"You will not be afraid when you lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant when you fall asleep" (Proverbs 3:24*).
During our church small group gathering, I mentioned that I often have trouble falling asleep. One member of the group, a retired school psychologist, shared that he tells people not to think about the plans for the next day when trying to fall asleep, but rather to focus on what they accomplished the previous day.
As I pondered this, the story of Creation from Genesis chapter 1 came to mind. At the end of each day of the creation process, the Lord looks at what has been created and says it is good. This prompted me to follow God's example from Genesis and the psychologist's advice.
In the evening before sleep, I look back on the past day and, recalling each event, achievement, or interaction, I think it was good and thank God for it. When I recall an unpleasant experience, I still tell myself it was good. I then thank God for the benefit it brought, whether it's a valuable lesson I learned or the fact that He was with me during the experience.
I continue this practice every night, and it still serves as a blessing to me. It helps me fall asleep and keeps me in a good frame of mind daily.
Link to the original article: https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2024-06-30
* Bible quotes are from the Bible, New Translation from the Original Languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013