What problems are you hoping to solve in your life? You may receive guidance for solving problems in your waking life through dreams while you’re sleeping. Not only can you discover solutions to problems in dreams, but the wonder you encounter in your dreams can inspire you to act on them, making positive change happen.
Research I describe in Wake Up to Wonder shows that experiencing awe expands perspective. People who notice wonder and feel awe gain a larger perspective on their circumstances as a result. Awe and wonder prevent our lives from shrinking down to the level of our stress. They enlarge our perspective, so we can see beyond our circumstances to hope. That’s an important skill for problem solving. In order to find solutions, we need a greater perspective that opens our minds to possibilities we haven’t considered before. Awe and wonder help us shift our focus from our problems to God – who can help us solve our problems – and use our God-given creativity to find solutions. That perspective boost often happens through our dreams.
In Wake Up to Wonder, I describe famous business entrepreneur Madame C.J. Walker’s dream about how to solve a problem. She dreamed of an angel who showed her the specific ingredients she needed to create a product that would help people like her with hair loss conditions. After she woke up from the dream, Madame Walker got to work on the product, which ended up successfully solving hair problems for many people after she brought it to market.
Here key ways to use your dreams as tools for problem solving:
Pray about a problem you hope to solve – anything from healing a broken relationship or finding a new job. Ask God to help you with solutions that go beyond what you can discover on your own. Pray for inspiration from your dreams to guide you to the next steps toward positive change.
Meditate on Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
As you drift off to sleep, think about the problem you’re trying to solve and look forward to what solutions you may discover in your dreams.
Record whatever dream details you can recall as soon as you wake up. Keep a pen and paper, or an audio recorder, by your bed for that purpose.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you interpret the dream guidance you receive.
Repeat these steps until the solution to your problem emerges clearly. Then, take whatever action you need to take to solve the problem.
Solutions to even the toughest problems in your life may be possible in ways your dreams can show you. When a problem is challenging you, sleep on it, and let wonder give you a greater perspective that can lead you toward a solution.