Does God speak to us through dreams?

[Julie345]

Hi, I am new here and I am a practicing Catholic. Recently, I have gone through a traumatic experience (at least for me) and when I prayed I had a series of dreams that seemed too coincidental and spot on to be just my imagination.

My significant other left me a month ago and has now left the faith and is engaging in terrible activities. He has still to grow up and get his priorities in order. Now, I love him very much and I pray and suffer for him. No one else in this world even really knows him enough to know how to pray for him. Even his own family doesn’t because of their lack of religiousness and understanding of him. For a long time I tried to guide him in the right direction, and I was successful in many ways, but as I have learned we cannot change others completely by ourselves. They have to mature, grow up, and want the change themselves before we as individuals can help. That is what I pray for.

After leaving me, I was in shambles and I prayed fervently to God every night and day for peace, strength, and guidance. I asked if my significant other would ever mature and get back on the right path and if I would ever be with him again in order to be able to help him. A few days later I had the first dream. That one was followed by 3 others.

In these dreams, I start out by being with my significant other in normal situations, meaning we are together. Then some sort of disaster occurred where I was suddenly alone. In one it was a flood and in another some sort of crisis as there was fire, sirens, and other things happening as I wandered about. Then at the end of the dream, as I was searching for my significant other, the floods and fire, in each dream, were gone and there I was with him again. Together as a couple. In other dreams I start out by talking to him and asking him why he is doing all of these immoral, terrible things and he answers by saying, “I thought that is what I wanted” and “We need time apart.” Nevertheless, we end up together.

I truly believe we were meant to be together and I have been the only person in his life to give him stability, guidance, respect, and full love. I am also the only one who knows about his bipolar disorder, which he doesn’t even imagine is what is wrong with him, and about his double lifestyle. I feel I am the only one who can help him, but in order for that to happen, I believe he has to mature and open his eyes. I interpret the disasters in my dreams that pull us apart as the time it will take him to mature and realize how much he is hurting himself and others. I interpret the fact that we are together after the disasters as being able to be with him again to love and help him after he has matured. I know I will also grow and mature as a person during this time, so that I can be of better help in the future.

Now, I only had these dreams after asking God for guidance and clarification. I know that dreams can come from the devil himself, which is why I didn’t just believe the first one I had. So, does God speak to us through dreams? I think he can and I just see these dreams as being too right to be a coincidence. When I asked God for guidance, this is what I received. I haven’t had dreams since. Now I just continue to pray for my ex-significant other so that he doesn’t end up destroying his life. I pray that God will help him mature, even if that means reaping what he is sowing or hitting rock bottom. I don’t want any harm for him, but I want him to open his eyes to what is truly worth in life and to stop thinking that vices like lust and pleasure are what he should be engaging in. I just think everything happens for a reason (including dreams like these) and maybe this break was necessary to make our relationship better and healthier.

I should mention that in previous situations I have also had dreams that ended up being just what happened at later times.

I would appreciate any comments.

-Julie

 

[JRKH]

I don’t think anyone here is qualified to comment on your specific situation. However - - -
The question to be asked should be CAN God speak to us in our dreams. Which, of course, he can. there is even biblical evidence of this.

As to whether that is the case here or not, my gut feeling is no; at least not specifically. The dreams you describe strike me as normal dream types to help one get past a traumatic event.

Again - don’t take my word for it. If you have real concern about this I would take it up with a priest, or better yet, a close spiritual advisor.

Peace
James

 

[Bubble]

Yes, God sometimes speaks to us through dreams. Most dreams, however, stem from more mundane things such as recent events, buried memories and emotions.

My advice is don’t alter your life course, abandon sound judgment or base any real life decisions upon these dreams. Continue to pray on the sitution and in-between defer to common sense when dealing with your boyfriend. Keep the dreams in the back of your mind, duly noted, but don’t put too much stock in them. IMO, it would be a mistake for you to try to initiate any contact with your boyfriend or entertain the idea of getting back together with him based on these dreams.

When we pray for something we really want, the hardest thing to do is to wait and do nothing. But, all in God’s time. Stand aside, letting God do His thing. If the dreams were from Him, they’ll come to pass.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Hi Julie. First of all… my heart goes out to you in your distress. (((hugs))).

I have had similar experiences, with dreams. And, I too… have wondered about whether or not they were from God. Or… the enemy. It certainly is something which has happened to people… as supported in Sacred Scripture. But does God communicate with us now… in the present times, through dreams? He can, if He wants to, surely. I guess a good way to discern might be to pray about whether or not the experience has led you closer to… or away from… God. My understanding is that spiritual experiences which lead us closer to God… and a deeper love of… and practicing of our Catholic faith is something FROM God. That is NOT to say… that He is actually sending you a message through a dream (although, He could if He wanted to)… but He can certainly use the experience to bring us closer to Him.

I hope that made sense. lol. God bless.

 

[Belle10]

I don’t think anyone here is qualified to comment on your specific situation. However - - -
The question to be asked should be CAN God speak to us in our dreams. Which, of course, he can. there is even biblical evidence of this.

As to whether that is the case here or not, my gut feeling is no; at least not specifically. The dreams you describe strike me as normal dream types to help one get past a traumatic event.

Again - don’t take my word for it. If you have real concern about this I would take it up with a priest, or better yet, a close spiritual advisor.

Peace
James

I second this excellent advice.

 

[ficino]

In Jungian personality theory all figures of dreams relate to parts of your own personality. While it is not fitting to supply a serious dream interpretation here, I thought it would be appropriate to at least demonstrate the basics of this approach.

That is, I think this is an alternative hermeneutic for dream interpretation that everyone ought to have at their disposal. Especially in your case it is a good alternative, lest you worry too much about the meaning of your dream vis-a-vis your recent relationship.

Then, with the caveat above, here goes:

In these dreams, I start out by being with my significant other in normal situations,

Both figures, you, and the significant other, would represent different parts of your personality. ‘You’ are your concscious self, or you as you see or want yourself to be. Your ‘significant other’, aptly name here, is exactly that – the ‘other’ part of your personality, and most significant indeed, since this is what you seek to regain a state of integral wholeness.

meaning we are together.

A state of fuller integration.

Then some sort of disaster occurred where I was suddenly alone.

A mental or external event that causes you to retreat to the position of dissociation.

as I was searching for my significant other,

As we all do, in a contuing cycle of intergation, crisis, dissociation, seeking, and re-integration at a higher level. This could be considered the basic ‘alchemy’ or dynamic of personality growth.

why he is doing all of these immoral, terrible things and he answers by saying,

This would be why you (or anyone) dissociates parts of the personality – because our ego associates them with immoral or terrrible things. It is not clear that these parts are that way,
as they are natural and made by God. A potentially more likely scenario is that the ego misunderstands these parts, and rejects them on that basis.

“I thought that is what I wanted”

Potentially related to the idea of a misunderstanding of motives as mentioned above.

“We need time apart.”

Periods of non-integration, as outlined above, are a normal part of personality development. These may be seen as periods of desolation, aridity, ‘wandering in the desert’, etc.

If you want to learn a little more about Jungian personality theory in a Catholic context, here is a link:

innerexplorations.com/catjc/st.htm

Jung’s psychology has many interesting features – dream interpretation is a special strength – but also invites error to someone not strongly grounded in Catholic doctrine and practice.

More generally, two observations:

1. While God may of course speak to us in dreams, a more common view is that angels mediate communications between God and us in dreams. For example, Joseph was warned in a dream by an angel to flee to Herod, etc. Therefore one might conjecture that our Guardian Angel sends us dreams; in Jungian psychology this would be roughly analogous to our Higher Self. The reason I mention this is because one can potentially establish a dialogue with ones Guardian Angel. You could check the Catechism to see what Catholic doctrine is on this topic. As you note, the devil can distort good things, and no doubt there are some who have a mistaken and erroneous view of the Guardian Angels. That’s why I suggest consulting the Catechism, or the Catholic Encyclopedia.
2. It sounds like you’re better off out of the relationship. Most people would probably advise you to let go and move on. Consider taking ,the issue to a confessor, but in any case take it to God in prayer – and get on with your life. Feeling unhealthy and excessive regret or remorse is generally the devils’ handiwork.

ficino

 

[JCnMe]

((((Julie345))))… yes, honey- God does indeed speak to us through dream messages…make sure you always say a prayer of protection before going to sleep -ask the angels to protect you and not let anything through that does not come from God… and then ask for God’s guidance…trust you are in good hands and don’t doubt when shown…your dream speaks of trials by fire and overwhelming “floods”…this is not love… and you cannot make someone be the person you want him to be…what you are grieving for is the person you think he can be-but that person does not exist except in your mind…you have been in an abusive relationship and you need to heal yourself-not him…God will help you heal- and God will speak to him when he is ready to listen- but that isn’t something you control…God wants you to be healthy and happy and to know the love you seek- but this is not a healthy relationship and what your dream was showing you is that nothing changes each time you try again or get back together-God gave you an overview of what your life will be like if you stay in this… That is a gift from a loving Father that only wants the best for His daughter-… trust He will help you find your way if you give it over to Him and let this go… St John 14:27…Peace I leave with you,my peace I give to you;not as the world gives do I give to you.Do not let your heart be troubled, or be afraid…

((((hugs)))) hope this helps-know Jesus will be walking right beside you as you find your way… God Bless

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I too am sorry to read all you are going through. May The Lord comfort and console you and grant you strength, courage and Peace.

Where my own dreams are concerned, I would not consider them as coming from God. If indeed they do come from God, then I am sure any message He wanted to communicate, the simple fact I do not believe the dreams He sends would not frustrate His designs and the message He wished to convey He would most certainly do so despite my unbelief in dreams. If perchance I was convinced God was sending me a message via dreams, I would not believe unless I subjected the dream to my confessor/director and would abide by his advice, and I am pretty sure what it would be. I much prefer a simple uncomplicated life, including in the spiritual with nothing ‘different’ or extra ordinary …such is my preference.

Blessings - Barb

 

[puzzleannie]

it is possible that God speaks to us through dreams, although I would not advise taking any action based on such a dream without advice from a competent pastor, confessor or spiritual director.

what is far more likely is that our dreams act in the normal way as the brain sorts sensory impressions, experiences and emotions of our waking lives and tries to make sense of them, and that the events and images of the dream represent real events in our waking life, stated in very literal terms. by sorting out real waking life events and considering the dream actions literally, even with help in talking the dream out with a helpful third party (professional if the situation is serious), it is generally possible to interpret the dream as a message from self to self.

 

[AveSantaMaria]

*Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *

Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse.

Thank you for posting this! I had a strange experience last night.

Here it is: Dream: “A girl I know in real life from a few months ago comes to hang out where I am… I try to talk to her… she leaves. I discuss it with my mother and we are both troubled… she comes to hang out with me again… I try to reach her… she leaves… I am scared of her for some reason or the other. I can’t remember anymore??” I think that I am trying to reach her because of either friendship or the Catholic belief you should reach out to all but I think that I am afraid for her motives, what is going on in her heart. The dream reminds me of facebook, as the last time that I communicated with this girl was through facebook, when she wished me happy birthday a long time ago, and I planned to facebook her back tomorrow saying happy thanksgiving! thank you and trying to stay in closer contact by mentioning something that I read that she might have interest in and updating her on my summer.

So… I wake up from my strange dream and check my computer. In the hour or so that I have been dreaming, two people that I have never met before have requested my facebook friendship, most probably because I have such a religious (Catholic) facebook profile and they are Catholics. I don’t add them yet because I want to pray more first and I feel a little strange letting strangers know my contact information and details about my life just because we are both Catholic.

Any spiritual meaning behind this dream? I rarely dream so this is quite weird for me, especially since those people friended me during the hour that I was dreaming and I rarely have people friend me that I just do not know, never met before in my life.

From this post, it suggests that the majority of you all think that a dream where someone is lost and then found again then lost suggests that efforts to keep up with bad relationships can sometimes be doomed. In my case, would that suggest that I just forget about this girl? And, what do you think Catholic teaching would be about these Catholic/Christian strangers who want to be my friends? I’m thinking that maybe I should just go ahead and accept their friendship??

For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!! Jesus, I trust in you! May we be glories to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary!! For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!! Jesus, I trust in you!! May the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the Immaculate Heart of Mary that we most desperately need come down into our souls!! Jesus, I trust in you!! For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!

Free information on almost all I know on devoting oneself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
Pereptual online Adoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus louisville-catholic.net/WebCameras/AdorationChapel/tabid/825/Default.aspx
True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin montfort.org.uk/Writings/TrueDev.html
**Secret of the Rosary ** montfort.org.uk/Writings/Rosary.html
Preparation for 33 day consecration to the Blessed Virgin saintlouisdemontfort.com/consecration.cfm
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus en.wikisource.org/wiki/Devotion_to_the_Sacred_Heart_of_Jesus#FIRST_POINT._.E2.80.94_The_ardent_desire_Jesus_Christ_feels_to_be_with_us.

Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse.

*Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *

 

[almeras]

I in no way am qualified to interpret dreams, but please settle for the fact that you and your significant other are in my prayers.

God Bless