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Listen while you read: "Open My Eyes That I May See"1 (Lyrics) |
Have you ever composed a letter or email while you were supposed to be sleeping? I go to bed tired and ready to sleep, only to have my eyes pop open and my mind kick into high gear. Forget counting sheep — I try to fix things in my mind as I lie there in the dark.
I often rehearse speeches that I need to give someone, or compose a letter or email that I think needs to be sent to straighten someone out. I can say anything in my mental letter or email. I can tell someone how they hurt me or disappointed me, or how I think that they should handle a situation. I do this a lot when I have talked with someone and thought afterward, Boy, I should have said this or said that. If I could do that again, I would tell them a thing or two.
There are many other times when I know that I should have said something wonderful to someone, or shown my appreciation more, or let them know how much I love them. I write those kinds of letters mentally too, but they usually bring me peace instead of tossing and turning, because my mind is thinking good thoughts.
I know that I should write more actual thank-you notes, not only to those people, but also to the Lord for His patience with me. I love this Bible verse:
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (NIV)
This reminds me that before I write those mental letters, I must ask God if what I am wanting to tell someone is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. Is it kind?
Many sleepless nights could be peaceful nights if we filtered our thoughts through this glorious truth.
Prayer; Lord, help us to use Philippians 4:8 as a model for how to think, even in the middle of the night. Amen.
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A great reminder, Jeanie.
Enjoyed your message today.
A very good thought thanks for sharing.
(Ontario)
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today! Blessings.
Thank you, Jeannie, for another great devotional. Please keep them coming.
Converse with the Lord, your blessings, requests, peace and sleep will come.
Oh, my, Jeanie. I’m with you on this one. Lord, help us write those good letters!
Jeanie, that is a very mindful devotional you have written, and I sure can relate with you about reviewing experiences of the day at bedtime and how it delays getting to sleep. It is much better for us to take time to reflect on Biblical scripture and our loving Lord’s ways, to give us peace of mind. Blessings for these thoughtful and positive writings you deliver.
Good morning, Jeanie,
Well I am not alone with this problem of a thinking that instead of a sleeping hat at bedtime.
Crazy what we put ourselves through but so different when we run our thoughts, emails, etc, by Jesus first!!
God bless.
The sharing of your struggles in the devotional was provocative! Let’s hope it will result in me responding more as Jesus’ would. I need to remember that not everything is for me to “fix”, (perhaps the result of my “school teacher” outlook)
Your prayer is particularly helpful.
Thanks,
(BC)
Good morning, Jeanie,
I think we can all relate to this message. I love your suggestion – peaceful is so much better. I do pray to God to help me sleep when I am having trouble, and I believe He helps me. Sometimes I am encouraged to get up for awhile and when I go back to bed, I usually pop off. Let us all try to be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy, and kind in all we do and life will be more peaceful for all. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and hope you compose kind thoughts and drift off peacefully. Blessings.
I so needed this today! God bless you for sharing this!
God bless,
(South Carolina)