Sleep captures me every night.  I can drink coffee, sing, watch a movie to delay sleep.  But sleep will come over me like a fog rolling into a valley.  Sleep wins.  We all experience this mysterious sleep every day. God gave us this turn-off switch to nourish and refresh our bodies and minds.  
Because we live in a sin-filled world, our sleep can be plagued by nightmares.  Some of the nightmares are terrifying when we finally wake up in a sweaty state of fear.  We can feel so very vulnerable. This can be especially distressing for parents to see their kids suffer through nightmares. I cannot even begin to say I know all the reasons people experience nightmares!

But, I do know from God’s Word, our choices in life can affect our sleep.  
Proverbs 3:21 “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight.” If you do this--
Proverbs 3:24 “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 56:4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me.”
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord make me dwell in safety.”

When sleep begins to capture you:

• Read God’s Word before you drift off to sleep.
• Praise the Lord who will deliver you from all your fears.
• Trust in the Lord to watch over you when you are sleeping.
• Put your safety in the hands of the Lord.
• Fill your mind with Scripture-based Christian music.

I AM READY FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.  ARE YOU?

FOR PARENTS:

• Read God’s Word every night to your kids.  Memorize Scriptures above.
• Encourage your kids to talk about their nightmare. Remind them that God is more powerful than their nightmare.  Pray with them for deliverance from the nightmare.
• Every night play Scripture-based Christian Music for your kids while they are drifting off to sleep.
• Praise the Lord with your kids when they have a sweet night’s sleep.