Night Terrors

The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. Luke 8:24

Recognize this situation? You’re lacking sleep. It’s late, maybe around midnight. And your thoughts go a bit… well, dark. This is a top time for doubt (over real life stuff, God’s goodness, or fear of something not quite explainable) to convince you that it’s just been lurking under the surface and is now coming out in full force. Sometimes it can even feel like, despite your Christianity and despite yourself, there are other cruel secrets of reality out there, and that a deep-level knowledge of them has been lurking somewhere below your faith in God.

Does that ever happen to you? Do you ever wonder why it happens? Don’t worry. You’re definitely not alone. It happened to the disciples in a night-time thunderstorm. To them, in the moment, doubt and fear felt like everything there was to reality. Here’s the thing though: these sorts of doubts don’t sum you up and they’re not the full measure of you. You can be aware of dangerous, not-from-God thoughts trying to get at you, but you don’t have to be scared. In the Bible the ‘enemy’ is described as prowling around ‘like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8). Watch out for that. But know there’s hope – there’s a Mystery, deeper still, beyond the darkness.

Prayer

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. (Luther’s Morning Prayer)