Why Your Dreams Matter More Than You Think
I used to dream all the time as a child, to the point I sometimes had what felt like premonitions. Before I came to faith I leaned into that intuition and tried to understand how I had that ability. For a while after becoming a Christian I was made to feel that those gifts were somehow wrong.
I know differently now.
Doing the inner work, energy work, subconscious work, doing the hard work on myself as well as guiding others seems to allow more of the subconscious to rise up into our dreams. That’s one of the perks: things that were tucked away begin to show themselves.
Why I keep a dream journal
Dreams aren’t literal transcripts of truth. They’re full of symbols, metaphors and feeling. That’s why I keep a journal. When we record a dream and look at it from a bird’s-eye view we can notice patterns and themes without mistaking every detail for fact. I write more about the subconscious in other posts.
It stores what we absorb but we still need to discern what’s true and what’s myth, fear or projection.
Last night two dreams woke me and stayed with me in that half-awake space — the kind that insists, you must remember this. I want to share them because they felt like an honest mirror of some of the work I’m doing.
Dream one
My eldest, Seth, came home covered in tattoos — all in one afternoon — like a full makeover. It wasn’t the tattoos themselves that upset me; it was everything unsaid. In the dream I picked up little sensory clues, the things he wasn’t saying and felt the tug of what lies beneath words.
Dream two
I was travelling with family but had no direction or purpose. For a long time I didn’t notice that two of my children weren’t with us. I was the only one who seemed concerned. That sense of being lost, of searching for what’s missing, felt painfully familiar.
Both dreams, in their abstract way, pointed to real things:
the ache of being the anchor of love and safety for my family, the fear of being unseen in that role, and the test of unconditional love, not just for my son but for everyone and even for myself.
Questions those dreams raised
Who holds me while I hold everyone else?
Can I trust that love and safety don’t depend only on me?
What parts of me (the “missing girls” in the dream) need to be found and brought back into wholeness?
Dreams and Faith
Dreaming isn’t something outside of faith, it’s woven right through the Bible. In fact, Scripture shows us that God often chose to speak through dreams. They weren’t always straightforward or literal; sometimes they were symbolic, requiring discernment, prayer, or wise counsel to interpret.
Here are a few examples:
Jacob (Genesis 28:10–22): Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. This dream reassured him of God’s presence and covenant promises.
Joseph, son of Jacob (Genesis 37): Joseph dreamed of sheaves of grain and stars bowing down. These symbolic dreams foretold his future leadership and the role he would play in saving his family.
Pharaoh (Genesis 41): His dreams of cows and grain were warnings about years of plenty and famine. Joseph was given the interpretation, showing that sometimes God uses others to help us discern the meaning.
Joseph, husband of Mary (Matthew 1–2): Through dreams, Joseph received divine guidance — to take Mary as his wife, to flee with the child to Egypt for safety, and to return when it was safe. These weren’t symbolic but direct instructions for protection and obedience.
The Wise Men (Matthew 2:12): They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, which protected the Christ child.
From these stories we see that God can use dreams for:
Encouragement and reassurance (Jacob)
Revealing destiny and calling (Joseph, son of Jacob)
Warnings and preparation (Pharaoh)
Guidance and protection (Joseph, husband of Mary; the Wise Men)
As Christians, it’s not about over-interpreting every dream but about bringing them before God. Discernment and prayer are key.
Just as not every thought we have is truth, not every dream is meant to be a message. But some may hold invitations, to listen, to seek God, to reflect on what He might be showing us through our subconscious.
I now see dreams as another way God can meet us in the night, when our conscious minds are resting. They can stir awareness, highlight what needs healing, or draw us into deeper trust.
So, rather than dismissing them or fearing them, we can view dreams as one of many ways God can nudge our hearts and point us closer to Him.
How to Discern Your Dreams as a Christian
Not every dream is a divine message,sometimes it’s simply your brain processing the day, stress, or memories stored deep in your subconscious.
But sometimes, God does use dreams to draw our attention. The challenge is learning how to discern the difference.
Here are some gentle steps to help:
1. Pray First
When you wake from a dream, especially one that feels significant, begin with prayer. Ask God for wisdom and clarity (James 1:5). Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding.
2. Write It Down
Details slip quickly. Journaling your dream helps capture images, feelings, or phrases before they fade. Over time, patterns may emerge that show you where God is highlighting something in your life.
3. Test the Fruit
Scripture says we can know things “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16). Does the dream draw you closer to God, peace, or repentance? Or does it leave you in confusion, fear, or condemnation? God is not the author of fear or disorder (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Corinthians 14:33).
4. Check Against Scripture
God will never contradict His Word. If the dream aligns with biblical truth pointing to love, obedience, protection, or trust, it may hold divine significance. If it conflicts with God’s Word, set it aside.
5. Discern Symbolism vs. Literal
Some dreams, like Joseph’s warning to flee with Mary and Jesus, are clear and direct. Others, like Pharaoh’s dreams of cows and grain, are symbolic and require interpretation. Ask: is this pointing me toward a deeper truth, a warning, or an invitation to seek God more closely?
6. Seek Wise Counsel if Needed
Sometimes we need a trusted spiritual mentor or Christian friend to pray with us. Just like Pharaoh needed Joseph, we too can benefit from others helping us discern.
7. Hold it Lightly
Not every dream needs to be understood immediately. Some may make sense over time, while others may simply reflect your subconscious sorting through emotions.
Ultimately trust God’s timing, He will confirm what you need to know.
If this has sparked your curiosity about what your dreams and subconscious might be revealing, there’s so much more to explore.
Read our blog “Subconscious: Human Nature As We Know It” to learn about the subconscious and how it shapes our thoughts, feelings, and patterns. If you want to go deeper, you can book a single session to do an inner enquiry and discover what your body may be holding uncovering insights, emotions, and beliefs that are ready to be seen and released.
