God's Note Pad

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me."

Proverbs 3:24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.


When I can't sleep, and thoughts begin to roll around in my head, I like to repeat one of my favorite Scripture verses. John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me."  This verse always calms me and helps me to drift off into a peaceful sleep. I also keep a little note pad and pencil near my bed. When I have a thought, I get up and write it on the note pad and then place the pencil down on the table.  And when I put the pencil down, the thought seems to be recorded and considered put to rest. 

Scripture tells us to prayerfully give our worries and anxieties to God. When we do this, He promises to give us peace and rest. But oh, this so very, very, hard for us to do!  So often, after we give our anxieties to the LORD, it is so tempting to gather up our worries, draw them back to us, and tuck them firmly back into our mind. When we do not completely give our anxieties and cares to God, it is like we are picking up that pencil by our bed... and repeatedly recording the same, exact thought on that little note pad, over and over, and over again.  

God invites us to cast all our anxieties on Him... to write them on His note pad and to put our pencil down. Not to be picked up again. Leave the anxiety and worry at His feet. Trust in Him, the One who is infinitely able to work in your life. The One who knows every hair on your head. The One who has a purpose and a plan for you. You are not meant to carry the burden... we are to trust in Him and cast all our cares on Him.  

Write it on God's note pad. Then put your pencil down. Sleep sweetly. Rest in the knowledge that He cares for you. Leave it at His feet.  And soak in the peace and presence of God.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for all those who cannot rest. Grant them Peace, LORD. Help them to write their cares on Your note pad and give them a peaceful rest, a refreshed mind, and a renewed desire to draw close to the One who loves them deeply. I pray this in the awesome name of Jesus.  Amen.