top of page
Search

Finding Peace for a Racing Mind (Psalm 16)


Insomnia

I’ve been struggling with insomnia lately, and it’s the worst. If you know me well, you know I love my sleep and take it very seriously. I have a nighttime routine—I love listening to the Bible read aloud on the Dwell app, I avoid overhead lights, I journal and pray, and I try to end each evening focused on gratitude and contentment.


With all of that in mind, I’m sure you can imagine how frustrating it is to wake up at 2:30 a.m., already thinking about the next day or week, unable to shut my brain off from everything on my to-do list. With the holiday season upon us, I’m already creating lists of gifts I want to buy for my daughter, nieces, and nephew for Christmas. My husband and I also have several important decisions ahead for our family, and my mind gets weighed down by the responsibilities and burdens of life. In those restless hours, I find myself longing for peace for my racing mind.


Can you relate? Maybe it’s not staring at the ceiling for an hour, but perhaps it’s zoning out in intrusive thoughts while driving to work. Or maybe, instead of engaging in worship at church, you’re mentally preparing for the upcoming week (guilty!).


Sometimes it takes me too long to take my thoughts captive and admit that I am not in control—at least not in the way I want to be. That realization can be hard for anyone, but if you’re a follower of Jesus, admitting it is often the first step toward true freedom.


Lately I’ve sensed the Lord nudging me to memorize the entirety of Psalm 16. There is so much wisdom and comfort packed into this short psalm from David. In the CSB translation, it’s even titled, “Confidence in the Lord.” Let’s read it together, imagining David wrestling with the same anxious thoughts we face:


Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.

I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you."

As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones.

All my delight is in them.

The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves will multiply;

I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,

and I will not speak their names with my lips.

Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing;

you hold my future.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I will bless the Lord who counsels me -

even at night when my thoughts trouble me.

I always let the Lord guide me.

Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices;

my body also rests securely.

For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.

You reveal the path of life to me;

in your presence is abundant joy;

at your right hand are eternal pleasures.


As I reflect on Psalm 16, I’m reminded of Isaiah 55:11: “My word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty…” Whatever verses stood out to you, I trust that was the Holy Spirit speaking through God’s Word. Here are the lines I’m holding onto when my controlling, racing mind tries to take over:


Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance


What a relief it is to serve a sovereign God. I’m grateful that He places boundaries in my life. I can trust that the city I live in, the job I have, and the people in my circle are not accidents but part of God’s redemptive plan—and that He intends to use me in those very places. I can rest in contentment because the Lord is my portion and my cup of blessing—not my circumstances, and not my accomplishments.


The verse I recite daily is this:


I will bless the Lord who counsels me - even at night when my thoughts trouble me. I always let the Lord guide me.


Even when I don’t know the outcome of what I’m praying for, I can bless the Lord because He guides me when I depend on Him. Repeating this verse reminds me that He is God and I am not. Only He knows what my life will look like a week, a month, or a year from now.


It’s natural for my thoughts to trouble me at night. But as I continue hiding God’s Word in my heart, the Holy Spirit gently brings truth to mind—truth that quiets my thoughts and settles my soul. As I read through the Psalms, I can't help but chuckle as God blatantly answers my prayer to relax with this simple verse:


"In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food - yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves." (Psalm 127:2)


FURTHER THOUGHT: Is there an area of your life that consumes your thoughts? Does it keep you up at night? Take a look at your morning and evening routines. Is there room to plant more of God’s Word in your heart so you can release your worries and trust that He is in control?


One thing the Dwell Bible app has taught me is the history and significance of breath prayers. Breath prayers are an ancient Christian practice designed to help believers “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Let’s try one from Psalm 16 to help surrender our thoughts and release control back to God.


BREATH PRAYER:

Inhale: My heart is glad

Exhale: I rest in safety


Before you move on with your day, take a moment to rest in God’s presence and invite Him into your thoughts through prayer.


PRAYER:

Lord, I thank you for Your Word and how it breathes life into my weary and anxious soul. Thank you for believers from centuries ago that created the practice of breath prayers so I can stay in constant communion with you. You are over every aspect of my life. Help me remember this as I fall asleep each night, knowing that you see me and take care of me. I love you so much for being such a loving Father. Amen.



ABOUT MORGAN BENNER

Morgan Benner

Morgan Benner is a woman transformed by faith, and if you had met her in the first 27 years of her life, you might not recognize her today. Jesus completely changed her, making her not just a different person but a new one. She now enjoys life with her best friend and husband, Derek, and their sweet three-year-old daughter, continually experiencing God’s love and growing in faith through her family. A creative at heart, Morgan uses her gifts to serve at her church—whether through video announcements, social media, small group leadership, or welcoming others into an encounter with Jesus. Professionally, she works as a Talent Acquisition Manager for a Fortune 500 company, a role that reflects her deep love for people. Known for meeting others right where they are, she is passionate about sharing the good news of the One who changed her life.


GET PRAYER 24/7 BY CLICKING HERE 




Comments

bottom of page