Page 59 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

start rearranging their life to make it possible to sleep eight hours a night. I tell them that whatever their
problem is, you may not be able to help them much until they make the changes.

You want them to know that sadness, depression, anxiety, worry, anger, and a general lack of joy can
often be traced back to the stewardship of their body and their time. If they make reasonable changes
and still cannot sleep, then your second assignment will be a trip to the doctor. Many individuals
struggle to sleep for medical reasons, and it is always good to consult a physician to make certain that
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there is no correctable medical ailment causing sleep loss.

Having excluded physical causes and time management choices as the cause for sleep loss, it is
important to look at the other side of the equation. Prolonged sadness over loss, depression, worry, and
anxiety are known to contribute to trouble sleeping and they all have biblical solutions. The problems
that lead to these feelings have biblical solutions. Dealing with these struggles and the life situations
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that cause them can have an added benefit of improving sleep.

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Practical Guidelines for Improving Sleep

There are several practical measures that can improve sleep; a number of them follow.

Reduce or gradually eliminate caffeine and over the counter medications known to cause sleeplessness.
Deal with problems when they happen whenever possible and do not take them to bed! Instead of
television, social networking, or texting, read the Psalms until you fall asleep. If you wake up in the night,
pray for other people!

Turn off your phone, iPad, or tablet. The light and notifications will disturb your sleep. Keep your days
busy and work in at least 45 minutes of aerobic exercise a day if your job is sedentary.

Memorize these verses: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your
own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Lastly, cultivate gratitude. Yes, work on being thankful for being awake instead of worrying about
sleeplessness. Worry will only make it worse. Spend your waking hours thanking God for the privilege of
reading His Word and praying for others!

93 https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2019/03/15/the-impact-of-sleep-habits-on-a-counselee/
94 Ibid.
95 Ibid.

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