During a recent night, lying awake and filled with worry for a loved one, I experienced one of those rare instances when the voice of the Lord is almost audible. As I feared I’d never sleep again, I sensed the Lord ask, “Do you trust me?”

While I am generally calm and don’t overreact, I have experienced anxiety around my sleep in the past. Over time, with general health improvements and some helpful techniques, I now get good-enough sleep. But I certainly did not want this new scare to set me right back into old patterns again.

Without hesitation, I replied, “Yes.” And I drifted off. I don’t think this was because I’m super spiritual. I actually surprised myself. But I needed the reminder that sleep is all about trust. Every night almost every person lies vulnerable in bed. Moms have to let go and rest while newborns slumber. Caregivers must release control so they too can rest. Even when not in crisis I have to trust that God will watch over me and my loved ones as we sleep. Scripture reminds us over and over again:

• He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Ps 121:3–4)
• In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Ps 4:8)
• When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Pr 3:24)
• I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. (Ps 3:5)

Trust (batah in Hebrew) means to have confidence in, be secure, or feel safe. It’s placing one’s full weight upon someone (or something) with calm assurance.¹ I know I can place my full assurance on the Lord because he is good (2 Chron 7:3), he loves me, and he has helped me in the past. I repeat with the psalmist:

• I trust in your unfailing love. (Ps 13:5)
• For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. (Ps 21:7)
• The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. (Ps 32:10)
• I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. (Ps 52:8)
• Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (Ps 143:8)
• You who fear him, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield. (Ps 115:11)

I also processed my fears with caring friends and received their prayers. Even writing about it here is therapeutic. And I trust professionals and their diagnoses and treatment plans as well. But the sweetest help comes from my Lord, my shield, who reminds me that ultimately I am secure in his unfailing love and watchfulness. I release control of my loved one and the outcome of this latest challenge. I depend on God for our life and sustenance.

What does trusting God look like to you?

PRAYER

Lord, I am so grateful for your kind words to me in the middle of my fear. While this life brings times of danger, I don’t have to be terrified of you. I step toward you as you drew near to me. I trust in your goodness and love.

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1. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/982.htm Topical Lexicon ↩︎