Soulfood

Jonathan Holmes

D.A. Carson – sometimes the godliest thing we can do in the universe is to get a good night’s sleep.

1. The Struggle to Sleep
2. A Theology of Sleep
3. Hope When We Sleep
4. Help for a Season of Sleeplessness

The Struggle to Sleep – many people don’t get enough sleep. A lack of sleep impacts us in all aspects of our lives.

Before the invention of the light bulb the average person slept 11 hours per day. The average American sleeps 7 hours per day now – so over the course of a week, we now sleep a day less every week than people did 125 years ago.

Slowed reflexes, trouble thinking or concentrating, mood disorders (anxiety, irritability, depression, etc.), headaches, depressed immune systems (increased sickness), and metabolism issues (including diabetes development) are all correlated with a lack of sleep. Dementia, cardiac issues, type 2 diabetes, etc. are all connected to sleep deficits.

Why do we struggle to fall asleep? Technology is one. Overworking. Caffeine intake. Emotional reasons – relational, etc. Our drive to be productive often keeps us from getting the sleep we need. We are too willing to sacrifice sleep so we can pursue disordered desires. Our disordered sleep reveals our disordered loves.

A Theology of Sleep

1. Sleep affirms the character and nature of God
   • We sleep because we are human – we get weary and exhausted and tired. God does not grow weary (Isa 40:28-29)
   • Gen 2:1-3 God rests from His work to bless it and enjoy it. He wasn’t exhausted – He was finished.
   • We are not defined or bound by our work – work is purposeful
   • Rest reveals God’s generosity to us – sleep is a gift of God (Psalm 127:2)
2. Sleep reveals our humanity
   • The Bible is filled with examples of people sleeping and resting. Even in Gen 2:21 – when God does this important work of creating Eve, He does it while Adam sleeps.
   • Sleep affirms our deep dependence on God
   • We tend to glorify ourselves if we believe we can go without sleep – but sleep is an act of humility. And we cannot escape forever our need for sleep – it will catch up with us eventually.
   • Psalm 4:8 David can sleep while he is fleeing from Absalom because of his deep faith in God’s care for him.
   • Jesus slept in the midst of a storm at sea – Mark 4:8. Jesus in his humanity needed to sleep. Jesus also struggled to sleep in times of deep distress (in Gethsemane)
3. Sleep offers us a pathway to present rest
   • How can we create a culture of rest in our ministry? Setting an example of good sleep is a good place to start.
   • Sleep is a physical act –
     • Brain maintenance – during sleep our brains organize information and reinforce memories
     • Sleep allows our bodies to restock and resupply to prepare for the next day
     • Sleep allows for self-repair, physical healing
   • Sleep is important to a number of nerve functions including how your brain communicates with the rest of your body. Sleep also helps the body to capture and expel toxins.
   • Good sleep helps us to be more thoughtful, more patient, to think clearly and slow down.
   • When our bodies don’t get the sleep that we need our days are harder
4. Sleep gives us a picture of future rest
   • Sleep is a daily and regular ritual that reminds us of and allows us to participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a witness that resurrection is not a fairy tale but is woven into the fabric of our reality.

Hope When We Sleep

What does God do while we sleep? What is Jesus doing while we sleep?

1. He is working all things together for our good
2. He is completing the good work of redemption He began in us
3. He is counseling us (Ps. 16:7-8)
4. He is sustaining us
5. He is keeping us safe (Ps 4:8, Ps 121)
6. He is keeping us generally
7. He is steadfastly loving us and preparing new mercies for us for the morning
8. Jesus is making intercession for us while we sleep (Heb 7:25)
9. Jesus is advocating for us before the Father (1 John 2:1)

We go to sleep and God begins His work (Eugene Peterson reflecting on Genesis 2)

What is a sleep disorder?

Sleep disorders involve problems with timing, duration, and quality of sleep. They contribute to other psychological disorders.

Insomnia is the most prevalent but there is also sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. Roughly 1 in 3 adults in the world struggle with some form of insomnia. 1 in 4 adults meet the criteria for insomnia as a medical diagnosis.

Why do they happen? Part of the reason is a lack of good sleep hygiene.

1. Daily exercise is preparation for good sleep – lack of exercise works against good sleep
2. Overcaffeination. Consuming caffeine after noon is harmful to sleep
3. Alcohol consumption (especially overconsumption) prevents good sleep
4. Late afternoon naps can inhibit sleep (depending on duration)
5. Having a regular time to go to sleep helps with good sleep
6. Before you go to sleep:
   • Restrict liquid intake
   • Begin “winding down” about 90 minutes before bedtime
   • Avoid screens or other light sources as they suppress melatonin production
   • Reading and praying before going to sleep helps prepare our minds and bodies for rest
   • Consider your sleep setup – cool, dark, and quiet is best

REM and NREM sleep – during nightly sleep we have cycles of REM sleep when the body is pretty active. The non-REM sleep cycle is about 90 minutes and we need 4-5 cycles of non-REM sleep each night to be rightly refreshed by sleep.

Sleep journaling can be helpful to understanding sleep.

We are not alone when we struggle to sleep. Paul struggled with sleep, as did David and Asaph. But let us remember our songs in the night!

God always has a purpose for our sleeplessness.

Ben Gladd article on Jesus sleeping on a boat in the midst of the storm

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jesus-slept-calming-storm/

Jesus offered himself in perfect submission to the Father on his sleepless night in Gethsemane.

Nighttime prayer from BCP