Comments on: Insomnia isn’t punishment {Finding Spiritual Whitespace}

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:47:37 +0000

In reply to alyssaz. I appreciate you sharing your experience, Alyssa. You touch on such an important point: our need to let go and hide in him. Sometimes that seems so counter when we want to *do* something instead. It's almost time for me to go to bed tonight, so I'll take your words with me about letting go.

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:44:08 +0000

In reply to Sharon.

Yep, I know what you mean exactly, Sharon. I’ve often begged God for sleep too. Usually I go to sleep fairly well, but I wake up WAY too early and then have trouble going back to sleep. It is better than it used to be though, so I feel hopeful.

I’m encouraged by this: “But the thing is this: HE always comes.” Amen. There is the blessing. Praying you have no nightmares tonight….

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:40:45 +0000

In reply to Katie.

I’m so sorry you’re struggling through PTSD, Katie. 🙁 I don’t know the pain of that so I can only imagine how hard it must be to have to deal with it, period, but then to have to deal with it from a sleep-deprived state. I pray that your counselor will be able to find the right meds and dosage to help you.

It’s great that you’re not giving up on reading. God is persistent in finding ways for us to hear his voice, even during those times when we don’t feel like talking back to him. This is a rough season, but don’t forget that this too shall pass, and in the end, all will be well. You’re loved by many, including me! Please stay in touch.

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:33:57 +0000

In reply to Krista. I've often said that if something is a placebo effect, even better. ha. No harm being done but potential help being given. I'm glad you're getting good sleep now, Krista! That's something else I can look into myself.

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:31:00 +0000

In reply to Melissa.

I love your attitude, Melissa: “God is good, whether He gives us sleep or peace in the wakefulness.” Thanks for reminding me that either way–awake or asleep–I can be at peace because God IS good. Thanks, friend. And I’m glad you sleep soudly! 🙂

By: alyssaz

alyssaz — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 15:41:00 +0000

Yes. And it was a dark part of my life. I knew my insomnia was a result of a spiritual attack. I thought I had to fight off the enemy myself. I learned verses to ‘attack’ back with, tried praying against it, a lot of different things. But really, God just wanted me to relax, let go, and hide in Him. He was my Savior and Solid Rock. I learned so much about Him, and me, during that time!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 18:46:18 +0000

OK, Lisa, this is the most ironic thing. Just last night, I could not sleep. I experience insomnia often. Sometimes it’s the *I can’t fall asleep* kind, and sometimes it’s the *wake up and can’t fall back to sleep* kind. Last night, I just couldn’t fall asleep. I have never thought of insomnia as punishment from God. But what I have thought about is how those lonely hours are a battleground between me and the devil. When I can’t fall asleep, the enemy is right there with fearful thoughts and torturous “what-if” scenarios. Every possible thing that I can worry about arises in my mind.

So, I pray. And beg God for sleep. Sometimes it comes soon, and sometimes it doesn’t. Bu the thing is this: HE always comes.

I cling to this verse: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalms 4:8, NIV)

GOD BLESS!

(I finally got to sleep sometime after 3 AM, only to have a nightmare! But, God was there…)

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 03:08:14 +0000

I fall asleep quickly, but then wake up with nightmares and flashbacks from my PTSD, finally recently diagnosed by the counselor. Sometimes I do not even remember them, just wake up afraid and terrified, which then causes my anxiety to keep me up the rest of the night or go back to sleep only to wake up on and off the rest of my night. I am struggling so much right now to write, to think clearly. Bonnie’s journey sounds so different, yet the same. I find I can read other’s blogs and comment, but not write my own right now. I am even struggling to write in my journal. I am angry at God and not speaking to him right now. I find Bonnie’s book full of things that are wise and could help, but fear and anger at God has kept me from even trying them. I am taking a step though with reading it and going to my doctor to change my meds around and continuing counseling. Love you friend. Love your post.

By: Krista

Krista — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 17:04:06 +0000

I can relate! I’ve been through seasons of anxiety induced insomnia and just plain old insomnia (I’ll take the plain old insomnia over the anxiety induced any night! 🙂 )
I’d tried the teas, herbs and other home remedies to no avail. Then I discovered that magnesium deficiency can cause insomnia. Maybe it’s placebo effect but I’ve had more restful nights since I started taking a supplement.
I pray you are able to find peaceful slumber soon Lisa! 🙂

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 16:31:47 +0000

I appreciate your thoughts on this, Lisa! I haven’t often had insomnia; I usually sleep soundly. (In fact, recently my husband said, “I couldn’t wake you up with a rock.”) But for a while I was waking up around 3:00 every morning and unable to go back to sleep. Like you, I ran through what-if scenarios in my mind. After a while I started praying through the time, and then I found I could sleep. God is good, whether He gives us sleep or peace in the wakefulness.