Redeeming TimeSample

THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

Why talk about sleep when we’re talking about redeeming time? Because a wise way to redeem time is to have energy in the morning that carries through the day. The Scriptures are clear about sleep: “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep” (Ps. 127:2). Simply put: burning the candle at both ends is not God’s plan.

Sleep matters, big time! Just one unredeemed hour can impact the next twenty-three. It’s undeniably true that the sleep we get tonight will impact our day tomorrow. Getting enough sleep can be challenging, to say the least. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t battled sleep schedules, including myself! So, here are some of the strategic moves that made all the difference in my life, and I’m confident they will in yours.

• Get on a sleep schedule. Training your body to go to bed at a set time is powerful.
• Lower the temperature in your room. We sleep more soundly in cooler temperatures.
• Exercise your body regularly. At a minimum, walk and get deep breaths of fresh air.
• Finish eating about two hours before you sleep. A full stomach competes with rest.
• Turn off your screens an hour before bed. Blue light suppresses melatonin production.

I used to pride myself on how much sleep I could “get by on.” This is crazy talk. One of the very best ways to redeem time is to get sleep. Fight for sleep. Kill the sleep robbers in your life. Sleep is one of the best blocks of time we can invest into our life. You honor God by getting enough sleep because the next day your time has a better shot at being redeemed.

HOW TO REDEEM TIME:

• Take some time to reflect on your sleep habits and routines. Can they be improved? Are they hindering your ability to redeem time during your waking hours?
• Choose one change to your sleeping routine (it could be something from the list above) to start implementing this week.