Why Dreams are Important

In the book of Genesis, the Bible says man is made in the image of God. For many this concept is hard to comprehend. How are we made in the image of a supernatural being we can’t even see? If we consider what we know of God we may understand this better. We know God is creative. We know He is compassionate, yet just. We know He loves unconditionally and we know He is ultimately good. Of course this is not an all inclusive list, but these few are enough to see how His nature can be displayed in us. A more complicated attribute is that God is a triune being. He is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, which equates to God the Father representing the head or mind, God the Son as the body and the Holy Spirit being the spirit of God. As humans we are made up of mind, body and spirit, therefore truly we too are triune beings made in the Creator’s image. It’s such an amazing concept, but what does it have to do with dreaming?

In our humanity we are housed in a fragile body with basic physical needs, one of which is sleep. As we sleep our spirit remains awake and is open to communicate spirit to spirit. For some this may be starting to sound a little hokey or “new age”, but keep in mind, God has a spirit. We are so accustomed to seeing the world around us and believing this is all there is, though the Bible is clear, there is a spirit world surrounding us that most of us are unaware of. We aren’t talking ghosts and goblins, but rather angels and demons.

If we are connected and in relationship with God, He often speaks and ministers to our spirit while we sleep. He can even guide us, nudging us in the direction we should go in life. He has been known to do this with unbelievers as well, but most commonly believers. What we’re dreaming can give great insight into our spiritual health. If we are plagued with dark, terrifying or lust-filled dreams, it’s very likely there are dark forces or demons at work against us. If our dreams are predominantly based upon our own desires, they are most likely soulish dreams and can indicate a lack of spiritual maturity. God dreams are usually memorable, even if we don’t understand their meaning.

Even the most nonsensical dreams, can be very timely messages from God. Several years ago I dreamt I was in a foreign city and an unkempt little girl came along to help me maneuver the maze of narrow, hillside streets I was stuck on. At the end of the dream I was in my home town and the authorities brought the little girl to live with me, along with her baby brother who I never saw in the dream. Although I didn’t think much about the dream at the time, somehow it actually prompted me to start the process of becoming a licensed foster parent. Months later when my first foster children showed up and it was the little girl from my dream and her baby brother, I knew God had somehow prompted me through that dream, into a task He had called me to.

Don’t dismiss your dreams. They truly can provide great insight into what’s happening in the world, in relationship to you, and not in a Freudian or Jungian way, but in an incredible way that only God can order.