Sleeping for Him - part one

College has a strange effect on our sleep patterns.  No one can seem to get enough sleep.  Everyone wants more sleep.  We sleep when we shouldn't (in class, while reading, at work, while driving??) and we can't sleep when we should (homework, conversations, and video games at bedtime).  It's just part of college life, right?  It's normal to operate on less than six hours of sleep.  So, you just load your system with some caffeine and "do stupid things faster and with more energy" (as one popular slogan phrases it).  ;)

Are we helpless in the fight to get enough sleep?  Will we ever defeat droopy eyelids and nodding heads?

Let's try to find some balance.

1. Sleep is necessary. This is simple and obvious. It is part of the way we operate as humans. Most sources agree (though Scripture is silent) that we need 7-9 hours each night.

2. We can survive on less sleep. There are times in life that sleep will be sacrificed for more important things and other times when we will feel tired but not be able to sleep. This was true in Jesus' life. We are told on various occasions that He was tired and on at least one occasion that He decided not to sleep in order to pray (just before His death - obviously extreme circumstances). Jesus also took advantage of opportunities to sleep - even on a boat. 

3. God provides strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9 is clear that in our weakness, God's strength is made complete. The principle here is not that we should seek sleep-deprived states, but eater depend on Him at all times and trust that He will provide strength in the rare times that we are lacking sleep. 

4. We are to avoid laziness. Any number of verses from Proverbs could be quoted here. The principle is not that sleep is bad, but rather that our attitude is important. If we are sleeping out of necessity, to take care of our bodies and therefore be fit to serve the Lord to the max, then it's not laziness. If, however we sleep because we don't feel like getting up, or want to avoid work, or whatever else, we are lazy.

5. We are to take care of our bodies.  1 Corinthians 6 reminds us that our bodies are the Lord's because we are bought with a price. This means I need to do everything I can to keep this body fit for His service. I nee to eat right, exercise, rest, and sleep. 

6. A lack of sleep has costly effects. The human body doesn't function properly without sleep. It hinders us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Physically it weakens our immune system. You know how easy it is to get sick when sleep-deprived. It also slows recovery. It keeps our body from restoring itself. It adds stress. Not to mention it causes us to fall asleep at the worst times - like in class! What a waste of time and money! Mentally, it slows down brain function. It is harder to process things and to think correctly (something we are to take very seriously according to Scripture like Philippians 4:8). Emotionally, it makes us prone to moodiness and irritability. Our sin is never caused by a lack of sleep, but I know I have a much harder time walking in the Spirit when I'm tired. 

Here's the bottom line. If my life is really God's, then I want to do everything I can to make it fit for service - which means I need to work hard to get enough sleep. When I don't, I need to make every effort to trust that God will provide the strength I need (or the means to get some sleep) and seek to depend on Him. 

In part two, we'll look at some practical ways to get sleep, even though you are a college student.