This site uses cookies to provide you with more responsive and personalized service and to collect certain information about your use of the site.  You can change your cookie settings through your browser.  If you continue without changing your settings, you agree to our use of cookies.  See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Daily Devotional -  Powerful Prayers of the Bible Header 2021-04 Today in the Word Header Graphics

Question and Answer | Insomnia

Why do people suffer from insomnia when they seem to have a very safe and happy life? Does the Bible mention our need for sleep, and why it sometimes escapes us?

Sleep is one of God’s most precious gifts for our bodies. We need sleep for optimal health. In Genesis, God created a natural order to our lives by separating night from day (Gen. 1:3–4), and He even designated a day for rest (Gen. 2:2–3). After a solid night of rest, generally seven to nine hours, our bodies feel energized for a brand-new day. However, circumstances that occur during our hours of wakefulness may sometimes disrupt our restorative hours of sleep. Stressful life events (such as the pandemic), problems in relationships, changes in routine, positive and negative experiences, may impact our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

We see this throughout the Bible when kings could not sleep due to the weight of responsibility or life-changing decisions (Est. 6:1; Dan. 6:18; John 4:6). This is not a new problem, but is experienced by believers and unbelievers alike. At any point in our lives, unexpected circumstances have the potential to disrupt our peace of mind and our valuable sleep.

BY Dr. Valencia Wiggins, PhD, L.P.C.

Valencia Wiggins grew up in Ohio and graduated from Wheaton College. She earned a Masters in Clinical Psychology at Wheaton Graduate School, and PhD in Clinical Psychology at Walden University. She has taught at Moody Seminary for four years. In addition, Dr. Wiggins works in private practice as a clinical psychologist. Her clinical work includes sexual abuse, trauma, grief and loss, eating disorders, family issues, depression, adolescents, and women’s issues.

Find Questions and Answers by Month