Jet lag

I am writing this at 4:21AM. I have already been awake twice this evening and tried unsuccessfully to go to sleep again. This is not uncommon for me as I travel frequently overseas and have never found a cure for jet lag.

I have tried everything suggested to get around the sleeplessness, but nothing seems to work for me. Sleeping pills don’t work. I can go to sleep but I can’t stay asleep. Staying up until normal bedtime when I have reached my destination doesn’t work. I still get up in the middle of the night. Trying to lull myself back to sleep with a good book or soft music doesn’t work. My mind still spins and my body rebels.

I know others who seem to have no problems with jet lag. One says she just stays up all night before a trip packing and attending to last minute details and when she gets on the airplane, she sleeps and is set for the new time zone upon arrival. She says, “I don’t let myself think about jet lag. I just set my watch for the new time upon takeoff and I’m good to go.”

 That doesn’t work for me either. I have seldom been able to sleep on an airplane.

There’s something about my internal clock that has to go through the long process of adapting to the new time zone whether I like it or not. Once I get over jet lag, I am a good sleeper; however, another trip is usually right around the corner and I have to tackle the problem once again.

The problem is I really need the sleep. Studies show that sleep is as important as diet and exercise. Dr. Charles Czeisler, head of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, calls sleep the “third pillar of health.”

I know Jesus understands my need for sleep because He took on human flesh. With His death and resurrection, He conquered all human frailties and no longer needs sleep. One day neither will I.

I am glad God’s children never have to be concerned about Him being sleepy or too tired to hear our prayers.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:1-4).