I know a thing or two about waking up in the middle of the night with worries. In fact, at one point in my life I would’ve considered myself an “expert worrier”!
I would let my mind run in every direction, playing out worst case scenarios. In a backwards way, it felt safer to imagine the worst, so that if and when the worst did happen…I was prepared.
But all this worrying actually did nothing to prepare me. In fact, it stole from me the gift of being present in my own life. When you are consumed with worry, there is little room to enjoy the here and now.
I remember one particular night where I woke up with anxiety as I always did, and this time…God invited me into a conversation. He said, “Talk to me.”
So I did. I started telling Him all the things on my heart, I even tried to tell Him all my worst case scenarios, but once I started laying them at His feet, it seemed as though we had better things to talk about. Things that only He would understand.
He started showing me people to pray for, issues in the lives of me and my loved ones that needed deeper attention, upcoming events that I had to surrender all the details in His capable hands.
The funny thing is, the more we had these middle of the night talks…the more my heart felt at ease, and the less I woke up with anxiety. It was almost as if my brain understood, “hey if we’re waking up, we’re just going to talk to Jesus!” And that gave it permission to rest.
If you, like me, have those middle of the night wakings with fear and worry…let me encourage you with a few of my favorite Psalms about sleep:
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” (Psalm 4:8)
“Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD Himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.” (Psalm 121:4-5)
“It is useless for you to work hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to His loved ones.” (Psalm 127:2)
Isn’t it comforting that, unlike King Nebuchadnezzar, we have the God of the universe to talk to?
We don’t have to place our faith in astrologers, or wise men, or magicians…but we have the very Creator of all the galaxies waiting to take on our requests. He is ready and willing to comfort us in our time of need.
So next time you wake up with those middle of the night worries — try not to beat yourself up about it. Trust me, that method doesn’t work either! But instead, start talking to Him.
Start a conversation with the One who knows you best. Sometimes those middle of the night talks are truly the best of all. And you never know what He will show you. Exchange your worries for His peace and let Him speak His love over you.
I would let my mind run in every direction, playing out worst case scenarios. In a backwards way, it felt safer to imagine the worst, so that if and when the worst did happen…I was prepared.
But all this worrying actually did nothing to prepare me. In fact, it stole from me the gift of being present in my own life. When you are consumed with worry, there is little room to enjoy the here and now.
I remember one particular night where I woke up with anxiety as I always did, and this time…God invited me into a conversation. He said, “Talk to me.”
So I did. I started telling Him all the things on my heart, I even tried to tell Him all my worst case scenarios, but once I started laying them at His feet, it seemed as though we had better things to talk about. Things that only He would understand.
He started showing me people to pray for, issues in the lives of me and my loved ones that needed deeper attention, upcoming events that I had to surrender all the details in His capable hands.
The funny thing is, the more we had these middle of the night talks…the more my heart felt at ease, and the less I woke up with anxiety. It was almost as if my brain understood, “hey if we’re waking up, we’re just going to talk to Jesus!” And that gave it permission to rest.
If you, like me, have those middle of the night wakings with fear and worry…let me encourage you with a few of my favorite Psalms about sleep:
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” (Psalm 4:8)
“Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD Himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.” (Psalm 121:4-5)
“It is useless for you to work hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to His loved ones.” (Psalm 127:2)
Isn’t it comforting that, unlike King Nebuchadnezzar, we have the God of the universe to talk to?
We don’t have to place our faith in astrologers, or wise men, or magicians…but we have the very Creator of all the galaxies waiting to take on our requests. He is ready and willing to comfort us in our time of need.
So next time you wake up with those middle of the night worries — try not to beat yourself up about it. Trust me, that method doesn’t work either! But instead, start talking to Him.
Start a conversation with the One who knows you best. Sometimes those middle of the night talks are truly the best of all. And you never know what He will show you. Exchange your worries for His peace and let Him speak His love over you.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.