Did you know over seventy countries participate in Daylight Savings Time? Still, that’s less than forty percent of the countries in the world. And, each country has their own ways of using this time change—some do it before or after we do in the United States.
With a few exceptions, most Americans will be changing their clocks this weekend. So consider this your friendly reminder to ‘spring forward’ one hour! Otherwise you will show up to work or church an hour late. (You’re welcome!) 🙂
While it is wonderful to have more daylight, the time change messes with our sleeping patterns. While we really only lose one hour on one day, it takes a little while to adjust. Kids get up an hour earlier, which can upset morning and evening routines. Also, there are increased health risks associated with the time change and the lack of sleep overall.
It’s no surprise that several studies have shown we need more sleep than we are getting. Like many other people, I often stay up late and get up early, still trying to run the entire solar system. Remember, S.T.R.E.S.S.?? It’s a hard habit to break!
After a little nudge from the Lord, my primary goal for the year is to… get more sleep. Like a minimum of seven hours on most nights. I know, I’m living on the edge! That’s still not enough; however, I am working on daily progress. And now that I am getting more shuteye, I certainly notice when I average closer to five or six hours.
Getting more sleep means…less wakeful hours…and thus, less time to accomplish tasks. So, I am trusting God to help me use my time wisely and accomplish all He has for me to do.
Yes, this means turning off the lights when I still feel the need to do something! It’s a struggle because I like to check things of my to-do list. For example, I often have to postpone household chores… 😉 But who really cares about dusting, anyway?!
Mainly, I aim for a more consistent bedtime routine, and swapping stimulating activities (ie. electronics) with more quiet tasks like reading books (another personal goal). But I am still learning what works best.
Often, it comes down to realizing I am wasting time or am no longer productive. Just last night, I almost got sucked into an online article about ‘secrets’ to help you sleep better. Awesome! But then I thought, “Um, I could actually just go to sleep!”
Going to bed earlier has its perks—like actually waking up rested and unhurried. But maybe the time change doesn’t affect you this weekend. Even if you just have trouble waking up or going to bed at a certain time, here are some helpful Bible verses to consider:
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3).
“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you” (Psalm 25:4-5).
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 59:16).
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life” (Psalm 143:8).
“It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know He enjoys
giving rest to those He loves?” (Psalm 127:2).
Dear reader, God does not want us to be exhausted. Let’s rest and trust Him to help us make wise and healthy choices all throughout the day.
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Father God, thanks for Your steadfast love. Your mercies are new every morning. Teach me to number my days. Help me use my time wisely and trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Questions: Do you struggle with getting adequate sleep? What is one change you could make in your routine? Do you have any other helpful key Scriptures to share?
I certainly can relate to this one! Thank you Natalie for reminding me…… Note to self: Change whatever is necessary to get at the minimum of 7 hours sleep. Have a great day, and I will pray for us both to make adjustments as needed, and to get a good night’s sleep!
Hi Tammy! On days I “still” don’t make my goal, I try really hard to stay in bed longer. Thanks to my FitBit, I have realized I have to be in bed longer than 7 hours to actually get that amount of sleep. LOL, that was an eye-opener for sure! Have a great day too!
I have been falling asleep ok, but then waking up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. My head fills with ideas for homework, to do lists for the following day and thoughts about whatever is going on in my life or the lives of those who are around me. Sometimes it will take me an hour or more to fall back asleep. I know it sounds kind of bad, but lately I have found that praying puts me to sleep in those dark hours. For example, instead of worrying about my to do list, I pray for the tasks that need to be done and ask God for help in sorting out what is truly important and what can wait or be done by someone else. At first I felt bad for falling asleep on God, but I think the peace I feel after handing my worries over to Him relaxes me enough to go back to sleep.
Hi Livi, that’s great you pray through the problems. I think of Psalm 23 often during those times, knowing that God gives us rest and peace.
I almost included this verse from Psalm 63:6 that says, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” (It didn’t quite fit with the rest of the verses, but hopefully it encourages you!) I know God is pleased anytime we come to Him. And He extends us grace when we are exhausted too!
Thanks Natalie! I needed all of these reminders today. I am especially reminded that God wants us to take the time to rest, I need to work on that! The reminder about daylight savings, was also very helpful : ) On daylight savings I have been known to be an hour early or an hour late for church depending on the time of year. It may or may not have happened last fall, hehehe.
Hi Elissa! Growing up, my family made it to church an hour late during the time change. It just so happened that we were visitors that week on Easter. We thought it was odd to see Jesus coming OUT of the tomb at the ‘beginning’ of the service…only to have it conclude a few minutes later! Talk about embarrassing! 🙂