When the World Says, “Will this nightmare ever end?”

Psalm 91:4-6 (King James Version)

 ⁴He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

 ⁵Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

 ⁶Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

One of the side-effects or symptoms of PTSD is night terrors.  They can happen waking or sleeping.  They take over all five senses:  sight, hearing, smell, tactile and taste.  They are different from dreams or nightmares in their intensity and the inability of the dreamer to awaken.

Even awake, the physical effects of the night terrors linger – lethargy, irritability, emotionalism, lack of focus, over-excitability and unfiltered startle reflex. 

These effects worsen under certain conditions (drug and alcohol use, exhaustion, financial turmoil, etc.)

Eventually, the dreamer begins to ask, “Will this nightmare ever end?”  Sometimes they feel there is only one way to end it. 

God promises that the nightmares will end.  He promises that you will not have to be afraid of falling asleep anymore.  Hold that promise.  Believe that promise.  Wait for it.  The nightmares will end.  God said so. 

When the World says, “Will this nightmare ever end?”

God says, “Don’t be afraid of the nightmares.”

Dearest Father, 

Now I lay me down to sleep, 

As the terrors round me creep.

Hide me 'neath your loving wings,

Let me rest til morning sings.

Amen