I had a weird dream the other night. But then, I usually do when God is working on my heart. I’m grateful for how He graciously shows me how and where my heart and my thinking need to change, even though the dreams can be quite unsettling during those night hours.
My recent nighttime mind swirls remind me of a couple other dreams that I wrote about a few years ago. As I type this note, I am praying that if you are feeling unsettled, you will receive hope and comfort from The One Who Settles Us. Lean into His peace and His presence.
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So, I had two dreams last night…weird ones.
In the first dream, I was participating in a potato peeling contest. Who even knew they existed! The other contestants and I sat at long tables in a large conference room. We each had two potatoes, a peeler, and a bowl in front of us. When the guy up front shouted “Go!” we started peeling. Furiously.
Now let me just say, I may not know how to baste a turkey, but I can peel potatoes. But a contest? Good grief.
In my dream, I won the first round. (Yay! I wish you could take pictures of your dreams and post them on Instagram or Facebook because the purple ribbon looked really great.) I woke up before the second round of the potato peeling contest ended. (Insert sad face here because my peeling hands were flying.)
I went back to sleep, and my second dream started. It had me in New York City with a group of business colleagues. We were scheduled to meet with a potential client, but one of our team members got sick. Half the group decided to go to the client meeting, and the other half decided to help our sick colleague find the hotel. I stood on the NYC sidewalk and watched one group go left and the other group go right. I was torn – wanting to help my sick colleague and wanting to be at the meeting. But instead of making a choice, I just stood there. Minutes later I realized I didn’t know where the meeting was, or where the hotel was. I was lost on the sidewalk. And not helpful to either group.
Good grief.
I woke up feeling unsettled, wondering what on earth was going on in my brain. Clearly, the feelings of needing to get things done, frustration of not making a decision, and feeling lost still stuck with me after I got up and made the bed and brushed my teeth. Unsettling anxiety is what I’d call it.
Then I read Psalm 94:19…“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Synapses started to wake up in my brain and I realized how I could settle the unsettled.
Here’s my ah-ha…
There are times when I just feel like I’m going in circles. (Sometimes, literally wandering around the house aimlessly for a few moments, trying to just stop my brain from moving so fast so I can focus more clearly.) There’s lots to do … lots to think about … lots of things that need prayer … and they all hit my heart and mind at the same time. Know what I mean?
I was reminded this morning that when those busy-mind times arrive, I need to FIRST focus on The One who is bigger than all the stuff. Focusing on the issues gets me side-tracked and raises my heart rate because I’m trying to figure it all out and fix it on my own.
David’s reminder in Psalm 94 that God’s consolation will bring joy to my soul was where I needed to start.
I need to invite God into my anxiety—invite that consolation, that comfort. I need to stop trying and stop fixing and stop thinking about the stuff. Turn my attention and focus on Him. His consolation then brings me to a place where my mind and heart slow down, work becomes clearer, and decisions are easier to make.
I’m guessing that you’ve had moments like this, when everything is jumbled in your brain and your heart is a little anxious. Join me in Psalm 94? Invite God to bring His consolation into your soul in the middle of your unsettled anxiety. Perhaps it can be as simple as saying (over and over and over again), “Lord please comfort me today. Thank you for settling me.”
Well, if you need a good potato peeler, let me know, OK? I’m your girl.
If you need directions, you may want to check with someone else.
And most importantly? When you need settling, ask God to let HIS consolation bring joy to your soul.
