Dealing with the Three O’Clock in the Morning Anxieties

What guidance can we find in Jesus for the flood of anxieties that disturb our sleep?

Jesus teaching on the mountain, by Karl Block, 1877

It is a common experience for me to wake up about three o’clock in the morning to use the bathroom. Then I try to go back to sleep. But sleep eludes me. Instead powerful anxieties invade my consciousness. I lie there tossing them over in my mind, examining each facet, and then trying to determine how I will deal with the threatening situations they raise. It may take me an hour or more to fall asleep again.

I am not alone. One of my favorite bloggers is Michael Jinkins. He is currently pastor of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Orleans. Before that he was President of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

He writes a blog titled “Accidental Pilgrims.” I read it regularly because he always has something thought-provoking to say to me.

His most recent blog is titled “Buses and Anxieties.” As I read it, I found he experiences at night what I experience. That’s why I found myself paying close attention to what he has to say about how the teaching of Jesus addresses this common experience. I link to it because I think many of you my readers will find it an illuminating piece, too. It is well worth reading.

The Sign of True Religion

The acid test for whether we practice an authentic religious faith.

How do we discern authentic religious faith from the many phony imposters? That’s a question that has haunted me from my childhood. And I think Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount offers the most reliable tool for discernment: You will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16).

 Michael Jinkins, President of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, has recently posted several reflections on his blog Thinking Out Loud on the issue of how churches can be relevant to their culture…or not. In his first two postings on the subject he reflects on the trap posed by the obsession to be relevant, which often issues in being irrelevant.

In his third reflection posted today, he reflects on how the best way to be relevant is to be authentic, which leads him into the sure test for authentic faith. I think his thoughts are well worth thinking about. I urge you to read them.