The other night I went to sleep with some concerns on my mind . . . no, some anxieties . . . . I was just flat out afraid. It was the kind of afraid that makes your chest tighten and makes you sleep thinly through the night with little snippets of your fears swirling around with you as you doze and waken and doze and waken and doze and waken. Before the alarm ever had a chance to come on, I bolted awake, anxiety high, heart pounding. I lay in bed for several minutes, trying to talk myself back from that ledge of anxiety, trying to refocus my thoughts.
The clock radio clicked on, and a voice startedto sing:
You're the God of my days
King of my nights
Lord of my laughter
Sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise
The Love of my life
You never leave me
You are faithful
God of my days
I lay there and let the truths flood over me, letting them soak slowly into my soul. My God is God of my days. Such strength in that, such confidence. And that same in-control, never-wringing-His-hands God was also King of my night. While I tossed and struggled in the night, He was King, my faithful God, never leaving me, never turning His eye away. Ready to be my God in the new day, wanting to be clung to, promising never to leave me.
The anxiety ebbed away. Fear cannot live where love rules. Fear cannot thrive where the arms of your Father encircle you and where you are never alone.
You have to hear this! You can if you click here.
You awaken my heart
From slumbering
Meet me in mourning
And you speak to my grief
You're the light in my darkness
The delight of my eyes
The hope of the daybreak
When the sun's slow to rise
(Chorus)
I trust that every moment's in your hands
You're the God of my days
The King of my nights
Lord of my laughter
Sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise
The love of my life
You never leave me
You are faithful
God of my days
You unveil my eyes
Help me to see
The arms of my Father
Encircling me
You're a constant companion
I am never alone
Your love is the banner
That's leading me home
My eyes are on You
My hope is in You
My faith is in You
My eyes are on You
My hope is in You
My faith is in You
Hi Shelly
ReplyDeleteHope you've had better nights sleep now, I used to live in weston super mare just out side of Bristol, we used to catch the bus to bristol to go shopping!! do you miss it?
felicity xx
Shelley, that is so beautiful, so moving. Thankyou. Thankyou also for your lovely comments.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to be back over here catching up with your news and finding your posts stunningly lovely as ever.
x
Sumea
Oh, I love this! I, too, suffer from fear and anxiousness at night... my mind plays tricks on me (I even wake up, to see something standing there, only to see it disappear, and realize it's my tired eyes playing tricks on me!). It used to bother me, but I learned long ago to ask God to send an army of angels around my house, and guard me from the "spookies." Once I did that, my mind could FINALLY be at peace, and I could rest. It's so silly, I know, to still be 'afraid of the dark,' but sometimes you just can't help it! Maybe God's army will help you, too!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Beautiful post, Shelly...it made me feel peaceful to read it!
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog as I googled, "God and my imperfections" - this speaks volumes to me right now in some of the lessons God is walking me through in midst of harsh circumstances - thankyou for your brilliant honesty and heart for truths.
ReplyDelete