Monday's Musing: Sleepy Temptations

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  - James 1:5 (KJV)

 Ah, sleep....it’s nice, isn’t it? I’m talking about the good kind of sleep, where your mind and body are both renewed and refreshed. Last week I was definitely not getting enough of it. Oh, I was going to bed on time and falling asleep just fine, but other forces were invading on my rest. 

My husband is more of a night owl than I am and some nights I wake up when he comes to bed. My sweet miniature poodle was itchy from a recent haircut and I could hear her rolling and scuffling around in the living room. Other sounds –squeaky box springs, neighbors slamming car doors, squeals of teenagers playing nighttime hide and seek in the wooded park behind our home…quality sleep was just not possible.

I'm worth a little lost sleep, right?

I don’t know about you, but when I’m tired it’s not a good thing. I have less patience and am much more susceptible to temptations. I think the devil knows that and tries to use it to his advantage. We must realize that as Christians and be vigilant.

When I’m subsisting on a serious lack of z’s, my brain is basically mush. I run on auto-pilot and have to be very careful not make poor choices. Satan knows that I am vulnerable and he uses every tactic that he can to get me to sin. He makes things not work according to plan in order to frustrate me  - I must watch my tone of voice. He shows me things that I don’t agree with – I must choose not to argue. Satan points out prayers that have yet to be answered in order to shake my faith – I must stand firm and wait for God’s timing. He tempts me to “relax” with an alcoholic drink or an “R” rated movie – I don’t even like alcohol or enjoy dirty or scary movies! That is just Satan seeing if he can make me his puppet – trying to get me to do things I normally wouldn’t do.

A few years ago, I did submit to temptations like those. My defenses were low and I had an “anything goes” attitude with the built-in excuse of not getting enough sleep. Since rededicating my life to God, He has shown me when I am most apt to give in to temptations. It’s when I’m tired. One of the most important prayers I can utter is for protection from temptations. I am so thankful that the Lord opened my eyes to see when I am most vulnerable so instead I can be most vigilant. 

Linking up with these glorious blogs!