You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! – Psalms 92: 4-5
I usually write these devotionals in the first-person “we,” “us,” and “our” form to indicate that I’m talking to myself just as much as I’m talking to others.
But today I have to leave y’all out and make this a first-person “I” narrative.
Because I have a testimony!
About seven years ago, I developed a chronic anxiety-induced sleep disorder brought on by PTSD.
Right before starting a new job, my anxiety spiraled way out of control because the new stressor was a huge trigger that caused a great deal of trauma to resurface.
And just like that, I was once again in a state where I couldn’t sleep.
The longer I stayed up, the more anxious I became, which in turn made falling asleep even harder.
Night after night, I would lay in bed tossing, turning, sometimes crying, and oftentimes shaking uncontrollably because my body was tired, but wasn’t able to rest.
And after a 48-hour stint without sleeping at all, I started having panic attacks with intense hot flashes and scary heart palpitations.
So into the 3rd night of no sleep, I took myself to the emergency room at 3am to get sedated.
And let me tell you, I can count on one hand the number of times I fell asleep at night without being sedated in a span of nearly 5 years.
The disorder was vicious. I couldn’t even yawn naturally.
- I took Ambien, which made me sleepwalk and talk with no memory of the occurrence.
- I took meds that sedated me so heavily that I almost fell asleep at the wheel of my car.
- On particularly rough nights, I took multiple pills and nearly collapsed trying to get out of bed the next morning.
- I tried Acupunture
- My psychiatrist and therapist couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t sleep
- A spiritual priest told me to put garlic on my forehead.
- I prayed multiple times.
Nothing worked.
But in 2019, at the suggestion of a youth Pastor, I set out to read the Bible in 365 days.
Early in February when I was in the book of Exodus or Leviticus, I had a talk with God and told Him that I was trying very hard to learn His Word, understand it, and believe it.
And I prayed, Lord, if it’s in your will to heal me of this sleep disorder, that’s my humble request. But if I have to take meds and suffer for the rest of my life, then so be it.
The very next week I was sleeping soundly without any medication.
And after over 3 years, I’m sleeping so well that with the exception of a few scattered incidences, I’ve forgotten what insomnia even feels like.
You can’t tell me my God isn’t GREAT.
I sing and cry tears of joy because of what He’s done for me.
If you have a testimony about something amazing God has done for you, please let me know in the comments below! I want to know what He did for you!
Be blessed,
Alexia
so very glad you can now sleep with ease! god is so good!
Yes, Ayanna! God is so amazing and beautiful!
Yesterday was a special day. One year ago yesterday my son whom I gave up for adoption found me. Extra blessing, I married his dad less than a year after he was born, and we have 2 more children. I am so blessed that the son I prayed for for 43 years found us. I am hopeful he will trust Jesus for salvation some day soon. It has been tough, last fall I had a terrible time when he stopped communicating with us for a month or so. It was hard, I thought I would die of heartbreak. But Praise the Lord God is so faithful and He is drawing me close to Him through this situation. The pain is hard but I would go through it again to be closer to my Lord and Savior. Thank you for your ministry.
Amen, Margaret!! That’s phenomenal!! If you intercede for your son in faith, I believe that God will be faithful to save him. Keep trusting and believing!! God is right there with you and knows every ache and pain you feel. Be encouraged!
I remember when I got stuck out of nowhere. I had always been healthy all my life, but what I thought was just a low grade temperature changed my life forever. I suffered from migraines everyday for 3 1/2 months, I was bed bound, unable to walk without assistance, I couldn’t prepare my own meals, I used a stool to stay upright in the shower because I couldn’t stand too long, I could no longer drive, go to the grocery store, take care of my son.. I lost my father in law, a little over a year later I lost my mother in law, I lost my house & all sense of control. But even thru it all God blessed me. He led me right back to Him. Me, my husband and son started going to church regularly for the first time ever. We served in the church, rededicated our lives back to Christ. My son was saved. Even though my health was not fully restored I was able to stand up and shower, I was no longer bed bound, I found a team of Drs that cared to figure out what was going on with me, I finally received management for my pain, even tho I later went thru withdrawal I found natural medicine to help. I was able to do more with my husband and son. The list goes on and on.. I am just truly blessed with where God has me.. my life is a testimony everyday!
Stuck – sick.* sorry, my carpal tunnel is messing up my ability to type 😩