I'm having horrific/strange/disturbing nightmares

[soul alive]

I am going through a period of horrific/strange/disturbing nightmares right now. The dreams are really vivid, and I can almost always remember them clearly. I may sleep for 7-8 hours, but wake up tired from thrashing around in my sleep, apparently acting out what is going on in the dream. The other night I even woke myself up physically speaking what I was saying in my dream.

Like everyone, I have nightmares, usually they are comparatively normal as dreams go, but every once in a while, maybe once or twice a year, I go through a period of really bad nightmares (which is what is happening now). Nothing seems to induce these. I don't watch scary movies or read scary books very often, and the dreams never are related when I do. Nor do they tend to happen in periods of extreme stress. They also do not seem to relate to anything in my life other than that I, or sometimes people I know, appear in them.

Needless to say, I don't enjoy this, I am exhausted because I don't get good sleep, and disturbed by the content of my dreams. I'm not looking for interpretations of those dreams. I've prayed for years, and had other people praying for me, for these dreams to stop, but they don't. So I can only assume that there is some purpose to them.

Please pray that I may sleep well despite these dreams, and that I may have the wisdom to understand them or the reason(s) behind them. It would be really, really appreciated. If you have any ideas, they would also be appreciated.

And if you read all of that, thank you for your time.

[justaservent]

i will pray sister, and rember your not alone
all us belivers are one family united under Jesus, and more important you have Jesus with you

[K. Ayato]

I'll be praying.

[CephasWhite]

Soul-chan, I believe God is putting you through a test of faith, will and strength, to keep fighting the evil that tries to weaken you and to fall from God's grasp.

Keep praying, don't stop, and if it happens again, take your Bible and just open it freely, don't worry about where it lands on, and read that particular section, then go and read Pslam 23. I believe you are in a spiritual battle and God wants you to win this.

You're in my prayers. Keep striving.

Lots of love and God bless,
CephasVII

[Silent Hunter]

I'm sure this has been said before by many people, but I think that CephasVII is right. It would seem that you are being tested. I couldn't begin to guess why God is testing you and your faith in this way, but knowing why He does things is not our job. Our job, as Christians is to accept what God allows to happen to us with a thankful heart. Everything He does, He does for a good reason. He loves you, and you know that. I will be praying that He willgive you rest or the endurance to go on without it.
-Stephen

[soul alive]

Thanks guys, the prayers are really appreciated. As well as the advice. I'll definately take it into account.

[freerock1]

Lifting you up. Remember, Jesus told all who were weary and burdened down to come to Him, and He would give us rest. And God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. May you find that rest and soundness of mind in your heart.

[V8Tsunami]

I will say a prayer. Here are a few things were reccomended to me by a friend of mine.
1. Every night before you go to sleep, pray that the Lord will grant you a restful sleep without nightmares
2. Sleep with an open bible next to your pillow.
3. If you can play some Christian music in your room while you sleep, do so. Not loud enough for anyone to hear, but soft enough so that it's audible.
4. If you get scared, pray "Lord Jesus protect me". And if at first it doesn't work, don't give up and keep praying.

I find that if you create an unfriendly environment for demons and such (i.e. the open bible and the Christian music), it makes it much more difficult for them to attack. Prayer works every time. God bless and hang in there.

[SP1]

I will pray for you. Here is a bit of advice, that's not quite so mystical. Sometimes, our dreams are our brain's way of dealing with issues. Because the subconscious mind deals in symbols, the communication can seem foreign and scary.

Remember that God is protecting you so, in reality, you have nothing to fear from these. Scary, yes, but not dangerous. If you seem some recurring theme, person, or situation in the dream try to do the following: wake up enough in the dream to turn and confront your tormentor (whatever it is), standing in the strength of the Holy Spirit. DO NOT try to attack, banish, or rid yourself of the thing, just ask it a question: "What are you trying to communicate to me?" You'll be half asleep when this happens, but with a few tries you should get it going good enough. Oddly, the thing might completely stop and engage you in conversation, since the "nightmare" was really your subconscious mind trying to get your attention in the first place.

I recommended this technique to someone who was having recurring nightmares about being chased by a giant snake that attacked all of her friends and family and then chased her down a tunnel. When she finally asked it why it was chasing her, it told her that she was running a risk of making a serious mistake that would hurt her friends and family. The dreams stopped after that.

Disclaimer: SP1 is not a psychologist or counsellor! Your concerns might simply be caused by excessive consumption of Welsh Rarebit a few times a year.