Have you ever wondered about hearing God through dreams, or felt like He is trying to tell you something, but you’re not quite sure how to listen?
For many new Christians, understanding how God communicates can feel a bit like trying to understand how a massive aeroplane takes off – it seems incredible, yet it happens every day! Just as a plane relies on aerodynamics, your journey of faith relies on a simple yet powerful truth: faith is your spiritual operating system.
This means believing that the God who created everything truly wants to connect with you, personally and intimately. Our faith isn’t just about following rules; it’s about building a close relationship with our heavenly Father. And the exciting news? God speaks in many ways, and one often-overlooked way is through our dreams.
Discerning God’s Voice, Even While You Sleep
God uses a variety of “lights on the runway” to guide us. These include:
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Scripture: The Bible is our foundation for understanding God’s heart.
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Inner Peace: That deep sense of knowing when something is right, a quiet river of certainty in your spirit.
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Wise Counsel: Listening to the wisdom of trusted fellow believers and leaders who have walked with God for a while.
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Gifts of the Spirit: Sometimes God speaks through prophetic words, words of knowledge, or wisdom shared by others.
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Opened Doors: When opportunities align with what God has been speaking to you, it can be a clear sign.
And then there are dreams. It might sound a bit surprising, but the Bible shows us that God has always used dreams to speak to His people. As it says in Job 33:14-15, “For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds.”
While not every dream comes from God (sometimes it’s just too much peri-peri chicken from last night!), we should still take them seriously. Even if there’s a small chance God is speaking, isn’t it worth paying attention?
Think about Joseph in the Old Testament. He had powerful dreams about his future, and when he shared one, “his brothers hated him all the more” (Genesis 37:5). These dreams, though initially causing hardship, ultimately guided his life and led to him saving many people. God used what others meant for evil for good!
Then there’s Joseph, Mary’s husband, in the New Testament. An angel appeared to him in a dream, confirming Mary’s miraculous pregnancy and saying, “do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20). Later, another dream warned him to flee to Egypt to protect young Jesus from King Herod (Matthew 2:13). These biblical accounts clearly show God actively communicating through dreams, providing direction and warning.
Personal Reflection: Cultivating a Dream-Ready Heart
So, how can you, as a new Christian in South Africa, start paying attention to your dreams?
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Simply Ask: Before you go to sleep, offer a simple prayer: “Lord, help me remember my dreams, especially the ones you want to speak to me through.”
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Journal Your Dreams: Even if they seem random, try writing down what you remember as soon as you wake up. This can help you see patterns over time.
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Test Your Dreams: This is crucial! Not every dream is from God. The Bible warns that some prophets prophesy “the delusions of their own minds” (Jeremiah 23:26). Ask yourself:
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Does this dream line up with what the Bible says?
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Does it bring peace or confusion?
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Seek counsel from trusted spiritual mentors or leaders. Share your dream and ask for their wisdom and discernment. This isn’t about them telling you what to do, but helping you weigh it against God’s Word and character.
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Fill Your Mind with Scripture: The more you read and meditate on the Bible, the more your subconscious will be influenced by God’s truth. This gives the Holy Spirit a “biblical worldview” to use when communicating through your dreams. If you dream of something like a desert, with a biblical lens, you might recognise it as a call for prayer or protection, rather than just a random image.
Conclusion: Trusting God on Your Journey
God is in the business of speaking to us. Dreams are just one of the amazing tools in His toolkit to guide, encourage, and even warn us. Don’t be afraid to explore this avenue of hearing His voice, but always remember to test what you hear against His Word and with wise counsel.
Just as faith helps that 400,000 kg plane defy gravity, your faith in God allows you to navigate life’s challenges, trusting that He is speaking and leading you every step of the way. May your walk with Him be filled with clarity, peace, and perhaps, some amazing divine dreams!