Available August 4, 2026
There’s much to learn in the school of sleep.
In our age of hurry, productivity, and constant distraction, sleep is often treated as an inconvenient pause or means of self-optimization. We’ve forgotten the deeper, theological meaning of rest and the profound spiritual lessons we can learn from our God-given need for sleep.
Drawing from Scripture, science, cultural commentary, and personal reflections, Brett McCracken shows how sleep, rest, and Sabbath are not just necessary downtimes or missed opportunities to be productive--they are sacred practices that deepen our relationship with God, nurture our love for others, and bear witness to his grace.
The Wisdom of Sleep calls you to a higher view of this essential and holy part of our lives.
Throughout the book, you’ll discover that sleep, rest, and dreams are surprising gifts from God. You'll learn the astonishing science behind the ways sleep revives and restores us, and how this God-designed physical reality daily reminds us of spiritual truths. As you better understand and embrace God's good design, you'll grow in love for him and help point other weary souls to the ultimate rest they can have in him.
The wisdom of sleep is not just in its brilliant design and biological benefits. It’s also in the way sleep and rest bear witness to our createdness, our salvation, and our eternal future—when all restlessness will find repose in God’s presence.
Endorsements
“This book is so comforting to read! A wonderful exhortation to embrace your body’s limits and receive God’s gifts in rest.”
“Perhaps the most complete, illustrative, and inspiring exploration of sleep to date in the Christian world.”
“A gracious gift for weary souls.”
“It will remind you how something so simple—something we do hopefully every day—can habituate us to a God of grace who bids our strivings cease each time we lay down our heads.”
“Read it and sleep tight.”
Brett McCracken is a senior editor for The Gospel Coalition and a leading voice at the intersection of faith, culture, and the arts.
For two decades he has written articles and books that have helped Christians love the church, understand cultural trends, and engage the arts with thoughtful appreciation and biblical discernment. In recent years his focus has been on how the digital age shapes souls and erodes wisdom. This emphasis began with his influential 2021 book, The Wisdom Pyramid, followed by a co-edited project in 2025, Scrolling Ourselves to Death. His newest book, The Wisdom of Sleep(Zondervan Reflective, 2026), doubles as a theological reflection on rest and a critique of our optimization-obsessed technological moment.