When Sleep Won't Come by Matt Rehrer

About the Book:

Our struggles with sleep impact every area of life, from physical and spiritual health to emotional well-being and thinking clearly. When Sleep Won’t Come approaches sleep from both physiological and biblical angles to help us understand our bodies’ physical rhythms and needs and to show how God uses sleep and sleeplessness to reveal his grace and care. Sleep is not just a complex biological rhythm of the body but a spiritual rhythm of the soul and a divine gift that reveals our human limitations and dependence on God.

Dr. Rehrer shares his personal experiences with sleep challenges and provides readers with tools to better understand their sleep patterns, manage stress, and find rest in the God who never sleeps. With clarity and compassion, he explains how sleep works, why it often fails, and what our restless nights reveal about both our bodies and our souls.

Taking a holistic approach, the book explores the purpose of sleep, common causes of sleeplessness, and practical solutions for overcoming sleep struggles. It offers actionable guidance for caring for the body, improving sleep habits, and creating a restful environment, while also providing a framework for prayer and Scripture meditation to help readers find hope and true rest in God during sleepless nights.

My Review:

I appreciate all of the information in this book as sleep has been a difficult experience for me. An ER doctor and a pastor, Rehrer addresses both the physical and spiritual aspects of sleep. Much of what is included in this book is knowledge I already knew but there were a few insights new to me. One was that the sleep cycle changes as we get older with more time in lighter sleep stages. That helped me understand the many times I wake during the night. I appreciate the suggestions about testing and treatment. He includes environmental information like room temperature and how sleep is influenced by what we eat and drink and when.

There is a spiritual aspect to sleep too. I appreciate Rehrer reminding me that the Holy Spirit can use sleeplessness to get my attention. Lying awake thinking of about a past deed may be reminding me of the need for repentance. Worrying about a future event reminds me to trust God for the future. And sleep in general reminds me I cannot be working all the time and do everything. There is the time when I need to get rest and cease work, trusting God for what is accomplished.

This is a very helpful book for those experiencing trouble with good sleep. There are many practical suggestions and good spiritual teaching too.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Matt Rehrer, MD, is an emergency medicine physician in the San Francisco Bay Area and also serves as a pastor at NorthCreek Church. He is the author of When Sleep Won’t Come and Redeeming Memory and is a contributor to The Christian Counselor’s Medical Desk Reference. He and his wife, Kara, have three children. Find out more at https://www.mattrehrer.com/. 

New Growth Press, 160 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-An exceptional book, 4-Better than average, relevant and liked by me, 3-It is average, 2-It is below average and not liked by me, 1-It is practically unreadable.)