A befuddling dream where I was driving the wrong way on a one-way street startled me awake. Groggy, my first thought was, Lord, am I headed the wrong way? Though the dream left me slightly shaken, a full day kept me from thinking much about it. But a small cloud of uncertainty formed right over my head.
The very next night, another dream: I was stepping out to cross the street and was nearly hit by a speeding car. That sure woke me up fast. Again, an odd sense that I was headed in the wrong direction hovered. I prayed, Lord, do I need to stop going forward? This time I took time to think and pray.
For many weeks prior to the dreams I had been praying about decisions, and as a result I was currently stepping out into areas I felt certain the Lord had specifically spoken to me about. I had prayed long and hard about each step, asking Him for wisdom and following after peace.
And now these dreams made me second-guess myself. That small cloud of uncertainty over my head grew into full out confusion.
So I asked the Lord to speak to my heart. To bring clarity and enable me to understand if I was to continue moving forward or stop.
Later that afternoon as I mopped my kitchen floor, the beautiful simplicity of truth dawned on me. This is not how my Father speaks to me! Even when I’m headed in the wrong direction, His voice is gentle and peace-filled and brings wisdom and clarity. His voice does not bring confusion.
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33) (ESV)
Knowing our Father’s voice helps us recognize the lies of the enemy. His voice punctures right through confusion, stops lies, and brings peace.
The truth is:
- The enemy speaks lie. When he lies, he speaks his native language. (See John 8:44) And lies bring confusion.
- The enemy opposes the plans and purposes of God and tempts us not to trust God. (See Matthew 4:1-11)
- The enemy wants us to doubt what God has spoken to our hearts so we become confused and then go off track. (See Genesis 3)
After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:4)
As soon as I realized that the enemy had infringed on my dreams, the confusion they had brought disappeared, and I continued moving forward. Honestly, I am not sorry I had the dreams; God used those dreams to help increase my discernment and show me how vastly different His voice is from the voice of the enemy.
It’s something we must all continually strive toward: knowing His voice more intimately.
…progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly. (Philippians 3:8b) (AMP)
Lord, help me, help us all, to know You more deeply and more intimately, and to hear and recognize Your voice. May Your awesome voice always puncture confusion and bring truth in our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
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3 comments:
What a wonderful reminder thank you Julie. I love that our Father speaks to us gently and in love not to bring fear or confusion!! Cindy
This was great! I have had that kind of dream at times! When it leaves you feeling upset, confused, or uncomfortable, then it is not of God. Thanks for the reminder. We all forget these things at times!
Thank you Julie for this great post. I too have been struggling with strange dreams and I believe God used you to help me understand that the fear that came with them was not from Him. God Bless.
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