A Simple Solution to Tossing and Turning 10/15/2014 Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.” Suddenly the pressure was gone — my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. Psalm 32:5 When I (Les) was working on my doctoral dissertation I was immersed in heady studies on guilt and remorse. I spent countless hours in the library researching the subject. And the research librarian who was assisting me not only knew the library inside and out, she came to know me and my research topic well. Most days, when I came into the library and headed for my usual study, Carol, the librarian, would stop by with a few more articles or research leads for me. On one occasion, however, she dropped off a paper with an inscription saying, Thought this was funny. The page contained this little story: A shoplifter writes to a department store and says, Ive just become a Christian, and I cant sleep at night because I feel guilty. So heres $100 that I owe you. The former shoplifter signed his name, and in a little postscript at the bottom added, If I still cant sleep, Ill send you the rest. Few things prohibit a good night’s sleep more than a nagging conscience. Who among us hasn’t tossed and turned into the wee hours because of remorse about saying an unkind word or behaving in a more selfish than usual fashion? A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow. Charlotte Bronte Guilt has robbed countless couples of a good night’s rest. But it doesn’t have to. There is a simple remedy to this late night torment and it involves making a clean start. Tonight, as you are getting tucked in, consider anything that might be nagging your conscience. Maybe it was the way you brushed off your spouse’s request for a favor earlier in the week. Maybe you barked an order when you were under pressure. Perhaps it was a critical attitude or a snide remark you regret saying. Most of us have little difficulty recalling something we later regretted having said or done. Whatever might be tugging at your conscience, why don’t the two of you go to bed tonight with clean sheets, with a fresh start? How? Saying a simple “I’m sorry” may be the ticket. A good old-fashioned apology may be just what the doctor ordered for allaying anything that’s pestering your principles. A clean confession accompanied by heart-felt sorrow can give both of you the best night’s sleep you’ve had in months. Reflect and Respond When was the last time you uttered the phrase “I’m sorry” to your spouse?
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:11:01 +0000
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