When Life Keeps You Up at Night

It’s happened to most of us at some point. You lie awake in the middle of the night, processing a challenge or a tough season. We’ve been there. In fact, this last week we both woke up on the same night, for the same reason. As many of you know, we do business consulting, and we were dealing with a situation we just couldn’t shut off.

Maybe you’ve been there too.

Fortunately, our Seven24 study of The Purpose Driven Life met us right where we were. The first five chapters hit home. Rick opens with a simple reminder, “It’s not about you.”

That one stings a little.

When challenges come, how quickly do we turn inward? Our reputation. Our timeline. Our scoreboard. But Scripture reminds us:

“For in him all things were created... all things have been created through him and for him.” — Colossians 1:16

When all our energy is focused on ourselves, it gets hard to hear what God is actually doing. And sometimes, what He’s doing includes struggle.

You Were Created on Purpose

Rick reminds us early on we were not created by accident.

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.” — Isaiah 44:2

Let that settle in.

Before the pressure.Before the responsibility.Before the sleepless nights.

There was purpose.

What’s Actually Driving You

Chapter three got real for us. Rick lays out five things that tend to drive people:

1. Guilt

2. Resentment

3. Fear

4. Materialism

5. The need for approval

If we’re honest, more than one of these was behind that 2 am wake-up call.

So here’s the question: Men, what’s driving you right now?

“A life devoted to things is a dead life… a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.” — Proverbs 11:28

The Perspective Shift We Need

Life has a way of making temporary things feel permanent. Deadlines. Deals. Decisions.

Rick reminds us to zoom out and take on an eternal perspective.

“He has set eternity in the human heart.” — Ecclesiastes 3:11

This world is not the finish line. And when we forget that, we give too much weight to things that won’t last.

The Climb Is the Point

Think about Sleeping Bear Dunes. The rundown is easy. Fast. Fun. But it doesn’t last. The climb back up is the work. Two steps forward, one step back. Sound familiar?

Life often feels more like the climb than the run.

So why do we do it?

If it’s just about reaching the top, the feeling fades.

But giving your best effort, showing up, staying faithful in the climb

That’s where lasting joy is found.

Rick describes life as a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — Romans 12:2

This week’s study was exactly what we needed. We hope it meets you where you are, too. Even in the middle of the night.

Have a great week, men.