Everyone has trouble sleeping at one time or another. It might be due to the stress of life, a change in your body or too much pizza. Whatever the reason, it is distressing.

There are a couple of verses in Psalms that really help me to relax when my mind is buzzing with sleeplessness.

⁵I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.

Psalm 3:5

⁶Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. ⁷You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. ⁸In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Psalm 4:6-8

Both of these psalms were written by David. If anyone had reason to stay awake and worry about living until morning, it was him. Running from Saul while leading a band of discontents exhausted David. But he knew he could sleep in safety because the Lord watched over him.

If sleep evades you, try meditating on these verses. Busy your mind with picturing how the Lord might be watching over you. Are there angels? Did they bring flaming swords or are they just sitting on the front porch watching the fireflies?

Here’s my other secret. Since January, we have been listening to The Bible in a Year. Every day we hear a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. When I am alone, I listen to the readings as I fall asleep. There is no better way to fall asleep than to the words of scripture.