09/22/2025
MONDAY JOY September 22, 2025
WHAT’S KEEPING YOU AWAKE?
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’ s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).
Do you have the gift of worry? I‘m having trouble sleeping lately, worrying about my heart deficiency and upcoming ablation October 17. After fighting with the pillow monster, I give up, get up, and go to the den. There, I can listen to instrumental hymns, pray for others, quote scripture, or read and write. One time, when I was in the early stages of cancer, I wrote this poem:
Another night of waking up.
I walk downstairs to my chair
And find Jesus sitting there.
I sing to him. He sings to me.
Songs about eternity.
Another night of pain—I wonder
How long will it last?
I focus on the future, instead of my past.
I listen for the upward call—to be free.
But until then, I wait on him.
Another night to strengthen me.
While lying in bed Friday night, I quoted the above verses over and over. These were my grandmother’s favorites. Three observations: 1) We’re to worry about nothing and to pray about everything. 2) Prayer is just as much about thanking as it is about asking. For example, I’m not only asking Jesus to heal my heart, but I’m also thanking him for the affliction (which can be hard at times). 3) We can live without a lot of things in life, but one thing we can’t live without is God’s peace. What worry is keeping you awake? What are you asking and thanking Jesus for this week?
UPDATE: It’s coming in 26 days!
