HOW LONG CAN YOU LAST?
Have you ever tried to function on one hour of sleep? If you are anything like me you find it hard to concentrate, or have quick reaction times, and even keep my eyes open as the day progresses. It is clear that I do not do my best work when I am struggling just to stay awake, let alone come up with some compelling ideas or literations. I have to ask myself, what was worth losing a whole day over? Was it something that could have been put off until I had some decent sleep?
I am sure there are those of you out there who snicker, and think, ‘well, it depends on what you call worth it.’ Trust me when I tell you, trying to function on one hour’s sleep is like performing under the influence of alcohol.
What are some of the effects of sleep deprivation? According to MD health.com not getting enough sleep can cause death, fatigue which leads to accidents, it leads to health issues, and can cause depression. Sleep deprivation also hurts the learning process and impairs judgment. Sleep deprivation can cause skin damage, weight gain, loss of sex drive, and forgetfulness. During sleep we rebuild our immune system, it helps our heart vessels heal and rebuild so they can maintain blood pressure and sugar levels, hormone production happens during sleep which can affect fertility. Sleep deprivation affects the prefrontal cortex in the brain, which handles reasoning, and the amygdala which deals with the emotion. Lack of sleep may also make it hard for a person to form new memories, which affects learning.
Needless to say, trying to function on little or no sleep is inefficient, and detrimental to our health. To be at your full capacity you need to refill your energy level by getting enough sleep.
Now let’s apply this same analogy to your relationship with God. Instead of calling it sleep deprivation let’s call it spiritual deprivation. If you cannot survive on one hour of sleep per day, how can you expect to survive on one hour of spiritual renewal per week? What are the effects of spiritual deprivation? Just like your body, your spiritual health depends on a constant renewal. You are depleted of wisdom and knowledge which comes from reading and learning from God’s word, and constant communication, (walking and talking with the Lord).
When you are weak, from lack of food and sleep, you are open to attacks from viruses and other harmful outside influences. So just like getting replenished when you get some sleep, you can remain healthy. You must replenish your spiritual health with knowledge from God’s Word. You cannot ward off the temptation of Satan if you are not armed to the teeth with the arsenal that is found in the Bible. You must stay in constant communication to know how to avoid the pitfalls in life. Who wouldn’t want to go through life with their best friend by their side?
As parents we must teach our children the importance of a daily walk with Jesus. This is done by example, reading the Word of God, and with prayer. That way we can arm our children for whatever the devil may throw at them.
We as writers always want to write a happy ending. The reality of the world isn’t that easy, because it is full of evil people doing evil things. We must do our part to help prepare people for any adversity that may come their way both physically and spiritually.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 1:1-2
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Job 22:21
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.2 Thessalonians3:3
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11
Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:11-18