Sleep Tight
Proverbs 3:19-26
Before Patti and I were married she had a visitor one night lurking around her ground floor bedroom window. I happened to be there late that night and I encouraged him to lurk somewhere else. A few weeks later Patti moved and shortly after that the same guy was arrested for breaking into the apartment she had vacated. He was later convicted of over a dozen break-ins and sexual assaults.
Soon after that we got married. Patti had no idea what she had signed up for. Apparently, the trauma of what could have been settled in my subconscious thoughts more than I was aware. On several occasions I came flying out of bed thinking someone was breaking in. One time I thought the open closet door in the bedroom was a person and jumped out of bed and tackled him. Of course, the him was just the closet door but it was an impressive tackle none the less. However, if my memory serves me right, I don’t think Patti was impressed. Traumatized might be a better word for it.
A year later we moved to southern California, but the fun continued. On one occasion the wind was blowing a palm branch outside our bedroom window. It looked like (apparently) someone breaking in because I flew out of bed and slammed into the window. Thankfully the window was open, and I just knocked the screen out into the alley below. We laugh about it now but I’m not sure Patti saw the humor in it back then.
The truth is a lot of people struggle with the night. For many it’s when their fears intensify, or their insecurities flare up. People relive their trauma, or their grief settles in like a cloud. Others struggle with worry or anxiety that keep them tossing and turning for hours. It’s not pleasant.
Proverbs offers some help for those sleepless nights. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
Life in the ancient world was dangerous. Houses were not very secure and law enforcement was limited. The real issue was whether the community was led by the righteous or the wicked. A community dominated by righteousness, justice and equity was safe. When people feared the LORD and listened to lady wisdom the people flourished. When the wicked prevailed, it digressed into the law of the jungle. Remember, everyone ends up living in the culture they create.
Of course, things are much different today, but the basic truths are the same. When we listen to lady wisdom and gain understanding we sleep better. Why? Because we know that the God who created the universe (v. 19, 20) is the God who cares for you. Do not be afraid of sudden fear…the LORD will be your confidence. God offers the map through the minefield. He’s on my side. When I follow His ways, I have confidence His way is the right way. I can trust Him.
Think of it this way. How many of the things that bombard you at night would not be issues if lady wisdom prevailed. Whether we are talking about things you have done, or things done to you, if people listened to God and walked in His ways most of those things would not have happened. The more the community chooses to live skillfully, the safer everyone sleeps at night. Remember, the Proverbs were written to instruct us in living together as a community, not just to us as individuals. When we violate God’s social laws we do so at our own expense.
Obviously, there is much around us we can’t control. The further we drift from God the more dangerous life in the community will become. That’s the consequence of the choices we have made as a culture. But what can you control? Where can you make a difference? What would it look like for you to create pockets of flourishing around you?
What would it look like for you to create a safe, peaceful environment at home or at work? What is your part in that? How can you help make your neighborhood a safer place? Do your words on social media create peace or conflict? What do you watch or read or listen to that creates more anxiety or anger than peace? How might your sleep improve if you spent more time feeding on the words of lady wisdom and less time on the anger and conflict that defines our culture?
How much of our restlessness at night is driven by lies we choose to believe? So, what are you going to do about that? If the Creator of the universe is for you, who can be against you? If you are listening to lady wisdom and walking in her ways, why can’t the LORD be your confidence? Why can’t you trust Him?
So often at night we end up getting into these battles in our minds, unprepared. We can’t fight back because we are unarmed. Our thoughts and minds have been scattered and focused on 101 things all day long then at night when we slow down the lies come flooding in. How much different might that be if we took some time to discipline our minds each day with truth? You know the battle is coming. There is no reason to be caught unprepared.
The Proverbs consistently implores us to listen and learn. To hear what lady wisdom has to say and to cling to it like a valuable treasure. Keep sound wisdom and discretion, so they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. The result of that? When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
We often talk about getting up and prepared for the day. We also need to give thought to what it looks like to prepare ourselves for the night. You are not a helpless victim. You can make choices. Take hold of truth and the LORD will be your confidence. This week make a plan. What are you going to do to prepare for the night and what’s the plan when the night attacks come? Skillful living requires we be prepared to fight in the day and the night. You can do this.