5 Bible verses to help with nightmares: What a nightmare!
“What a nightmare!” It is sometimes used metaphorically for a frightening or unpleasant experience. For example, when my favorite team, the Kansas City Royals, loses 106 of 162 games in 2023, we can rightly call this season a nightmare. We also use this phrase to talk about someone who is unpleasant.
However, most of the time we use this term to talk about our unpleasant dreams. Some people suffer from chronic nightmares. Many of us simply have bad dreams that are difficult to get away from. Do these nightmares have a deeper meaning? What should we do if we realize that we are dealing with nightmares? Are there any scriptures that help us solve this problem?
To answer these questions, we first look at the root of the term “nightmare”.
Where does the term “nightmare” come from? (Bible class)
When you think of the word “mare,” you probably think of a female horse. Or you are very weak in spelling and you are thinking of the elected head of your city (mayor). But if you used the word in Old England (around 1400-1300), you would think of an evil spirit that walked on people’s chests while they slept.
This legend comes in different forms from German, Scandinavian and Swedish folklore. They believed that this evil spirit would try to suffocate sleeping people and thus cause nightmares. The prefix “night” is added to indicate that these disturbing experiences occur during sleep.
Thus, a “nightmare” originally referred to a nocturnal visitation by an evil spirit. Over time, the term generally refers to any disturbing dreams that occur during sleep. But this root reminds us that for centuries people believed that dreams and what happened during sleep were deeply spiritual. Are nightmares caused by evil spirits? Or is it a psychological experience that points to deeper fears within our psyche? What exactly is a nightmare?
Psalm 4:8 (New Translation)
“I will sleep and rest in peace, for you alone give me rest, O Lord.”
This verse is a wonderful reminder of God’s protective presence. This verse encourages us to rest knowing that we are safe in God’s care. Here, David was able to sleep in peace because his soul was well. Sleep is an act based on trust.
2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power and love and self-control [a sound mind].”
Timothy, a young pastor, is believed to have struggled with anxiety at the prospect of his ministry. Here, the apostle Paul reminds Timothy of the spirit that has been given to him. Fear and anxiety are not something that comes to us from God. Instead, God gives us strength, love, and a sound mind. These are tools we can use to deal with anxiety and nightmares.
If you use this verse as a tool to blame yourself in order to achieve restful sleep, it will most likely backfire. The purpose of this verse is not to rebuke Timothy, but to encourage him. Through the Holy Spirit, you have the strength to deal with these problems.
Psalm 91:5-6 (English Standard Version)
“Fear not the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that walks in the darkness, nor the destruction that wastes by day.”
Psalm 91 is often referred to as a powerful prayer for protection. The theme of this verse is that God is a strong fortress; He is our refuge. Night is the scariest time for many people. The dark can be scary – especially in an age when there were no streetlights and only flickering lights were the guide in the dark. Here, the psalmist speaks of God’s support even in darkness.
Proverbs 3:24 (new translation)
“When you sleep, don’t be afraid, your sleep will be peaceful and your mind will be at ease.”
This verse promises us a peaceful sleep. However, keep in mind the nature of the “promises” in Proverbs. Rather than firm promises, they are better understood as general rules about how the world works. If you live a life full of wisdom, your sleep will be peaceful.
Our sleep is often disturbed because we go to bed anxious. And the reason we go to bed with anxiety is because problems are looking for us. And often, these problems haunt us because of our lack of honesty and integrity—because we have not chosen the path of wisdom. The general principle is this: live wisely and you will sleep well.
Isaiah 41:10 (new translation)
“Fear therefore, for I am with you; Fear not, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with the right hand of my justice.
Isaiah 41 was written for a community in exile. They are exposed to many fears. We sometimes feel this way when we sleep. When we fall asleep, we lose control—or rather, we face the cold reality that we have no control. Meditating on a verse like Isaiah 41:10 can be a strong reminder that God is always with us and supports His children.
Today in the article : 5 Scriptures to Help with Nightmares? We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
