Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
I’m not one who usually remembers dreams, but a few throughout my lifetime have been so distinct I remember them to this day. This one I remember like it was yesterday. I was outside playing with my friends when out of nowhere a ferocious Grizzly bear materialized and started chasing us. (Dreams, there’s no rhyme or reason to them.) Terrified, I began running as fast as I could, but the aggressive bear kept gaining on me. Just when the bear was about to take a swipe at me with his intimidating claws, I jumped up and began flying (which looks more like swimming) through the air. Once I was out of harm’s way, I called out to my friends and instructed them take flight with me. They too jumped up and began flying, narrowly escaping the clutches of death.
In biblical times dreams sometimes had spiritual significance. For this reason God made it possible for some of His people to interpret dreams. Perhaps the two most profound dream interpreters in the Bible were Joseph and Daniel.
“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” (Genesis 41:15)
“The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” (Daniel 2:26-28)
I’m not a dream interpreter by any stretch of the imagination, but I do believe our dreams can contain spiritual messages for our lives, even today.
“For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)
I don’t know if my childhood dream had spiritual significance, but if it had, what might we be able to learn from it?
In my dream the bear caught me and my friends completely off-guard. We were simply having a good time, minding our own business, when the bear appeared and began chasing us.
Isn’t that often when calamity takes place – when we least expect it?
I immediately began running from the bear, but no matter how fast I ran, the bear continued to gain on me.
In real life how many times do I find myself running from my problems rather than facing them head on? I’m afraid, more times than I care to admit. Unfortunately, no matter how fast I run, problems seem to always catch up with me. What about you?
As a last resort in my dream, I begin flying – soaring above the impending danger below.
Sadly, in day to day life, we don’t often seek God’s help until we’ve tried everything else. We first try to handle things on our own, convincing ourselves that we don’t need to bother God with our problems. But thankfully, as soon as we humble ourselves and cry out for God’s help, He lifts us to new heights – safely out of harm’s way.
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (Psalm 40:2)
“O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death.” (Psalm 9:13)
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31)
Whatever calamity you may be facing today… God will help you rise above it!