Sleep Is a Gift From God

During the Middle Ages, there was a king who had trouble falling asleep. Every night his storyteller would tell stories to help the king sleep. The storyteller became exhausted, needing sleep himself. So, one night he came up with the story of a farmer transporting 2,000 sheep over a river, two at a time. The counting of the sheep lulled the king to sleep. Thus, the old saying, "Counting the sheep until I sleep."

God designed our bodies to need prolonged periods of sleep. Teens need 8-10 hours, and adults need at least 7 hours every night. Studies show that sleep deprivation can make ones at a greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, weight gain, and poor mental health. Writers of the ancient world understood the importance of sleep, saying that sleep is "the most grateful of known gifts."

While some nights a lack of sufficient sleep cannot be helped, how many times have we stayed up a little longer to check social media, read a book, text friends, or watch a movie? We are depriving ourselves of a good night's rest—a gift of God. The next day, we often find ourselves more apt to oversleep, weary, and having brain fog. But worst of all, it is harder to hear God's Spirit talking to us when we are tired. 

God "giveth his beloved sleep," a time to refresh our weary body, recharge, and be strengthened for whatever tomorrow brings. Today's verse is a good reminder that sleep is a gift from God. What are we doing with it?

Sleep is the golden chain
​that binds health and our bodies together.
—    Thomas Dekker