Waking during the night often brings anxious thoughts that can hound me for what seems like hours before falling back to sleep.  With a propensity towards anxiety, a good night’s sleep is imperative for me.  These interruptions have the potential to wear on my body & mind for days.  There is truly only one successful combatant against these, & any anxious thoughts: the Word of God.  When I have hidden the Word of God in my heart I am enabled to use the best “weapon of warfare” in the dark of the night. 

• "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”   2 Corinthians 10:3-5
• "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee".  Isaiah 26:3
  

Meredith & I were peeling, cutting & coring apples together & we were singing along to some rich hymns recorded by Fernando Ortega.  One hymn (written by Ortega himself, a modern-day hymn writer) brought to my mind all of what the Lord does to pour out His peace to me.  I am enabled through the power of the Living Word of God to cast down imaginations & bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ by keeping my mind stayed on Him…His Word given to me.
Here is the song that brought all this to my mind this morning:
Jesus King of Angels by Fernando Ortega

Jesus King of angels heaven's light
Shine Your face upon this house tonight
Let no evil come into my dreams
Light of heaven keep me in Your peace
Remind me how You made dark spirits flee
And spoke Your power to the raging sea
And spoke Your mercy to a sinful man
Remind me Jesus this is what I am

The universe is vast beyond the stars
But You are mindful when the sparrow falls
And mindful of the anxious thoughts
That find me, surround me and bind me

With all my heart I love You Sovereign Lord
Tomorrow let me love You even more
And rise to speak the goodness of Your name 
Until I close my eyes and sleep again

• "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".  Philippians 4:6-7

May the peace of Christ keep our hearts & minds.
Martha for all