Metaphor of a House

While completing my seven-mile ride this morning, I passed hundreds of houses. I noticed their characteristics. Some were large, with sprawling wings and outbuildings. Others were small, barely larger than a garage. Some were almost gaudy in their landscaping and decorations, while others were sparse and simple. 

Houses are universal dream symbols. 

While counseling, I have often asked clients what dreams they had during the week. Then, we examined what the dream symbols might mean. In dreams, houses symbolize the psyche, the soul, mind, and spirit. At the beginning of her therapy, one client dreamed of a run-down tiny house. During her work, she would occasionally dream of the house again. Each time, it would be a little bigger and in a little better condition. At the end of her work, the house was like a mansion. 

Another client kept dreaming of a locked room in a house. In the dream, she kept avoiding the room, fearful of what was in it. She realized it meant there were some things she was afraid to face from her past. She had locked away the painful experiences and avoided them. With support, she made the radical God-honoring choice to open the door and face whatever was there. After doing some intense emotional work, her next dream showed the door of the room open and sunlight flooding in from a beautiful stained-glass window. 

Sometimes, facing and resolving past trauma can be daunting. But Jesus promises healing. Open the locked door so He can flood it with the sunlight of His love today. 

“The Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.” Malachi 4:2