I used to think I heard from the Lord best in the shower (I have no idea why), but lately I’ve been hearing from Him loudly in bed.
I don’t know if it’s what I’m eating for dessert or that I’m starting my old lady changes soon, but I’ve been having a hard time falling asleep lately (resulting in a haggardly, crabby Laura in the morning). A few weeks ago, however, I started doing two things that have helped me fall asleep almost immediately (except last night…#rodgersX2hailmary) and wake up a little less…scary.
Several weeks ago, I had a Spirit inspired thought while lying awake with a nasty cold in the middle of the night. I know it was Spirit inspired because my thoughts involved throwing things, crying and possibly swearing. Instead I had the idea to think of five things I could be thankful for. Really? Yeah, definitely not something I would come up with. This little exercise in positive thinking has happened every morning since then. I thank God for five things every day before my feet hit the ground. Most mornings I am so incoherent I don’t remember what I thank God for, but I am noticing subtle changes in my brain, attitude, and my mornings since this started.
About a week later I got another Spirit inspired thought, this time when I crawled into bed. What is one thing I really believe about God. One thing the Bible says about God that I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt. So one night I thought about how God created the heavens and the earth. Another night I fell asleep thinking God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The night of the Paris attacks I wanted to believe God works for the good of those who love him, but I was wrestling with that so I thought of something else I believed about God. Another night I fell asleep contemplating what it means by, “I can do all things through Christ…” (Surely that doesn’t include algebra, right?).
Why have I been sleeping better and waking up a slightly nicer human being? Peace and gratitude. When I think about how big, wise, all-present and all-powerful the God of the universe is before I fall asleep, I feel safe and protected. When I wake up and am immediately reminded of the many blessings God is and has given me, I think I have more joy and contentment.
The caveat is I have to know what the Bible says about God in order to discern what I believe. The other caveat is I have to think (I like to be done thinking by dinner time and I don’t like to start thinking again until after coffee). But the benefit is worth any tradeoffs.
I used to lay in bed lamenting about my day, tomorrow’s to do list or worrying about my kids. I was waking up anxious and crabby. The last few weeks I have slept more soundly and started my day with more joy because of these two simple exercises (I can do laying down) and for that I am incredibly thankful.
LOL, my friend. For some reason I never thought about the naked in the shower thing. Funny. Thank you for the Scripture you shared above! Blessings to you.
I believe the Lord direct us to fall asleep thinking about Him instead of our cares and worries. It give such a feeling of deep peace and security! I have found waking up hearing God's voice, also. It is such a great way to wake up!
I think verses like, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither- whatever they do prospers." Psalm 1:1-3. Also, Joshua 1:8, "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Gratitude is essential for prayer, and God is present when we worship Him. It is a very strong form of spiritual warfare. I think it is a daily challenge to sort through the thoughts that pop into our mind, and to make the choice to "take every thought captive to Christ."
Just a personal note, and it may be TMI, but I avoid praying in the shower because I am naked, and feel weird about it. Like God even cares… He created me.. but still.
Maybe I should practice more vulnerability by worshiping him naked! :)) I don't know how scriptural that is. The only reference to being naked it when Adam and Eve hid, and I sure don't want to hide from the Lord!