You’ve had a dream that you can’t stop thinking about or maybe you have had a friend ask you about a dream they’ve had but you don’t have the tools to know how to help them. Everybody has had a dream and we see in Scripture that sometimes God likes to use this tool to communicate with us. It’s not always easy to know where to begin, though.
This is a 3-step guide to help you understand how to listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling you and how to wisely use the dream dictionary. We pray that it will help you to unravel the mysteries of your dreams.
Content:
1. Is this a dream that needs interpreting?
The first question to ask yourself is “Is this dream one that needs interpreting?” If you are here then you probably believe yours does, but some may not realize that not every dream is a message from God. It is best to be cautious because most dreams are ‘pizza dreams‘ or dreams that simply occur as part of your brain processing information and imagining during your sleep cycle.
There are plenty of Bible verses that say, though, that we should pursue spiritual gifts and use them to the full measure we have been given. Dream interpretation could fall underneath the gift of knowledge, wisdom or prophecy. But, we don’t want to focus more on prophecy and gifts than God and our relationship with him. Therefore, it is wise to not get swept up into finding reason behind every dream you have. If you try to interpret every dream you will likely only end up confused and it may leave room open for the enemy to influence you and your judgement.
So, how do you know if this is just your unconscious imagination or something God is trying to tell you? In my experience, the important dreams simply stand out more to you. It keeps sitting in your mind and you ponder it over and over again like an itch you need to scratch. This feeling is the Holy Spirit prompting you to pay attention to it. There are also usually elements of the dream that are ‘sharp’ or distinct. They are memorable and easy to recall when awake. These are key factors that require interpreting to grasp the full understanding of your dream.
Ultimately, if you are unsure of whether or not a dream is important, the best you can do is to ask God. Seek his wisdom. Don’t allow yourself to go down a rabbit hole, chasing after what isn’t there. Ask the Spirit to guide you in where your focus ought to be.
2. Bringing it to God
If you believe your dream is one that requires interpreting, then your next step is to bring it to God. He is the one who gave you the message so ask for his guidance and wisdom. Sometimes revelation comes in unexpected ways or at unexpected times. You may not need a guide or dictionary at all.
It may help you to write down your dream. This way you can revisit it throughout the day or can more easily focus on one portion. It also will not help if you become uncertain of any part. You may lose confidence in what the dream means if you question whether you are remembering it correctly. As you look over it, spend some time in prayer and in God’s word, listening for His voice. Take into consideration how you felt in the dream and how you feel about what God is saying. Note that feelings are not the most important factor, though, as God may be telling you something you don’t want to hear. But remember that God is good and His desire isn’t for harm. He may correct or give warnings but the interpretations of your dream should lead to something constructive, not destructive.
Lastly, the interpretation should line up with what Scripture says. If you are unsure then do your best to find answers in your Bible or ask a trusted member of your church or community to direct you answers on the topic you are concerned about.
3. Using the dream dictionary
This dictionary is in no way meant to be a main source for interpreting dreams. If you find yourself spending more time studying the dictionary than asking God or studying His word, then you may need to re-evaluate your approach to understanding your dreams. Which is more important? Your dream or the one who gave it to you? This dictionary is a tool. It is meant to aid you as you learn how God speaks and gives you stepping stones to understanding his language.
As you use the dictionary, focus on parts of the dream that stood out the most. Maybe there was an animal in your dream or you noticed a car was a specific color. Look up these key details to begin to help you put the pieces together. If the word you are looking for is not in this dictionary you can look up a word similar to it or see if you can find it in another dictionary. You may also submit a request for a word to be added on our contact page.
As you use the dictionary you will often see that these symbols “can” be interpreted in a particular way. These are ‘definitions’ or meanings that are common but not necessarily the meaning 100% of the time. For example, snakes are typically seen as something negative within Christian symbolism. But, if you are someone who has grown up around snakes and have a fondness for them then they may have a special significance for you and they may symbolize something else entirely. Another example may be that you have had an event occur that makes a place or item mean something different to you. Perhaps you got into a car accident while traveling through the mountains. The mountains for many are a place of beauty and grandeur but perhaps for you they are a place of fear and uncertainty. God often tailors dreams to you and how you view things, so keep this in mind when trying to interpret.
When you are ready you begin looking through the dictionary here. We pray that this will be beneficial to you and your journey in Christ.
Flying With Bluebird 