“The day seems long, but the nights are odious; no sleep, but dreams; no dreams but visions strange.” – Phillip Sidney

I believe each of us can relate to times in our lives where the days seemed to drag and the nights were filled with thoughts and visions that kept our sleep at bay.  I love how Phillip Sidney uses the word odious (a good Scrabble word!) to define an unpleasant night where staring at the ceiling makes the darkness and emptiness repulsively linger on and on.

What brings about the illusion of days that seem like weeks and nights that feel unending?  What is happening in your own life right now that triggers this mindset?

For me, it comes about via worry, uncertainty, a longing for better days, or the impatience that surrounds waiting for any kind of positive change to occur.  At times, it’s driven by irrepressible thoughts of the past – wishing things would have turned out differently than they have.  Sometimes, I find my thoughts racing to come up with a solution to an insurmountable problem – one that has no obvious answer.  And then, there are times when the cinema of my mind keeps replaying the same old movie reel of past hurts, mistakes, and immutable choices I’ve made.  When the brain won’t shut off, the days are an eternity and the nights seem endless.

When facing moments like these my friend, I am learning to catch myself immersed in tainted, human thinking and transitioning those thoughts into a spiritual mindset filled with deeper truth and clarity.

Here are some examples of what I’m talking about and hopefully these might assist you during similar moments in your own life.

When life seems empty and meaningless, realize you are not living a random, fate-driven existence, but one filled with specific, crafted purpose.  What is happening in the moment is a part of that plan.  No one, not even you on your own, can change the course of God’s purposes being fulfilled in your life.  God never acts randomly or without intention, so even in the empty, meaningless periods, he is working out His plans for you.

“The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, your loving devotion endures forever.”  – Psalm 138:8 BSB

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  – Ephesians 2:10 NIV

When loneliness seems overwhelming and there is no one by your side, realize you are never alone.  Even within the long days and endless nights, you have a constant companion – living inside of you.  He is a continual source of wisdom, protection, comfort, guidance, and providence – a God that never leaves your side.

“For He has said, “I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN, or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!”. – Hebrews 13:5 Amplified Bible

“Do not be frightened, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

“If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” – Psalm 139:8 NIV

When sickness has consumed you and the disease is irreversible, realize the Source behind what keeps your heart beating, the Architect of each cell within your body, and the center of your healing and wholeness, is God Almighty.  What seems impossible to overcome within our human health and wellness is NOT impossible for God!

“I am the Lord who heals you.” – Exodus 15:26 NIV

“Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” – Psalm 103:3 NIV

“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved.” – Jeremiah 17:14 NIV

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37 NIV

When you’re tired and have no more energy to keep going – when life has taken everything out of you and you have nothing left to give both physically and mentally, realize that God and his supernatural strength are simply a prayer away.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 NIV

“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13 NLT

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1 NIV

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.” – Psalm 28:7 NIV

When you’re anxious or uncertain about what tomorrow brings, realize that God has already been there – making your crooked places straight.  Never forget that your path through life has already been established – making worry or uncertainty futile. 

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” – Psalm 139:16 NLT

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9 ESV

“The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.” – Isaiah 14:24 NIV

When you are in need of peace or seek closure in any part of your life, realize that God is the source of a peace and understanding that is profound – beyond human comprehension.  Remember that God is in complete control of the doors that open and shut in our lives.  We need to trust in him regardless of what unfolds within our lives.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3 ESV

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7 NLT

“When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.” – Isaiah 22:22 NLT

When you need grace and forgiveness – losing sleep over what you’ve said or done, realize that you have been forgiven ever since Christ uttered the words, “It is finished” on Calvery.  God’s forgiveness and His grace are limitless – always available, especially in our greatest times of need.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”   – Lamentations 3: 22-23 NIV

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” – Isaiah 43:25 NIV

“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” – John 1:16 NIV

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2: 8-9 NIV

My friend, whatever circumstances are at the center of your endless days and sleepless nights, learn to experience them through a spiritual lens – one focused on a God who created those days and nights in the first place and who has created you to live out his purposes within them.

Lean on him to fill up your emptiness and to calm your uncertainties.  Trust him to be your healer and the instigator of the miracles you seek.  Open your heart to his limitless grace and forgiveness – knowing his mercies are new every morning.  Have confidence that He will fulfill His purposes for your life – opening doors no man can shut and shutting doors that cannot be humanly opened again.  Rest in the peace that only He can provide – knowing an Omnipresent God is always with you.

He is in control of those seemingly endless days and is by your side during those long, sleepless nights.  They all have meaning.  Cling to Him and the purposes he has within them for you and your destiny 😊

God bless!