Stressed Out Dreaming
Last night, I dreamt my front teeth were falling out.
The issue I was trying to navigate during my abject surprise at their fluidity in my dream - other than the obvious big deal of teeth falling out - was that I had never noticed their dire condition until it was too late! Where had I been all this time not noticing how loose they were?
The loose teeth dreams are just like those dreams where I’m at school again and have to take a final in a class that I haven’t attended all year! Where had I been?
Like most people, remembering our dreams is a hard-won gift. Either our dreams are so vague that we can’t recall what they were about or we remember them only to have our “wake” brain kick in and shove the memories of the dream out of our minds forever.
But when it’s a traumatic dream - particularly one that involves teeth falling out (or missing class all semester), it can be hard to forget. I’ve heard these types of dreams usually signify loss, feelings of stress, pressure, or unpreparedness. And that sounds right. While we all go through stressful times, I know dreams like this usually signify my lack of dependence on God.
When I’m stressed or insecure, even if I don’t admit they are big problems, my subconscious will. And if my subconscious is telling me I’m stressed, then in my mind, I am stressed - which means I haven’t given the issue to God.
Of course, we should be concerned about serious issues in our lives, but when the stress is too much - when the loss is too great to the point that even our subconscious is overwhelming us - it’s time to let go and give God the problem. God is willing and able to take all of my problems and solve them, in His way and in His time.
If I’m dreaming about my teeth falling out, I haven’t given up my anxiety over whatever is bothering me. But when I fully surrender my will and tell God my requests - and let Him have His way no matter what that is - that’s an instant stress relief.
How awesome is it that we have a God who wants to take our yoke of unease and let Him carry the burden? Let go of stress, let God deal with it, and go to sleep peacefully (with your teeth intact!)
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV).
Finch Food for Thought: I needlessly stress as though God doesn’t know my circumstances. I have to remind myself, that He does, He cares, and He will handle it.