Several nights ago, I was startled into consciousness by the sound of something falling. In my grogginess, I tried to decipher the source, finally convincing myself a picture had fallen off my dresser. Yet, the unknown genesis of the sound bothered me. Ultimately, I turned over and went back to sleep, confident that an intruder was not present because no alarm sounded.
The next morning, I scouted the house, but found nothing on the floor. Today, I discovered a stack of old CD’s scattered behind a chair in my office. How they managed to fall from their perch on the table above remains a mystery, but at least I found the source of the nighttime noise.
Following are thoughts on things that go bump in the night:
Startling
Years ago, when Jim traveled often for work, he arrived home, unannounced, a day early and after everyone was asleep. When he came upstairs, both hands were full, so he pushed the bedroom door open with his suitcase. The door banged against the wall, and I shot upright in bed. All I could see was a dark shape backlit by the hall nightlight. The time between cold fear and recognition took way too long for my comfort.
Many things in life are unexpected and startling. Deciding how to move beyond initial response and regain forward motion takes time and intentionality. Something that startles doesn’t afford processing time. Shock hampers, but ultimately, you move forward with a renewed perspective.
Spinning
When I was a child, one of my favorite toys was a tin top. To make the top spin, you pushed a red knob. The faster you pushed, the faster it spun, and as it spun, it opened, revealing an egg in the middle. If pushing slowed, the top began to close, so you had to keep up the speed until the egg opened, and a tiny chicken emerged.
Unsettling news and unexpected events leave our minds spinning in multiple directions. We immediately begin trying to control the situation by attempting to find solutions. How can we make this go away? What are next steps? How can I keep this top spinning?
Not everything scary happens during the night, but problems, diagnoses, grief, and shock are certainly magnified and mind-spinning in the darkness. And the more you what-if, the larger the situation grows emotionally and mentally.
Struggling
Years ago, we had a problem with flying squirrels getting in the house. Since they are nocturnal, and before we discovered the point of ingress, we were awakened several times by the noisy invaders.
Early one New Year’s morning, Jim and I spent an hour chasing a zooming squirrel around the house, batting with brooms, and finally ushering out the front door. Not the way we wanted to start a new year!
Often, we have the expectation that a new year is synonymous with calmness, respite from holiday busyness, and a chance to regroup. However, sometimes a new year presents us with a new set of challenges. Certainly, that was the case for me in 2024 with Jim’s sudden death.
Sometimes, things that go bump in the night are literal, and other times, they thump around our brains instead. Nocturnal brain invaders rob us of sleep, steal peace, and confuse sound judgement. The best antidote for nighttime brain-bumping activity is prayer. Things that mentally go bump in the night diminish with an infusion of trust and peace.
Simplifying
Paring down big, unexpected, startling issues is a process. Pushing aside all the potential scenarios requires diligence. Learning to eat the elephant one bite at a time takes practice.
If everything that goes bump in your life throws you for a loop, you’ll spend more time spinning than living.
So, how do you cope with big scary life bumps in the night, day, or whenever they occur? Simplify. Trust God’s plan for your life. Believe His plan includes hope and a future. Realize each day is a walk of faith and each step is guided by a loving Heavenly Father.
“I will bless the Lord who counsels me—even at night when my thoughts trouble me” (Psalm 16:7 CSB).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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