Author: Ryan Hutzel
I remember when I was a child there were many restless nights of falling from a cliff, somebody chasing me, or otherwise some horror movie character was out to get me while I was dreaming. These terror events are dubbed as nightmares. We will not be discussing the reasons why they occur chemically or the psychology of them, but more so as much as how do we stop having them and take control of the fear they cause.
Nightmares are often lucid, they bring one right out of a dead sleep, sometimes literally screaming, kicking, punching, hiding under the covers, or just plain frightened at something that was in one’s head only, or was it? Acts2dream.com is a Christian perspective website, this is how we will proceed from here. A nightmare is solid fear, no other way of putting it. While every nightmare can be different, the end result is the same, and that is to instill fear. So, where does this fear come from? It would be all to easy to say the devil and his evil henchmen made it happen, albeit that sometimes is true, it is not always the case however. Too often we do this to ourselves in creating nightmares from own own imaginations. Our brain is complex computer, capable of imagination at the craziest levels. This article will not be discussing chemical imbalances or handicaps. That is very much important, but more so for doctor or psychologist to diagnose over the common nightmares experienced by billions around the globe.
First let us explore the known world. If you’ve stayed up late watching a marathon of a horror flicks, then end up having a nightmare of being chased by a masked psychopath it would seem very obvious the source of the nightmare wouldn’t it? It’s best that if horror movies get your heart leaping from your chest going to bed shortly after watching them, jumping at every shadow and creak of a board, maybe it’s not a good idea for a great night’s rest. Other nightmares can derive from daily stress, life’s uncertainties. Examples of these uncertainties is illness, loosing your job, love one passing away, unfaithful spouse, eating right before going to bed, and so on. What all of the above has in common is again, fear, maybe with the exception of eating before going to bed, lol.
Second, without loosing focus on this article, in combination of the above is yes, the kingdom of darkness. Demons most definitely use our fears against us, and what better way to destroy one’s confidence then mess with one in their sleep and unconsciousness mind. Fear is used as a gateway to the spirit of person. Should the gate be open, demons can walk right in and mess up the house of persons spirit. Watching an occult horror film and then remembering you are a child of God afterwards doesn’t jive too well. One cannot serve two masters or be a Sunday morning only Christian. One cannot walk in freedom and live with fear at the same time. The mind of a person is the gateway to the human spirit, so if fears are instilled, the spirit is paralyzed. It behooves me that Christians around the globe play and dabble with Ouija boards, tarot cards, palm reading, horror films, occult practices, Halloween, etc. and yet complain that they cannot sleep at night due to insomnia, nightmares, or just plain fear/anxiety. What we allow in will manifest in some way or another, nobody is except from this.
So, what is the answer? Shut the gateways down! Whatever the root source of the nightmares are, they must be confronted. If the sources are horror movies, simply stop or discern what should be watched or not. If the source is a family member or boss, consider any option to limit their influences. If occult related, stop, renounce and repent. Most of all reinforce your mind with scripture and what God says. Fear is a manifestation of negative faith, or otherwise what you believe as truth from a negative influence. Who or what is your greatest influence? If it be God, peace will be given, however if darkness (Satan,) then evil will be the influence of your subconsciousness mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Mark 12:43-45 (KJV)
43“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;“
In conclusion, don’t fuel the fire, take your ground as a child of God and rebuke the fear whether it be natural or supernatural. Your words have power over the darkness in your dreams and out. Give your thoughts over to Jesus, and allow his Holy Spirit to begin a work of deliverance in your mind. This article was written with a touch of sarcasm, but meant to hit home hard with truth and to set one free. Rest easy, sweet dreams.