Unexplainable Dread...What Makes Us Dread Certain Things in Life? - EncouragementMama.com

Certain things in life will fill us with dread.

• tooth extractions (had all 4 wisdom teeth out in June…NOT fun!)
• paying an unexpected medical bill (why does it cost so much?!)
• a confrontation with someone (never easy, but sometimes necessary)
• waiting for that phone call (when you didn’t get the job)
• Algebra 2 (according to my son)

But what happens when unexplainable dread comes?

If I’m honest, there are days when just the thought of finishing a work project, going to the post office, or making dinner, brings on a heaviness I can’t explain. It’s almost like I wake up with a dark cloud of foreboding or unrest hovering overhead.

Can anyone relate?

As Christians, should we feel dread? Is that even Biblical?

Here are a few examples of dread in the Bible:

“Your life shall hang in doubt before you. Night and day you shall be in dread and have no assurance of your life. In the morning you shall say, ‘If only it were evening!’ and at evening you shall say, ‘If only it were morning!’ because of the dread that your heart shall feel, and the sights that your eyes shall see.”

(Deuteronomy 28:66-67 ESV)

“For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me,
And what I dreaded has happened to me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes.”

(Job 3:25-26)

“…my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is…”

(Lamentations 3:17)

From these examples, we see that dread comes from these situations:

• worry that our worst fears will come true
• the unknown or uncertain
• an obligation or responsibility we don’t want
• continual disobedience of God’s Word and the heaviness it brings

To every feeling of dread, there is a root cause.

There is an underlying issue that keeps us from experiencing the peace that Jesus offers. It may be a habitual sin that we have allowed to continue. It may be a stronghold of worry or fear that lingers. It may be an obligation that weighs heavily upon us.

The next time you wake up with unexplainable dread, ask yourself what the root of it is.

Disobedience

If disobedience is the root of your dread, REMEMBER that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive. (1 John 1:9)

Confess it, dear one. God is for you, not against you.

Turn from it, in His strength. His Spirit will lead you to something better.

And finally, tune your ears to the still, small voice of the Spirit. He is whispering beautiful words of life in your ear.

Confrontation

Pray and ask the Lord to go before you, be with you, and follow behind you.

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV)

No one likes confrontation. It leaves us feeling sad, frustrated, and pretty much awful. But when we go forward in the strength, love, and confidence the Lord gives us, we can know that our words are covered by Him.

Fear

All of us have things that make us tremble at the thought of them coming true. So, why allow ourselves to think about them? Turn every worry into powerful prayer by…

• admitting your worst fears to the Lord, knowing He is fully aware of every situation
• recalling His goodness to you in the past and looking forward to His goodness in the future
• releasing ourselves and our loved ones into the loving arms of the Father, knowing that His love and provision far outweighs our own

Uncertainty

No one likes to be in waiting, especially when there is a possibility that the news won’t be in our favor. This is, perhaps, the biggest source of dread. But the Bible assures us not to be anxious about ANYTHING. God knows exactly what we need when we need it.

• Do you trust Him?
• Can you rely on Him?
• Will you lean into Him more and more?

Unwanted obligation

This source of dread will take a lot of wisdom and discernment to deal with. If you are anything like me, you can talk yourself out of a responsibility faster than fast. But sometimes, God calls us to do some unpleasant and difficult things.

Here are a few things to ask yourself to determine if the obligation is from the Lord or self-imposed:

• Have I agreed to something that I KNOW is outside of God’s will?
• Am I walking out-of-step with His Spirit?
• Has God called me to this difficult thing?
• Is it Biblical?

Ladies, even though there will be times of apprehension in life, I believe God intended for us to live in freedom from unnecessary dread. If you are struggling in this area, consider my in-depth Bible Study, Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer.

This study includes:

• 8 chapters about what it means to handle our worry promptly and effectively
• how to view legitimate worries in the light of God’s Word and draw comfort from Him
• how to turn every concern into prayers that are powerful and effective
• daily devotions, thought-provoking questions, and worship resources

Please note: At this time, Prayer WORRIER is only available as an eBook. But, if you’re interested in the print version, just hit REPLY to this email and let me know. You’ll be one of the first to know when it’s available in paperback!

Or, if you’d like a free chapter of the study, CLICK HERE.

Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to encourage you to wait on the Lord and let Him be the strength of your heart. Watch for His goodness and seek His peace. Soon, your feelings of dread will dissipate like a cloud that is pierced with sunlight.

I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27:13-14)

Always an email away,

Jennifer