Sleep is important. The Bible talks about sleep as a reward for those God loves (Psalm 127:2) and Sleepless nights are on the list of sufferings that Paul endured for the Gospel (2 Corinthians 6:5). Even Jesus, God in the flesh, made time to sleep, most famously during storms (Matthew 8:24). God created our bodies to sleep regularly and therefore sleep has a purpose; it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

Sleep cleans our minds, heals our bodies, resets our mood, and helps our weight loss efforts be more effective. A rested body has more energy to exercise, makes better decisions about food, has more weight-loss-related hormones pumping through it, and lets go of extra weight easier.

Today’s post is short, but I encourage you to click on the links above for a reminder of why sleep is so important. If you have trouble getting to bed on time, don’t forget one powerful resource at your disposal: your husband.

Bonus material:

One can argue that “sleep” and “rest” are two different things, but I think we modern humans struggle with both and the Bible talks about both, so here is some extra motivation to kick back, conk out, and stop striving.

God set an example: “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:3)

Rest as eternal reward: “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:9-11) 

Rest is good: “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1)