Reoccurring Nightmares

Introduction

In this short story I am sharing with you one of my life's experiences and the wisdom the Lord Jesus has given me through it. My hope and prayer is you will be both blessed and encouraged by this little booklet.

I pray you would come to understand, as I did, that nightmares can be a spiritual attack. If you are a mother or a father, and your child is having terrifying nightmares, do not just dismiss them. They may be demonic attacks.

Upon understanding this, it is good to know JESUS is the name above every name, and that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, will be saved.

1

In The Beginning

When I was a child, about seven years old, I had three reoccurring nightmares.

An Evil Presence

At night I would go to sleep, then somewhere in the middle of the night, a tangible presence of evil would invade my room. I would wake up terrified, screaming and crying. My mom would come into the room, tell me there was nothing there, and calm me down. Then we would both go back to sleep.

This dream was so real that even after I was awake, I could feel an evil presence in my room. It was so terrifying, and happened so many times, that I ran a string from my light switch over to my bed. Then I could turn the light on immediately, whenever the evil presence manifested itself in my room. I could see nothing, yet I knew something was there. Eventually I out grew this nightmare, convincing myself the evil presence was not real.

The Snake

Another reoccurring nightmare I had when I was a child, was of a snake slithering across my stomach. The sensation of a snake moving across my stomach would wake me up, in stark terror.

I would turn on the light and lay in bed, telling myself there is nothing there, there is nothing there. But even with the light on, and with nothing visible to see, I could still feel the snake moving across my stomach. It was thick, about 4 to 6 inches in diameter, and nothing like the small garter snakes we see in this area.

Teddy Bear Twin

I had a favorite doll, her name was Sleepy Head, and I had a favorite teddy bear, his name was Teddy. I used to fall asleep every night cuddling Teddy. Sleepy Head was in bed with me too, but she was too hard to cuddle.

Another reoccurring nightmare I had when I was a child was of Teddy. In my dream I would wake up and find Teddy was gone. Immediately I knew Teddy was in the basement and he was in danger.

In my dream, I got out of bed and made my way to the top of the basement stairs. I knew Teddy was down there and I had to go “save” him. I was terrified. The basement was so dark and I could feel an evil presence down there.

Slowly, I made my way down the stairs. Then I walked over to the green canning cupboard. As I looked at the cupboard, I saw sitting on top of it two seemingly identical Teddy bears. I knew one was Teddy and the other was an evil impostor. I also knew I would have to choose between them.

I agonized. Finally I made my choice. If I chose the wrong one, it would lunge at me with a roar. I would wake up screaming and crying.

Again, my mother would come into my room, calm me down, and reassure me there was nothing wrong. On occasion I would choose Teddy, and again I would wake up crying, this time upset and relieved.

I asked God, “God, how can I know which bear is Teddy?” God answered me, “You can know which bear is Teddy in your knowing”.

God revealed to me I could not tell which bear was Teddy by sight. The impostor was so clever, they looked identical. But, I would be able to tell by “feeling” with my heart. Teddy loved me, while the other bear was evil and hated me.

After having this insight, I started to try this in my dream, and it worked. Soon I was regularly choosing Teddy. The dream no longer terrified me, and it never came back again.

Nightmares as an Adult

As an adult I continued to have nightmares. Although they came less often, they were none-the-less terrifying. They were not reoccurring but the themes were always similar.

2

Deliverance

In 1997 I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I remember the first nightmare I had as a Christian, was of a man coming towards me.

When I sensed his evil intent, I started to call on the name of Jesus. At first, I couldn't pronounce His name; it came out muffled and unclear. I would try again and again. As I did this, each time his name would become clearer. Then I would have a breakthrough and I would say: "Jesus". Instantly, the nightmare was gone.

Deliverance from Nightmares

Nightmares no longer have a grip on me. Now, whenever they try to attack me, I call on the name of Jesus. I have found the word of God to be true.

And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord
will be saved’.

Acts 2:21 N.I.V.

And being found
in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient
to death —
even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him
to the highest place
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth
and under the earth,
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:8 to 11 N.I.V.

3

Insights

Now I am born again, and I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I know there are evil spirits, demons. They are invisible, but even so, they are very real.

Both the evil presence in my room, and the snake slithering across my belly were real. They were not just nightmares or my imagination. They were attacks from demonic spirits. If only my mother and I had known the name of Jesus would chase these demonic spirits away.

The nightmare of Teddy was also an attack from demonic spirits. Even so, this dream was different. The Lord Jesus showed me this dream was prophetic.

4

Interpretation

Teddy represented the choices I made of men in my adult life. I kept choosing the one that I wanted, or the one that wanted me, instead of looking for the one that truly loved me. Finally, I listened to my heart and chose the One who loved me, and gave Himself up for me, Jesus.

I have been crucified with Christ
and I no longer live,
but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body,
I live by faith
in the Son of God,
who loved me
and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 N.I.V.

As a young child I always day dreamed of my "Knight in Shining Armor", who would love me, save me, and protect me. I have found my "Knight in Shining Armor". His shining armor is not a shiny metal, but it is the shining light of His presence.

When Jesus spoke again
to the people, he said,
"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."

John 8:12 N.I.V.

This is the message we have
heard from him and declare to you:
God is light; in him
there is no darkness at all.

1st John 1:5 N.I.V.

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