Sleep is a precious commodity in our home, one that eludes us. We have tried various prescription, over the counter and natural remedies in the hope of a few hours of sleep.

We’ve received numerous recommendations: warm milk, electronics off an hour before and quiet the house, melatonin, unwind spray, sleep dust, read a phone book….

I’ve even created a pinterest board entitled Curing Insomnia to collect recommendations.

Most of these have worked at one time or another. Warm milk with a splash of vanilla worked well in college, melatonin on rare occasions, unwind spray helps relax me when I am worried or anxious, I’ve never actually tried the phone book because the chore of finding one would only further wake me up, and while the sleep dust doesn’t help us doze back off we have found it to be an excellent cure for the hiccups (you can find the recipe here).

There are many reasons why sleep does not come in our home. Some nights I am so caught up in what I am doing I find it hard to tear myself away, whether it is a good book or a writing project. Other nights I toss worrying about my soldier, the future, the kids…. I believe I have spent so many nights awake during the deployments that night is no longer welcome and my body resists it.

My sleepless nights originated with fear. My imagination runs wild and takes me places I do not want to go. Scripture has something to say about this.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippiians 4:6-7

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” Proverbs 3:5-8

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Matthew 6:27

It is a vicious cycle as the lack of sleep adds to anxiety and worry. Sleep is important and so is casting our worries on Christ. He is strong enough to handle it for all of us! While I know this the application of it is sometimes difficult. It is easier to fall into the old habits of worry then it is to cast all of my cares on him.

So from here on out I will approach my sleepless nights with prayer and instead of finding that ancient phone book from the 90’s I will reach for the Bible to calm my anxious heart. And while a spritz of aromatherapy or an occasional home remedy still lay in my future, I know that my heart can rest easy.

Do you have a cure for insomnia?

Please let us know in the comments below.