Have you ever had a dream that felt so real, so vivid that you couldn't shake it from your mind? Dreams have fascinated humanity since the beginning of time, and throughout scripture, we see God using dreams as a powerful way to communicate with His people.
Today, we'll explore how God still speaks through dreams and what we should do when He does.
What Types of Dreams Do We Experience?
Dreams come in various forms, and understanding the different types can help us discern their meaning:
- Nighttime Dreams - These are the visions we have while sleeping that may contain messages from God
- Nightmares - Disturbing dreams that may stem from fear or spiritual attack
- Noteworthy Dreams - Aspirational dreams or goals for your future
- Nyquil Dreams - Those strange, trippy dreams that come from medication (not all dreams have spiritual significance!)
Throughout scripture, we see God communicating through dreams. The Pharaoh of Egypt had dreams about cows and grain that Joseph interpreted and used to save multitudes. Peter had a dream that resulted in an open relationship with God to the Gentiles. Even today, God continues to speak to His people through dreams.
Consider this personal example: When my wife and I were dating, we were prioritizing each other over God. As we began to realize this, we decided to fast from one another for three days and to fast food in order to hear clearly from God regarding our relationship. During this time, God confirmed our relationship using scripture for me and through a dream for my wife. The dream she had showed us standing at the altar together. We were married at that very same altar she saw in her dream.
In Genesis 37, we read about Joseph who had dreams that his family would bow down to him. When he shared these dreams, his brothers became jealous, threw him in a pit, and sold him into slavery. They even smeared blood on his coat and convinced their father that he was dead. Despite this terrible beginning, God used Joseph's ability to interpret dreams to elevate him to second-in-command in Egypt, where he eventually saved his family along with thousands of others from famine.
The story of Joseph teaches us several important lessons:
- Be careful who you share your dreams with. Not everyone can handle your dreams.
- God may take you off course to put you back on track. Joseph's path to leadership went through slavery and prison.
- Dreams can be warnings or provision from God. Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams saved Egypt because they were able to prepare for famine ahead of time and not only had enough for Egypt but surrounding nations.
In Matthew 2:13-15, an angel appeared to the earthly father of Jesus, also named Joseph, in a dream, warning him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's plan to kill the child. This fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would come "out of Egypt."
The parallels between Joseph in the Old Testament and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, are remarkable:
- Both had dreams from God
- Both went to Egypt for protection
- Both were part of God's plan to save His people
Just as Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver by his brothers, Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver by one of his friends. Both experienced betrayal, but God used their suffering to bring about salvation.
Not all dreams come from God. Some stem from fear, negative emotions, or areas of sin in our lives. All dreams are a reason to pray. Take every dream to God in prayer. Nothing you receive in a dream that you believe is from God should contradict Scripture. God will confirm His word with His word.
As you pray through your dreams, be careful. I actually prayed that God would stop my dreams when I was young. I was having dreams that disturbed me and I wanted to control what I was dreaming. I found later that I had inadvertently hindered my ability to dream at night and to dream for my life. You don’t want to hinder your ability to dream and hear from God.
When God gives you a dream, whether it's a nighttime vision or an aspiration for your future, here's what to do:
- Write them down so you can reflect on them later.
- Pray to God for the interpretation and understanding of the dream.
- Share your dreams with trusted advisors who can help you discern what God is saying, or if it is not from God.
- Be ready to act on God's direction if the dream is believed to be from God. Fight for your dreams.
- Help others accomplish their dreams. Be a dream builder. Invest in others.
Remember, "If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done." God may need to do something new in you to prepare you for the dream He's given you. Surrender to the work He is doing in you. God promises in Acts 2:17-21: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
Start a dream journal. Write down your dreams and reflect on what God might be saying.
Revisit your dreams. What aspirations has God placed in your heart?
Find someone who will encourage you and help you discern God's voice.
Take one step toward a God-given dream. What's the next action you can take to move toward what God has shown you?
Your dreams matter to God. He is the giver of dreams. When aligned with His word and confirmed through prayer, they can become powerful tools for His Kingdom. Don't let fear or doubt keep you from the dreams God has placed in your heart. He loves you and wants to know you. He wants you to grow in your walk with Him.
