Overcoming Insomnia - Part 2Sample

Giving thanks in all circumstances

Good job! Your commitment to finishing this plan and sleeping better than ever is on track! These truths - taken together - are important keys to the peaceful sleep God designed for you.

How does your view of the circumstances in your life affect the quality of sleep you get each night? You might be surprised. If you think that difficulties are just random events that happen for no purpose and could wipe you out, you’ll naturally lay awake at night worrying about them. On the other hand, if these difficulties all have a purpose under the loving hand of your Heavenly Father, you can go beyond simply enduring these troubles and actually become joyously thankful for them.

Consider these words that James, the brother of Jesus wrote: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials”. Trials mean hard or difficult circumstances. So why can you “count it all joy” even in the most difficult circumstances? It is because your Savior, the One who gave His life for you, is weaving every situation together to work for your good.

That’s why the Bible encourages you to “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. Likewise, Paul writes in Ephesians 5:20 that we should be “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Do you really believe that God in His infinite wisdom can use each circumstance in your life to positively contribute to His unique purpose for your life? Then you can be thankful in all things.

Thanking God for a difficult circumstance is an act of faith. It is a result of trusting that God is indeed in control and that all He allows in our life flows from His abundant love for us.

Of course, you’re not thanking God for the evil itself. Instead, you’re thanking God that no matter what the circumstance, He will weave it together for good in your life. Keep this in mind: if you could see your life from God’s perspective, you would rejoice because then you would understand. So regardless of how you feel, thank God anyway – by faith.

So tonight when you are ready for bed, pop in your earbuds, click on the audio clip below and relax as you close your eyes and listen to a small portion of our “Casting Your Cares” sleep session that will reinforce today’s devotional as you drift off to sleep. Note that while the relaxation portion is similar, the message is different. Wait for it – it’s good!