I recently had a recurring dream that varied in intensity but with the same theme. It was dark, menacing, and tormenting. I would wake myself up due to a dark presence that would poke at me, torment me, and stand over me. I tried to yell out for help, but I couldn’t get the words out. After what seemed like several iterations of waking and falling back asleep only to be terrified, I tried to yell out the name of Jesus but was met with the mocking of this dark presence. I couldn’t see anything, but I could feel its insidious existence. I recall trying so hard not to fall back asleep. I kept telling myself “Don’t go to sleep.”

I’ve had frightening dreams before where I would run from someone only to find myself falling further and further into quicksand. In other dreams, I was chased and found myself running in slow motion while my predator was quickly approaching. I bet the readers of this blog can relate to their own menacing versions of being chased, shot at, or pinned down and unable to get free. Most people can remember some version of a menacing dream in which they are in a helpless state. This dream was different. This dream didn’t have an attacker that could be seen. This dream didn’t have 2 legs, 2 arms, and 2 eyes. This ominous foe wasn’t of this world; it was dark, frightening, evil, and intent on instilling pure terror in me. I would venture to say I am not the only one who has ever experienced such a dream.

Ephesians 6:12 warns us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Do I believe this: yes!  I also believe that at the name of Jesus, even the demons shudder (James 2:19).  That is why I cried out to Jesus and prayed for God to surround me with his army of angels.

 I finally fell asleep and awoke at 4:30 a.m., just before my alarm went off. I had fallen asleep and spent the rest of the night without dreams. After a silent moment of thanks to God, I pondered my dream and the pure terror I felt. It occurred to me that we will all be introduced to eternity one day: an eternity of peace or an eternity of terror. What I felt that night; the torment, the taunting, the fear, the pain of being poked and prodded, was just a minuscule taste of what hell would be like. I don’t want any part of it, nor do I want any friends or family to experience it. The Psalmist described it best when he wrote “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” Psalm 84:10 (only part of the verse is copied here). 

Jesus told us that we would have trouble in this world. He also told us to go and make Disciples of others. He didn’t suggest this, he commanded it. He knows what terror will ensue on someone who actively denies him and the Father. I choose his way. I choose Christ.