I’ve been attacked in my dreams for the last two nights. I wake up but can’t move, I see the room and there are dark shadowy figures moving around me. There are flashes of lights swirling around the room. Last night I kept feeling a hand on my shoulder and I realized it was not my husbands, the first thought that jumped in my head was that it was my father’s. He had a very strange suicide almost two years ago which has effected me in ways unimaginable. But I’ve grown and felt like I was letting it go. I recently sent off a package to the Department of Homeland Security to work with ICE and had asked God to bless the package and job opportunity. That was Sat morning and these dreams started right after. I woke up this morning fearful of everything. My children, my mother, my husband. The last thing I need to do right now is lose my mind. What does it mean? and what can I do?
–Julie
I believe doctors call this sleep paralysis. When we dream, we’re supposed to be paralyzed (when we’re not we call this sleep walking). According to webmd, when you’re still conscious as you enter REM, or regain consciousness before it ends, “hallucinations” and terror are the frequent result. I put that in quotes because physical explanations don’t eliminate the spiritual. It’s altogether possible the state opens a door into the spiritual realm. Given your situation, it could be due to stress, the enemy, or both.
Either way, scripture is the best medicine. Reciting scriptures has gotten me through night attacks. For when you’re falling asleep, “I will lay me down in peace and sleep, for thou, Lord, only make me dwell in safety” (Psalms 4:8) Otherwise, assuming you know the Lord, inform the enemy, “greater is He who is in me than He who is in the World.” Psalm 91 is also a balm to the soul in such times.
Was the hand comforting and protective, or malevolent? It could have been the Comforter (in other words, your Heavenly Father) if you didn’t sense malevolence in the touch. One can encounter the Lord in such states as well as the enemy of our souls.
Of course, if the devil is fighting you, that usually means you’re on the right track–but sometimes we fight ourselves, too, so keep alert.
In Christ’s Peace,
Andrea Graham
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Hello Julie, I know and understand fully what you are going through. I too have gone through this since I was a little girl. It just means you are sensitive to the spiritual realm. God can show you many things and how to protect your family. Do not be afraid of sudden fear. I know it is hard not to be at times but you must know the scripture and know who you are in Christ, you need to learn to battle with the Word. Psalms is full of spiritual warfare scriptures. Cast out fear, the unclean spirit and anything else the Holy Spirit tells you. Praise music also helps because the Lord enhabits the praises of his people. Praising God stills the enemy… the Bible says submit to God, then resist the devil and he will flee from you. This is an old post so I am sure you have heard all this before, but it is good to see I am not the only one it has happened to.
Thanks for sharing, Bethel.