UNPACK This...Giving Our Best With Rest and Health Sample

A Good Night's Sleep

A writer for The Athletic titled his article leading up to the 2019 Final Four, “The Secret to Virginia’s Final Four Run? A Good Night’s Sleep.”

Veteran players, strong coaching, and a stout defense certainly contributed to Virginia winning the 2019 NCAA Tournament Championship, but being well-rested also played a significant part. Their coaching staff implemented a plan that encouraged their players to rest, recover, and sleep more.

Strength and conditioning coach Mike Curtis told The Athletic, “We know that regularly getting eight to ten hours of sleep is better for recovery. We educate them on how to create a better environment for that.”

When you consider the overall success of Virginia’s basketball program, their players demonstrate the value of getting a good night’s sleep.

As followers of Jesus, we’re reminded in Psalm 127:2 of the need for sleep: “It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know He enjoys giving rest to those He loves?”

Worry and stress intensify when we’re lacking sleep for energy, passion, alertness, and productivity. If we’re not living in a place of rest, we’re not giving our best.

Beyond circumstances that sometimes prevent us from getting enough sleep, we must shift our perspective and recognize the value of sleep–especially for our spiritual lives.

Sleep and rest are made possible when we have faith that God will take care of things. By letting go of the pressure to accomplish everything ourselves, we can get the sleep our bodies require.

Matthew 8:24-26 shares this convincing story: “Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”

Since Jesus found time to sleep (even in a storm!) and Virginia makes it a priority, we can choose to become re-energized and refueled for serving God!

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I surrender to You, I know my soul’s at rest. Please also help me to prioritize physical rest, so I can be fully used by You for Your purposes and glory. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

For more sports and faith devotionals, visit unpackinit.com.