What do you do to improve your sleep?
Work during the day, sleep at night—conventional wisdom. But if you have no muscle to stretch, no weariness to lay down, then you have no need of sleep—a truth for all ages. This question is often asked and answered, yet who truly follows the wise?
Generally, I have no sleeping issues, though occasional light sleep does occur—due to overstretched muscles, a restless mind, or a pleasant surprise. The common advice—eight hours a day for good health—doesn’t trouble me, though I know it adds stress to those who already have fewer hours for sleep. To me, whether deep or light, eight hours or fewer—it is better than no sleep at all.
My secret for good sleep began in childhood, when my parents taught me this famous Chinese proverb: “A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder.” I grew up bearing witness to its truth. But those with a heavily loaded heart—who can save them?
As I matured, I came to realise that a clear conscience is not wholly clear, for sin causes every conscience to fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Yet repentance—and the new birth it brings—can restore a clear conscience, granting a sweet and fearless sleep (Proverbs 3:24).
Sleep refreshes the body—everyone desires this. But Scripture renews the spirit and soul—yet who comes to seek it? Replenishment? Repentance?
Scripture says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). The Lord Jesus Christ gives rest to all who are weary and burdened and come to Him (Matthew 11:28). For God grants sleep to those He loves (Psalm 127:2).
So today’s prompt asks for ways to improve sleep. I have shared mine. I hope you find yours—the One who embraces your spirit, soul, and body. And if you have not yet found Him, may my poem shed light in your seeking.
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✨ Wind · Spirit ✨
Blossoms bloom and wither—each in its season;
Gain and loss in life—each in its season.
Under the sun, all things have their hour;
The wind strikes the bell, yet wakes not the sleeper’s power.
God’s judgement, too, has its appointed day—
At night upon my bed, my spirit drifts, my soul sways, and I ponder deep.
Those who seek mercy shall find it granted;
Those who delight in vain things are downcast.
The night grows deep—the dawn draws near.
Who pursues the truth shall call and be heard;
Who chases falsehoods shall perish in the way.
The wind stills, the bell fades—each in its season.
O dreamer of vain dreams, why sleep on till the hour of death?
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en yan hua fang 