11/3 2 Timothy 1-4

Although it happens less frequently now than in the past, there are still times I wake up in the wee hours of the morning, long before the alarm, with worries about work.  These sleep-depriving concerns may be about a specific issue or just a disquietude about all the requirements and responsibilities of my job.

In the past, I have gotten up and watched television or gone in to work at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning.  It has been my experience that both these are temporary fixes and do little to ease my mind or spirit. Tonight was one of those wee-hour wake-ups.  However, this time I turned to the NT90 Bible reading for the day. 

As I read through 2 Timothy, one verse in particular jumped out at me.  Chapter 2:7- "For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."  The Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines timid as "lacking in courage or self-confidence".  I would argue that when I awake with these worries, I am not so much lacking "self-confidence" but God-confidence.  Confidence that "even when I am faithless, he is faithful" (2 Timothy 3:13).  Confidence that God has plans for my prosperity and wants to give me hope and a future.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

I doubt I will every fully defeat the early-morning-wake-up-worry monster, but at least I know that God's word not ESPN or data analysis is a much more reassuring, calming place to spend these early morning hours.

Any other wee-hour worries out there?  What helps get you through those times?