Drowning in a dream

Biblical meaning from Hearing God's Voice in Dreams by Apostle Nicholas V. Mbanjwa

Also: Sinking under water, Suffocation in water, Going under, Being pulled under

What it means

Being overwhelmed and swallowed by life's situations and troubles.

Being overpowered by a situation beyond one's strength.

Peter began to sink when he looked at the wind rather than at Christ, and his cry was three words long. Drowning dreams often concern the moment attention shifts from the One who called.

✦ When it is positive

Being lifted out of the water by another, representing deliverance the dreamer could not achieve alone

⚠ When it is a warning

Being overpowered
Lacking control
Being in need of saving
Waters come in unto the soul

How to tell the difference

Note WHO or WHAT pulls the dreamer down, and whether anyone reaches for them. Drowning with a hand extended is a dream about rescue; drowning unseen is a dream about isolation. If the water is dark or others are beneath the surface, read alongside Underwater.

Scripture

¹Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck! ²I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
Psalm 69:1-2 (WEB)

¹⁴Deliver me out of the mire, and don’t let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters. ¹⁵Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don’t let the pit shut its mouth on me.
Psalm 69:14-15 (WEB)

³⁰But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” ³¹Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:30-31 (WEB)