Taught through a Dream

I have always been an avid dreamer and any detail of information that has ever entered my mind is readily available to be worked into some kind of logical or illogical sequence in my nightly  drama production.

Several nights ago as  I wove my dream scenes they tended very easily and quickly to drift to the bizarre, the frightening, the difficult and even logically impossible experiences.
But then at one point in my dream I suddenly realized that I had something  in my hand that had a unique function.
As soon as my dream drama turned upside down  into a threatening or frightening nightmare,  I would reach out and touch it with what I had in my hand and the dream would right itself immediately into something that made sense.
It happened over and over and I came to the place where even  the frightening turns in my dreams no longer disturbed me or  caused me to fear or dread.  I KNEW that all I had to do was 'touch' them with what I had in my hand and the dream would change,  leaving me emotionally calm.  .And so I faced each  nightmare with calm resolve, flipping it right side up with the touch of my finger instantly neutralizing its power to overwhelm me with fear.

When I awoke ... I thought about what I had experienced and realized that it presented an interesting picture of a spiritual truth.   My dream portrayed the reality of how we, as believers, can face the nightmares of life.
We all walk through the days and years of our lives and face unexpected circumstances or experiences that leave us overwhelmed with fear, with worry or anxiety.
We feel run over,  we feel out of control, we feel alone with no answers or nowhere to turn.  
Most often  our disturbing experiences are not life threatening - sometimes they are.
Sometimes we are frustrated sitting in rush hour traffic, knowing we will be late for an appointment     sometimes a tragedy changes our lives forever in a moment of time.

But we have something in our hand that has can turn our troubles right side up.   Turning them right side up doesn't change the circumstance but it takes the fear out of it, and puts us in a safe place.

What is the 'changer' we have in our hand ?
It is God's Truth, His Word on the subject or circumstance.

Your day is not off to a good start... You spilled your coffee cup, your two year old woke up crying, your husband complained of having egg sandwiches AGAIN in his lunch, you have a 9:30 o'clock appointment you are going to be late for if you sit any longer in this stalled traffic.  Your stress level is rising, a soundless scream forming in the pit of your stomach..... where is your 'wand' ?
Awww... there it is. Reach it out ...   and take a deep breath!
"In everything give thanks..... "  (I Thess. 5:18)
Coffee can be wiped up and another cup poured,   a child can be comforted, and a quiet apology and a kiss sooth a husband.   Thankful?  yes,   for a  child healthy enough to cry,  a  husband to make lunches for, the friend you are  meeting for lunch after your appointment,  your mother-in-law so willing to babysit, the tree bursting forth with spring pink blossoms  you wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't been sitting in traffic --    the list once started is hard to end.   A thankful heart is a happy heart -- the day turns right side up.

You are a young girl in college, in love with a fellow student.   He is everything you ever wanted!  You smile as you look down at the diamond on your left hand.  Then you frown ...  if only your parents could be happier for you !   If only your pastor had not expressed his reluctance to marry you.   You lay awake last night trying to put your own doubts out of mind.    So he isn't a Christian...   YET....   He promised to go to church with you after you were married.
The Truth ?    "Be not unequally yoked...  "   (II Cor. 6:14)
Yes... touch your situation with God's truth -- give the ring back.   The one God has chosen for you will share your faith. God's truth isn't given to spoil your happiness, but rather to ensure it.  How many women have married men thinking to convert them after marriage, and it just doesn't happen!

You can hardly bear the pain in your heart. Your grief over the loss of a loved washing wave after wave over raw emotions.  Unexpected bills have left you with financially worries.  How will you manage?  Will life ever be 'normal' again ?
Your 'wand'  ... where is it ?
 ".... lest you sorrow as those who have no hope."   We have 'comfort'  even in our sorrow, that there is life after death ... that we will see our loved ones again. Death has been conquered... the dead in Christ will rise again ... and we will be with Him forever !   (I Thess. 4:13-18)
"I will never leave you or forsake you ... "  (Heb. 13:5)  Isn't often the greatest fear in any situation that of being 'alone' ?   God knew how easily we were comforted by someone coming alongside that could help, that could walk us through whatever was before us.   Jesus promised, no matter what we are going through, we are not alone.  Not only is Jesus with us, to comfort, even to carry us.  but He has promised that "all things will work together for our good".  (Rom. 8:28) No matter what we go through it is not in vain, God has a plan and a purpose.
"My God shall supply all your need..." (Phil. 4:19)  That is a promise God gives to His children.  In time of need we look around us and perhaps see no way even God could meet our need.....  but we need to look at the second part of God's promise.   He isn't dependant on THIS world's supply,  He has promised to meet our need according to HIS RICHES ... a storehouse of provision untouched by thieves,  an economic recession, or your own ability or resources.  We can trust Him.

I could go on and weave situations of life we all deal with.  What is in your life today that you are struggling with ?  Have you considered what God's view of your situation is,  what His Word has to say about it?    How would taking God's truth and 'touching' it to your way of thinking, your perspective, your fears change how you feel? How would it change your choices, your decisions, your attitude?

"In ALL thy ways acknowledge HIM .. and He  WILL direct your paths."  Prov. 3:6
and one of my favourite verses ..
"The entrance of Your Word gives light.It gives understanding to the simple." Ps 119:130,131