When insomnia can be a good thing

I woke up in the wee hours of the morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. What I did next is important. But first I need to point out that insomnia is often a trigger and a symptom of depression. When I couldn’t get back sleep within about thirty minutes, I decided to get up and go downstairs to the sofa. I had a very quick moment when I almost panicked——but I didn’t.

Here’s what I did instead. I admitted that there was something that was bothering me. I also admitted that there was nothing I could do about it. It  was not my dilemma and it could  certainly affect me but,

I knew I would survive.

Besides, pain is as much a part of life as is joy. I decided if it ended up hurting me, then I would let it hurt. I refused to let it make me bitter or mad. If I had, I knew the pain would last longer and hurt more. Life is like the weather-sometimes it’s sunny, sometimes it’s cloudy.

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We appreciate the sunshine because of the rain.

Besides, rain doesn’t kill anyone.

I eventually fell asleep feeling a sense of peace. I decided I had too much good in my life to be hurled into a pit of depression again. I decided to protect my heart. God says we should guard our heart. I understand that to mean that I don’t have to put myself in harm’s way. I can let other’s actions and their consequences remain with them.

I woke up the next morning still feeling peaceful and that sense of peace stayed with me.

PS (I wrote this post over four years ago. And guess what? I couldn’t even tell you what was bothering me so much. Obviously, it wasn’t that bad or I would remember it. I think the lesson is really in this postscript. We make far too much of situations sometimes. We allow ourselves to “buy ” into a  drama that isn’t ours and we end up with nights like the one I described)

Rebecca

Hi. I'm so glad you're here. My blog focuses on faith and mental health issues such as mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and dysthymia (chronic low moods that don't qualify as depression.) I post DIY and decorating projects when I can. My book, "Depression Has A Big Voice. Make Yours Bigger! (Expanded Edition), is on sale at all online retailers. I have a Psychology degree and post-graduate courses in Clinical Pastoral Education. I am a former hospital chaplain, Bible teacher, and retreat/conference inspirational speaker. Thank you for visiting and may you feel God's presence today.

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