Have you ever fallen asleep in a movie theatre, a classroom, or while waiting for a bus? If you’re not sure, then that probably means you have, and that would account for that movie plot which just didn’t make sense, the “F” on that biology test, and the bus that never showed up. Besides the aforementioned events, falling asleep in places where most people remain “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” can be an embarrassing occurrence.
While there are many medical reasons for lack of sleep, one of the main causes of sleep deprivation is self-induced. We don’t sleep because we don’t make time to sleep. Our world has become such a busy place, most of us picture sleep as a physiological nuisance that limits our ability to experience life on a grander scale. In reality, lack of sleep can cause us to feel exhausted, experience mood swings, and have trouble concentrating on our work or play. (1)
Genesis 1:26 (NIV) says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’” If we are made in God’s likeness and made by God, surely He knew what He was doing when he made sleep a part our daily routine. It is our time to recharge our physical, mental, and even spiritual batteries.
When we try to evade sleep, we put our over all health in jeopardy and we ignore God’s call to treat our physical bodies with the respect they deserve. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 19-20 (NIV)
The human body is an intricate machine, and modern science is almost always discovering new information about the different organs inside us that keep us going. But here are some things we do know: not getting the right amount of sleep can cause high blood pressure, irritability, and weight gain. (2) I think you will agree that all three of these things are ailments most would like to avoid.
God created men and women with physical needs and necessities. The necessity of sleep may give us less time to do the things we want, but those video games, movies, and late night snacks will still be around come morning time. Let your body work the way God intended it to. Get the sleep you need and take care of the temple God has blessed you with.
(1) More Focus Group Inc. The Causes, Effects, and Dangers of Sleep Deprivation Site.
[updated 09 April 2007; cited April 18, 2007] Available from
http://www.sleep-deprivation.com/index.php3
(2) More Focus Group Inc. Sleep Deprivation – The Effects of Lack of Sleep Site.
[updated 09 April 2007; cited April 18, 2007] Available from
http://www.sleep-deprivation.com/html/lack-of-sleep.php3
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