B Sides for Lesson 2

According to the CDC, a little more than 36% of American adults don't get enough sleep. The national average is 36.8% while the average in Virginia is a little lower, 33-36%. Some of the main reasons that people are sleep deprived are: a sleep disorder like insomnia, or restless leg syndrome; age is a factor. People over 65 have a higher degree of sleep issues, usually due to medication or medical issues; and those suffering from depression, anxiety and stress issues.

Scripture has a lot to say about anxiety and stress. the Bible says "do not fear" or "do not be afraid" over 100 times. Jesus says in Matthew 11, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

As Christians, we are called to put our trust in God, and yet, we continue to wrestle with anxiety, stress, and sleep deprivation. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we are alone, left to our own devices, and we have to solve everything on our own. After all, this is what the world teaches us. However, leaning a little more into the arms of Jesus, we find that we can find that peace, that shalom, that Jesus offers us. Spending more time in prayer, more time in God's Word and allowing the Spirit the time and space to move in our hearts and lives is the pathway to experiencing this "rest for your souls" that Jesus talks about. I'm not promising an overnight fix! God works on this own time. But, if we are willing to be patient, do the spiritual work required, being devoted to prayer and Scripture, then we find that God's solutions are so much better than what we could have ever come up with on our own. Trust God!