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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Jephyr's Dream: On A Lake In A Storm, Alone And Blind


Warning:  This post contains several blatant references to God.


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The Knight's Dream - Antonio de Pereda - 1655
Public Domain
I've decided to share a dream I had recently...and then offer my interpretation of it. 

I don't always think there are meanings to our dreams...but sometimes when one really sticks with me...I feel it takes on a greater significance.

Also, usually if I don't think about a dream immediately upon waking...it is quickly forgotten.  But in this case, I didn't start to think about the dream until I was already up and moving around...and to me that gives it an even greater weight.

The beginning of the dream was much longer and involved but none of that stayed with me.


But here is what I vividly remember:
 
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My Dream:

I'd fallen asleep on one of those pool rafts you inflate and lay on...and was floating out on a lake.  

I began to slowly wake up and was very groggy.  I found myself laying on my belly with my arms hung over the sides of the raft and into the water.  I could hear and feel the water splashing up on and around me, and that and the movement of the raft on the choppy waves was part of what woke me.

Artist's Interpretation Rather Than
An Actual Photo From The Dream

Earlier I knew I'd been with a group of family and friends but now, after falling asleep, I was alone.

At the same time I began to come fully awake I realized that a storm was rapidly moving in. 

I thought to myself, "Why didn't anyone wake me or help me...why would they leave me sleeping out here on the lake alone with a storm moving in?"


Suddenly....it became PITCH black.  I literally could NOT see my hand in front of my face.

I felt very uneasy and knew I wanted to to try to make my way to shore as soon as possible, so I began to blindly paddle with my arms hoping I could find my way to land in the absolute darkness.  

And in my desperation I prayed:

Something simple, like:  "Oh...Dear God, in the name of Jesus, please help me."

Rembrandt - Christ in the Storm
Public Domain

Immediately I could see that I was within reach of some grassy, reedy plants along the shallows of the shore.


Then in the next moment I was out of the water and up on the bank.

As dreams often go, it got a bit more jumbled from then on and my memory of it gets more and more dim...but I do remember that it went on for quite a while longer.

It was only after waking up for real that I began to really think about the part of the dream I've just related, and decided it it was a very interesting.

First:  That I prayed...something I've not done often in my dreams that I'm aware of.

And second:  It was amazing and ultra cool that my prayer was answered so quickly!



But I also wondered if it had a deeper meaning.
 



Some Info On Dream Interpretation:


Painting:  Ivan Aivazovsky - 1898

 

After writing about that dream above, I searched for:  "what does water mean in a dream".  The first link took me to DreamDictionary.org - Dreams About Water.

I don't always put stock in such things, but in this case some of the "meanings" they suggested there really resonated with me.

 



They suggest that:


  • Water is a powerful dream symbol that holds deep messages to the dreamer and shouldn’t be over looked.  
  • Water as a dream symbol represents your current emotional state of mind. 
  • Sometimes when we are unable to show our emotions in our walking life our dreams tend to bring them out in different forms.  
  • Recognizing the events in your water dream can benefit you in many ways mentally and physically. 

They go on to define different symbolic meanings that apply directly to events in my dream:


  • Splashed by Water - This is a dream symbol where you unconscious is telling you to wake up!  Get back on track with your life and stop stalling.
  • Water Storms – Storms in dreams can represent a deterioration of the past experiences or relationships. Storms represent a bad situation that we are in emotionally. 

As I related, in my dream I couldn't see...or it was too dark for me to see anything...it was utterly pitch black.  So I also did a search about "not being able to see in our dreams"...but couldn't find anything specific on that.


But I found something that I feel applies on http://www.dreamgate.com/.  They say there that we can and should interpret our own dreams and if that interpretation seems right and makes sense to us...then we can be reasonably sure that it IS right.




My Dream Interpretation:

In my dream I was alone, blind and helpless, floating out on a lake with an approaching storm.

Photo:  Alessandro Zangrilli

At times, I've felt that way in my life...
that I'm alone on an ocean of water with storms all around me and I can't figure out how to change my situation or what I can or should do...and there is no one willing or able to help me.  I'd had a strong case of those feelings in the days around that dream. 
 
BUT...I've also been "sleeping"...or groggy and not fully awake...and there are definite things I should finally "wake-up" to...things I know I can and should be doing.


And finally, while it appears I am alone in these circumstances...when I pray God is able to quickly answer me and provide the help I need.



19 comments:

  1. Interesting dream.
    My daughter has vivid dreams and often she knows how to interpret them. I, on the other hand, don't very often remember my dreams but the ones that I do remember are usually very deep in meaning and often demonic attacks.

    I find it very cool that in your dream you prayed and God answered right away. So whatever you interpret this dream to mean, cling to the fact that when trouble arises, pray and trust that even though you may not see an immediate answer to your prayer, God is answering you just might have to wait to see His answer.

    Thanks for sharing your interesting dream.

    <><

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    1. So true Child of God...I do believe that about answers to our prayers! I had another water dream last night...and in this one a flood was raging down a city street...and I saw people trying to go on about their business...but many were struggling in the water. When I woke up I thought of it in light of this first dream...but in this latest dream I was an observer...dry and protected. In fact I hadn't even been aware of the flood until I turned a corner and came upon it. So I think that the "theme" of protection was there in this latest dream too. : )

      It's awesome your daughter has those vivid dreams and interpretations. It's wonderful your get "deep" dreams too...but I'm sorry you have to suffer through any bad ones.

      For many years I used to have sleep paralysis in my dreams (where you feel stuck between sleep and being awake and you cannot move or speak). I would try to call out for help in my dreams..trying to ask for help from people around me...but I could barely speak and they wouldn't respond. Then a friend and I discussed asking for God’s help in dreams. One night I had sleep paralysis again and all I could say was "Jesus!". I was immediately released and have never had trouble with them again. : )

      Thank you as always for stopping by and commenting!

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    2. Hi Jephyr,
      I have not heard of sleep paralysis before, but reading how you have described it I do believe I have experience this too. Crying out to Jesus always frees it for me. I don't have this very often but usually it is a demonic attack on me or someone I am praying for. I will cry out to Jesus and then start praying for who ever is on my mind. The freeing feeling is so amazing.

      Thanks for sharing, I find dreams amazing and I wish I could remember more of them.

      Blessings,
      <><

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    3. Hi Child of God,

      I'm sorry to hear that you've suffered from ANY sleep/dream problems...but am so happy to know that you know Who to turn to...even in your dreams! : )

      I so understand the feeling of freedom you describe. I'd had many, many dreams with sleep paralysis through the years...and since calling out to Jesus in my dream I've not had one since.

      I feel like sharing Act's 2:17: ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

      Thank you as always for sharing here! God Bless you!

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  2. Hi Jephyr,
    I too have had many dreams and usually understand what is being said to me as there are usually spiritual meanings to them. Before I came to the Lord I used to have many frightening nightmares, and I had all my life experienced strange, supernatural experiences. These dreams continued for a short time after I became a Christian until one night I had a very frightening dream. Within this dream, at a moment when I was unbelievably frightened, and when the things happening felt totally real, I remembered the Lord. I cried 'Lord Jesus help me' in a voice that was so filled with fear that I had to litterally force each word out. I immediately awoke and have never had such dreams again. Our God is stronger, more powerful than all opposing spirits and is also able to speak to us as He did in your dream. When we are in deep darkness and turmoil, there is only one Name we can call upon to bring us to safety. Praise His lovely name.

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    1. Hi Brenda, Thank you so much for sharing about your dreams and what set you free!! If you read my reply to Child of God you'll see I was set free from sleep paralysis.

      Thank you so much for commenting and sharing...perhaps someone will read our discussion and be set free from whatever oppression they're under!

      Thank you both as always for your bold witnesses and testimonies!! God Bless you!

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  3. Hi Child Of God and Brenda! Thank you both for stopping by and commenting on my "dream" post. I'm studying for an exam and don't have time to give full replies for now...but will do so after Wednesday.

    Thank you both again...and God Bless!! Jephyr! : )

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  4. Hi Jephyr,
    I think your second dream, unlike your first dream in which you were rescued, shows that there are others that need rescuing too and shows the importance of sharing the gospel. For a week now I have had experiences in which the theme of 'rescue' has been highlighted. I will probably share it as part of my next post.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Brenda, That is so true about the others in my dream...and I agree that that is definitely part of the message. Thank you for helping underline that for me!

      I'll look forward to visiting your blog...and am looking forward to reading about that "rescue" theme in your blog.

      God Bless you Brenda...thanks as always for sharing here!

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  5. Hi Jephyr,
    I have left a message in answer to your comment on my blog 'fatherithankyouforjesus', but I thought I would come over to mention in case you didn't read it. On the post I am about to write on 'rescue'on my other blog I would like to mention the dreams you had as they are part of what has been highlighted to me. I will give your blog address so that any reader can come over to see the details of the dreams if that is alright with you. Please say if you do not wish me to mention.
    God bless

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    Replies
    1. Hi Brenda, I'd be happy to have you refer to or link etc to this post or my blog. I'll look forward to reading your "rescue" post! : ) I'll also reply over your way to make sure you see my reply.

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  6. By the way Jephyr hope your exam studdying pays off.

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    1. Hi again!

      My studies are going great! I'm learning so much...we have an excellent, enthusiastic instructor for Early Art History. I may begin to share some insights that apply directly to the days we are living in!

      God Bless you Brenda!

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  7. Thankyou Jephyr,
    I will add your blog add to the reference to your dreams, I am not sure yet how to 'link' where it will take you straight to the site by clicking on it. Another blogger gave me info - will have to look it up again. Glad you are enjoying studies. Sounds fascinating what you might share.

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    1. Hi Brenda, If you just want to mention my blog...that is perfectly fine.

      I may try to put together a tutorial on creating a link and if I do I'll share it with you.

      Our mentions of my studies are prompting me to create a post about that. Finding the school I'm at was a definite answer to prayer!

      God Bless you! Hope you're having a wonderful day!

      :)

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  8. Had a wonderful day today thankyou Jephyr ( I keep going to call you Zephyr ). Look forward to reading that post.

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    1. Hi Brenda, Hopefully those good days will be many for you! : ) Zephyr is actually part of the origin of my name...(dad called me Jeffer - mom took us kids on the California Zephyr - a train from Colorado to Nebraska every summer = Jephyr : ).

      I'm finishing a video for a competition right now so I have limited time...but hopefully soon I can post about the answer I received from God about school!

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  9. Hope you do well in the competition.

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    1. Thank you Brenda! There were some twists and turns...I'll write a post about it and include the video! : )

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