Why Our Nighttime Thoughts Matter
Entertaining worrisome and fear-filled thoughts in the night makes it impossible o wake with an attitude of hope and anticipation.
Our nighttime thoughts matter. Perhaps you, like me, have discovered this to be true.
We lie in bed and stress over someone we love and the difficult circumstances they face. We wrestle with thoughts about the rising cost of living. We run mental replays of hurtful conversations. We toss and turn and worry about circumstances both close to home and halfway around the world as the news tells of wars and rumors of wars.
We all know what happens. We wake up feeling more stressed. We’re exhausted, and we haven’t solved a thing.
Entertaining worrisome and fear-filled thoughts in the night makes it impossible to wake with an attitude of hope and anticipation. We’re stuck in a negative mental rut, and we can’t get out.
Because our nighttime thoughts matter, I’ve been practicing a discipline mentioned in Psalm 119:55
“I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD; therefore, I obey your instructions.”
When I wake at night and catch my thoughts going down a path that leads to the worst possible scenario, I rein them in to reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past, His wisdom, and His sovereignty. I focus on His promises to give wisdom and strength and peace. I meditate on specific names of God and think about how they apply to my current circumstances and concerns.
Our nighttime thoughts matter, so it’s vital to ensure those thoughts are rooted in truth.
The more we meditate on who God is as revealed in Scripture, the more we realize that He is fully trustworthy. We’re better able, then, to obey His instructions such as, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)
Perhaps your nighttime thoughts wander down the path of worry. Maybe they take you to painful memories or to the fear of the future. Perhaps they lead you to a place of despair. If so, choose to refuse to linger there. Instead, do as the psalmist did—reflect on who God is.
Why not begin by coming up with an attribute for every letter of the alphabet?
Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
A – Awesome
B – Beautiful
C – Caring
D – Devoted
E – Excellent
F – Fair
G – Gracious
H – Holy
What other attributes of God can you add using the alphabet letters listed here as well as those I didn’t mention?
May I Pray For You?
“Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us how to flourish. When we wake at night and find our thoughts going to unhelpful places and thinking untrue thoughts, please help us rein them in and bring them under Your control. Remind us of Your truths and help us fix our minds on everything that is good and honorable and right. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to help us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Know you are loved,
Grace
The news headlines tell us that we’re living in unbelievably chaotic days. My latest devotional books provide biblical hope and encouragement when our minds feel like they’re on overload.
Available wherever Christian books are sold or order your autographed copies here.
The news headlines tell us that we’re living in unbelievably chaotic days. My latest devotional books provide biblical hope and encouragement when our minds feel like they’re on overload.
Available wherever Christian books are sold or order your autographed copies here.
As I face each day of the Winter of my life, I am 83, I begin each day asking God to allow me to hear His voice…, and give me the strength to do His will. I pray: Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine. For all in the universe is under God’s will.
That’s a beautiful prayer, Jean Ann. Aligning our heart with God’s will at the start of each day sets us in that place of being able to hear (and obey) His voice. Know you are loved!