How to Discern if God is Speaking Through Nightmares
When God Gives You Terrifying Dreams
Sources of Dreams
Have you ever had a terrifying nightmare that jolted you awake—one so vivid you couldn’t forget it? Today, let’s discuss potential sources of such dreams and how to respond to them.
Though I don’t often delve deeply into identifying the source of every dream (God ultimately gives the interpretation, Genesis 40:8), understanding the origins of nightmares can guide us in responding appropriately. Sometimes, nightmares reflect “fear dreams,” where God reveals internal fears He wants to address. Other times, they may carry lies or threats from the enemy, and in some cases, they may be literal demonic attacks. But there is also a fourth possibility: God Himself may use unsettling dreams to awaken us to His purposes.
Let’s explore biblical examples where God communicates through terrifying dreams, helping us understand when He might use such means to convey His messages.
When God Appears in Darkness and Awe
In Genesis 15, God made a profound covenant with Abram (later named Abraham), but not through a gentle vision. Instead, it came during a terrifying dream filled with “a great darkness”:
“As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came down over him. Then the Lord said to Abram, ‘You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land... But I will punish the nation that enslaves them...’" (Genesis 15:12-14, NLT).
In this dream, God presented not only a promise but a solemn warning about the hardships Abram’s descendants would face. This encounter wasn’t designed to comfort, but to instill awe and reverence, reminding Abram of God’s sovereignty and power.
Other passages also describe God appearing in darkness, which can bring a profound sense of reverence:
Psalm 97:2: "Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne."
Deuteronomy 5:22: "These words the Lord spoke... out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness."
Psalm 18:9-11: "He made darkness his covering."
God’s Terrifying Presence on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20)
In Exodus 19-20, God’s appearance at Mount Sinai was a terrifying display of His power. As the Israelites gathered at the mountain’s base, thunder roared, lightning flashed, and a dense cloud covered the summit. The ground shook, and smoke rose like a furnace as God’s presence descended.
God instructed Moses to warn the people not to touch the mountain, as they would die if they did. His voice, as powerful as thunder, filled the people with dread. They begged Moses, “Do not let God speak directly to us, or we will die” (Exodus 20:18-19).
This encounter was meant to cultivate a deep respect and reverence for God. Sometimes, He uses fear to remind us of His holiness and authority, guiding us toward obedience and awe.
Why God Uses Fear in Dreams
Even under the new covenant, we are reminded to hold a reverence for God’s holiness. In Genesis 15, God’s appearance in a fearful dream showed Abram the seriousness of their covenant. The terrifying nature of the dream underscored the weight of God’s promises and the trials his descendants would face.
How Fear in Dreams Reflects God’s Sovereignty
Occasionally, God may use fear to prepare us, remind us of His authority, or highlight His purposes. Though these dreams may be unsettling, they aren’t meant to harm us but to assure us of His presence and His promises.
Warnings in Dreams: Job’s Experience
The book of Job offers another example of God speaking through fear. In Job 33:14-16, it’s written:
“For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams... terrifies them with warnings” (Job 33:14-16, NLT).
Such warnings arrest our attention, often urging us to draw closer to God. Job’s fearful vision in Job 4:14-17 brings him face-to-face with God’s holiness:
“Fear gripped me, and my bones trembled... in the silence, I heard a voice say, ‘Can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone be pure before the Creator?’” (Job 4:14-17, NLT).
Through these visions, God instills reverence, prompting repentance and preparation.
Personal Experiences of Frightening Dreams
I, too, have had dreams with frightening elements. Once, I dreamt of an evil spirit appearing as if straight from a horror film. Yet in the dream, I remained unharmed, protected by God. This experience reminded me of my authority in Christ over darkness and demonstrated that even the fearsome forces cannot prevail against God’s power within me.
Discernment: Is a Fearful Dream from God or the Enemy?
How can we tell if a frightening dream is from God or the enemy?
Context: Does the dream or interpretation bring a sense of resolution, warning, or hope? God may convey unsettling images but ultimately provides a path to respond or act (1 Corinthians 13:7). It’s essential to seek an interpretation from God, as all true understanding comes from Him.
Prayer: Ask God for clarity to discern whether the dream carries His message or serves as a warning. Pray for wisdom in understanding and responding. Regardless of the source, always seek God for both the interpretation and application. Even if a dream is demonic, don’t ignore it—God may be revealing Satan’s plan of attack, giving you a specific prayer target. While we often pray aimlessly, God will guide us to pray with purpose. Additionally, God may give you a warning dream, as seen in the Bible. If you disregard His warning, it will be your responsibility
Scripture: Does the message or interpretation align with Scripture? God never contradicts His Word. While the dream may contain lies, the interpretation should highlight God’s truth that counters the lie being revealed. An interpretation rooted in God’s Word ensures the message is consistent with His truth.
Stewarding Our Dreams Wisely
It’s vital to steward our dreams carefully, especially those that bring fear. Do not ignore God’s voice, even if a dream feels unsettling. Instead, write it down and pray over it. By doing so, you remain open to God’s guidance, receiving whatever He seeks to reveal.
Conclusion: God’s Voice in Dreams
Not every terrifying dream is from the enemy, nor is every comforting dream from God. Scripture shows that God may use fear to highlight His sovereignty, guide us, or prepare us for trials. By seeking His interpretation and staying grounded in His Word, we can discern His voice and respond faithfully, allowing Him to guide us closer to His purpose.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
This verse highlights that fear does not come from God. When God does allow a dream to bring an unsettling message or a sense of reverence, it’s not to create lasting fear in us. Instead, it’s to alert, instruct, or guide us in a way that ultimately brings clarity and peace. He empowers us with His Spirit, which enables us to interpret such messages with wisdom, courage, and a steady mind.
While God may use fear to grab our attention or emphasize His holiness, His intention is not to leave us in a place of terror. His gifts to us—power, love, and a sound mind—help us face any challenge, whether in waking life or in our dreams. This assurance means that no matter how intense or unsettling a dream might be, we can turn to God, trusting that He equips us to process and understand His messages without being overcome by fear.
So, even if a dream initially brings discomfort or fear, we are invited to lean on the Holy Spirit’s guidance to receive it with a sense of reverence, understanding that God is guiding us closer to His will and providing us with the strength to respond confidently.
Dreams are a divine mystery, whether they comfort or challenge. But we can trust that, through them, God seeks to draw us nearer to His heart and will.
Dream Journals and Resources to Guide Your Dream Journey
If you're looking for tools to help document and interpret your dreams, I have a few resources that might interest you:
Dream Journals: I offer beautifully designed dream journals for only $2.99 on Etsy to provide guidance and space to record dreams.
FREE Dream Journal Template: This digital dream journal template can assist you further in documenting and interpreting your dreams.
FREE Dream Interpretation Guide: My comprehensive guide helps you understand and interpret dreams from a biblical perspective.
Join the Conversation
Have you experienced a dream that you believe held a message from God? Share your story in the comments below and let’s journey together in understanding and interpreting God’s divine communications through dreams. For more detailed guidance, check out our Dove Expressions YouTube for videos on how to interpret your dreams.
Join the Community
Would you like to join a community of people that share their dreams and learn to interpret them? Join my Facebook Group! You will get your dreams interpreted and be taught how to receive interpretation from God. Join now and get access to numerous videos that will aid you in your process.
With these resources, you’ll have the tools and support needed to help your child grow in their faith and understand how God speaks through their dreams.