Behold… The Power of SLEEP!
I watched a show a while back on the often-overlooked fuel of sleep. Oh, and I know it’s true, because when I don't get enough sleep, my mood, abilities, productivity, clarity of thought, and, in general, my outlook on life become compromised… and pouty.
Without good sleep, my perspective is tainted with depression, impatience, maybe anger, and a smidge of hopelessness.
But after I sleep, I become rational, leaving me to ponder why I was so exasperated.
Back in the infamous summer of 2020, it was an election year, with that little COVID-19 thing going on, racial tensions sky high, all with just the right mix of riots and anarchy. That was plenty bad, but the 24/7 news media gleefully gaslit all the above into a roaring fire.
So I prayed a little, but mumbled more, finding all this 24/7 news machine was here to sell a story, rather than… JUST SHARE THE NEWS.
And on those days, when low on sleep fuel, I start to roll downhill feeling frustrated. But on those days after 8 hours of sleep, this VERY imperfect world does not overwhelm me.
Moral of the story so far? SLEEP, it does a body good.
BUT, even worse than sleep deprivation is being… SPIRIT Deprived.
I know that when I miss time with God in His Word and in prayer, it can be the spiritual equivalent of handling a year like 2020 — operating on four hours of sleep fueled by a diet of flaming hot Cheetos and Red Bull.
THIS WILL NOT END WELL.
But life is so busy. ?? I know this is not true for myself.
So the moral of this story/life is good sleep, diet, exercise, and be in God’s Word, and in prayer with God, all as life’s basic disciplines.
May God find us faithful in our journey to honor Him and see life with His eyes.
May He find us Spirit-led in life, seeking Him in prayer and in his word.
May He find us honoring Him in our habits and attitudes while being healthy in body, mind, and Spirit.
Jeff (looking forward to his next nap) Larson
