the answer, but honestly seeking the Lord and obeying the Word of God. This will bring sweet sleep and the resolution to all our grievances and failures. Our mind will then be at rest and we will walk with God.

Lack of sleep can cause us distress, but we get what we need for the day ahead. The Lord permits us to descend at times into depression and suffering, but only for a season. We trust in Him nevertheless, even if the season is long and protracted. Let us not lose our hold on our Saviour, who is the King of suffering and spent long nights in meditation and intercession for His people. He suffered to death and hell so that we would never have to suffer these consequences of our sinfulness.

If we are able to rest, let us be thankful to Him, who bore away all our misery and is able to set us free. There will be no need of sleep in the heavenly kingdom and the same God will sustain us in this life also. We draw near to Him and accept what He sends in faith and hope which never fails the believer but brings peace. He will deliver us and give strength to face our days, even though we may experience pain. It will run its course and we will gain the victory in the end. We lift our hearts in thankfulness which is the key to the lock of suffering and obey the Lord, trusting Him for what we do not see and knowing He will sustain us in our trials.