What I Do at Night When My Mind Is Racing

Hey friends! When I can’t sleep at night, and my mind is racing, this one thing has the ability to calm my mind and bring me to a place of peace and rest.

I’ve been doing it since seminary, over 10 years now. Back then, I had insomnia-induced depression from a bad relationship (that’s another story for another day!)

The Steps to Calm a Racing Mind

First, I have to catch my mind racing. I notice that my mind is going in a million directions at a million miles an hour.

Second, I take deep breaths. My sister-in-law once posted about 4-7-8 breathing, which has been so helpful for this practice.

Inhale deeply for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, then blow out through your mouth for 8 seconds. I usually do it 2-3 times and then my breathing slows down and comes under control.

Third, I do the thing. The thing that has worked for me for years now. (I realize this is the third thing I’m listing, but the first 2 get me in the right space for this.)

(And I haven’t had to use it quite as much since kids, since I’m usually so exhausted when my head hits the pillow that it’s lights out! But I did it just last night with the same outcome as always.)

So what is it?

What Works Best to Get to Sleep

Finally, what has worked for me is to recite the first 2 verses of Psalm 127. (Read it with me, don’t skip over it because it’s “Bible-speak,” as I’m often tempted to do. I’ll explain in a second.)

Unless the LORD builds the house,

The builders labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches the city,

The watchmen stay awake in vain.

Woe to you, who rise up early,

Who go to bed late,

Who eat the bread of anxious toil,

For the LORD gives sleep to his beloved.

Psalm 127:1-2 (translation my own)

The verses speak to an anxious mind. They speak to sleep and to the LORD’s faithful watching and protection. They speak to my soul, to my very core.

Unless the LORD does these things and watches over these things, I labor in vain. I must entrust them to the LORD. I stay awake in vain.

How true that my mind tends to race more when my body and heart are racing? You too?

The symmetry of the original Hebrew as I’ve translated it is soothing to my mind as well. There is repetition of words and concepts that is soothing. It helps me remember it.

How Psalm 27 Calms A Racing Mind

When I rise up early and stay awake late, burning the candle at both ends, I eat the bread of anxiety. I feed on fruitless work.

So I must heed its advice; I listen to His words.

Then, I pray them for myself as I recite them because I know he will give sleep to his beloved.

I must release the futility of my worry though.

And so I say the words of this psalm. I repeat them. I think about them. Over and over, as long as my mind needs it.

And then it gets harder to say the verse. It gets harder to put the words together. I keep losing my place. I forget what’s next. Finally, I can no longer say the words. I recognize that my mind is losing focus.

And I am asleep.

I pray you will find comfort in these words and in this psalm. “May the LORD watch over you and keep you. May he cause his face to shine upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26, paraphrase my own).

For other posts addressing fear during this pandemic, check out:

• Where Do You Turn When Life and Faith Collide?
• How I had to do something subversive when everyone else was panicking
• Where is God in our suffering?
• A simple way God gives us to get peace in our lives
• Strength for life’s trials

How can I be praying for you today? What is keeping you up at night? Will you try this and be patient with yourself? (Comment below.)