Catching Zzz’s: What do you do when you can’t sleep? Count sheep?

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

—Philippians 4:8

A kid on Christmas Eve can hardly sleep. But it wasn’t even close to Christmas and I couldn’t sleep.

“Mom!” I called out.

She came to my bedside. “What’s the matter?”

“I can’t sleep.”

“Try thinking of good things,” she suggested.

“Like what?”

“Like Christmas and decorating the tree.”

So I imagined myself hanging the colorful bulbs on the branches, counting them as I went. I doubt that I reached 10 before I drifted off to sleep. After that night, I continued to use the decorating imagery to catch some zzz’s throughout my childhood years.

Later when I became a mom and heard that same plea from my then 3 year-old Emma, I told her what my mother had suggested and how I had thought of decorating the tree.

The next morning I asked her if she had thought of good things.

“Yeah,” she said, nodding her head.

“What did you think of?”

“I love God, I love Jesus, and I love you.”

I thought my heart would burst over her sweet sentiment. Clearly, she was counting her blessings without even realizing it.

Many people refer to counting sheep when sleep eludes them. This strategy involves envisioning sheep jumping over a fence and counting them, one by one, as they go. This exercise may have stemmed from the nightly practice of shepherds counting sheep to make sure all are accounted for before going to sleep themselves. The problem I have with this image is that the sheep are jumping over the fence. Are they jumping into or away from the protected confines of the field? Are they jumping into dangerous territory? How would that picture lull me to sleep?

Instead, it reminds me of thoughts that keep me up at night. When I am stressed or worried, my thoughts run hither and thither, one leading to another, jumping over the confines of safety, and entering into dangerous territory. I feel anything but peace.

The Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:6-8).

Praying and thinking about such things is a better strategy than counting sheep. However, there is a shepherding technique that is worth considering in my quest for rest. Shepherds carry a crook, which can be used in catching sheep that leave the fold. This reminds me of Apostle Paul’s admonition to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). I need to catch those worrisome thoughts before they spiral into greater negativity and fear.

So the next time I can’t catch some zzz’s, I’ll think on good things—and catch those wandering thoughts that want to lead me down the wrong path.

Dear Jesus,

You are my Good Shepherd. You make me lie down in green pastures, You lead me beside quiet waters, You refresh my soul. You guide me along the right paths for your name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:1 – 4). In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).

Amen.