Many of us remember the Snickers candy bar commercials featuring well-known celebrities with a sour attitude and a friend saying, “You’re not yourself when you’re hungry.” Of course, as the commercial goes, a Snickers candy bar is the solution.
The same could be said about sleep. In ministry leadership, and most other lines of work, you’re not at your best when you’re sleepy.
An article from Sleepfoundation.org states, “Most adults should get at least seven hours of sleep each night. While sleeping, the body performs a number of repairing and maintaining processes that affect nearly every part of the body.”
Professional athletes also recognize the value of sleep. It was reported in 2014 that basketball great LeBron James and tennis legend Roger Federer were getting 11-12 hours of sleep per night.
One of our Kentucky Baptist pastors, Marc Webb, has recently written and published a book about sleep. In “A Theology of Sleep,” Webb writes, “Sleep is an inherent part of who we are as humans, something we all need regardless of age or background. It is vital for our bodies, health and longevity. But sleep is so much more than just a physical benefit or part of our daily routine. Our nightly rest also carries immense ramifications for our spiritual lives.”
Here are three important lessons that every leader needs to remember about sleep:
1. Sleep reminds us that there is a God, and we are not Him. The Bible says in Psalm 121:4 that the Lord never sleeps. “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” The creator of heaven and earth does not need eight hours of sleep, an afternoon nap or a sleep-vacation. God does not sleep — but we must. When we lay our head on a pillow and close our eyes at night, we are exercising faith that God protects, provides and cares for us — even when we are at rest.
2. Sleep reminds us that we are not our best when sleep-deprived. Sleep deprivation can be compared to drinking alcohol. A study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Impairments due to sleep deprivation are similar to impairments due to alcohol intoxication!” I can confirm categorically that many of my most egregious leadership foibles happened when I had not had enough sleep. I need 7.5 hours of sleep per night. I can get by with six hours, but I am not at my best. When sleep deprived, I am more likely to be short with people, grouchy and impatient.
3. Sleep is a gift from God to us and we should rejoice in it. Psalm 127:2 reminds us, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” According to the above-mentioned article, there are at least eight benefits of proper sleep. They include improved mood, healthy heart, regulated blood sugar, improved mental function, restored immune system, stress relief, athletic performance and maintaining healthy weight. God designed us to function at our best with appropriate amounts of activity accompanied by plenty of good sleep.
Certainly, there are certainly seasons in life when normal sleep patterns are interrupted but, to the degree we can exercise control, we all need sleep.
Determine how much sleep you need to function at your best and then discipline yourself to get that much each night. Doing so honors God, is good for you and will make you a greater blessing to those around you and those you lead.
Dr. Todd Gray 