One of my husband's recent trips out of the country was at a particularly unstable time in our country. In addition to my full-time job, managing my kids' schedules and the household chores which are normally shared with my husband, I had the added stress of not having easy access to some basics – like electricity, gas for the car, and bread. 

We managed just fine, but when my husband got home at the end of the week, I had just put dinner on the table and I sat down on the couch and promptly fell into a deep sleep… at about 7pm! While I was completely out, he fed the kids, picked up our daughter from basketball practice, did the dishes and got the kids into bed. I was so asleep I had no idea all that was happening around me. 

I slept deeply for the first time since he traveled, but it was a deeper sleep than what normally comes at the end of long and busy week. I slept so soundly because I was at peace knowing he could and would take care of everything that needed to be done… it was no longer all on me. 

I imagine Jesus had a similar feeling when He was sleeping through the storm. Though the waves were so big they were flooding the boat, Jesus slept. Jesus knew that His Father was in control, so He was at peace enough to sleep through the furious waves crashing over the side of the boat (Mark 4:35-41). 

The psalmist made a similar claim. Though surrounded by his enemies and former friends who wanted to do him harm, He was able to sleep in peace, because he knew God would keep him safe (Psalm 4:8).

When I am anxious or stressed about something, I find myself struggling to fall asleep and to stay asleep. Sleep doesn't come when my spirit is not at peace. But more often than not, my spirit is not at peace because I've forgotten Who is in control. 

“But take heart!” Jesus reminds us in John 16, “I have overcome the world.” And this should give us peace. Peace enough to sleep deeply knowing we are cared for by a loving and all-powerful God.