In the event you’ve by no means skilled sleep paralysis, let me paint an image for you. Think about waking up, however not with the ability to transfer a single muscle. You’re frozen, but you may see all the pieces occurring round you. Simply then, a darkish entity enters the room. It watches you at first, then it begins shifting nearer in direction of you, crawling up onto the mattress, and onto your chest.
Ever heard of one thing known as Previous Hag Syndrome? The Previous Hag is without doubt one of the most continuously reported figures individuals see throughout sleep paralysis. Individuals describe seeing an outdated girl with lengthy, matted grey hair and black, soulless eyes. She sits in your chest, strangling you, when you’re conscious however totally unable to maneuver. Sound terrifying? Properly, it’s–and I do know first hand.
However, what if I instructed you there’s a solution to cease these assaults of their tracks—and preserve them from taking place altogether? Earlier than we get into that, although, let me clarify what sleep paralysis is from a medical perspective, after which I’ll take a look at this from a Christian perspective. After that, I’ll share my very own terrifying experiences with it. And eventually, I’ll reveal how one can cease these assaults as soon as and for all. So, prepare—that is going to be an attention-grabbing journey.
What Precisely is Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep paralysis is an odd and unsettling expertise the place you end up awake however unable to maneuver or converse, proper after falling asleep or simply earlier than totally waking up. Usually, sleep and wakefulness are two separate states, however throughout sleep paralysis, these strains get blurred. You’re acutely aware, however your physique feels trapped, and many individuals report seeing scary hallucinations or feeling like one thing is urgent down on them, making it laborious to breathe. Specialists suppose it’s a mixture of being awake whereas nonetheless partially in REM sleep—the a part of sleep the place we dream and our our bodies are naturally paralyzed. So, you’re caught on this in-between place, totally conscious, however your physique continues to be in sleep mode.
An estimated 75% of sleep paralysis episodes additionally contain hallucinations which might be distinct from typical goals. Hallucinations throughout sleep paralysis fall into three classes. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias/sleep-paralysis
- Intruder hallucinations: These hallucinations contain the notion of a harmful individual or presence within the room.
- Chest strain hallucinations: Additionally known as incubus hallucinations, these episodes could incite emotions of suffocation or the feeling that somebody is sitting in your chest. These continuously happen in tandem with intruder hallucinations.
- Vestibular-motor (V-M) hallucinations: V-M hallucinations can embrace emotions of motion, reminiscent of flying, or out-of-body sensations.
Analysis means that wherever from 8% to 50% of individuals will undergo sleep paralysis no less than as soon as of their lives. In 2011, analysis from the Sleep Analysis Society discovered that 7.6% of the final inhabitants had skilled it no less than as soon as. Nevertheless, sure teams, like college students or these coping with psychological well being challenges, usually tend to expertise it, with charges round 28% and 32% in these teams.
The Historic Perspective
Sleep paralysis isn’t a brand new phenomenon. It has been documented for hundreds of years. In historical Babylon, round 2000 B.C., there are references to nocturnal assaults by spirits In medieval Europe. Sleep paralysis was typically linked to the presence of witches or demons. The time period “Previous Hag Syndrome” comes from the idea {that a} witch, or “hag,” would sit on the chest of the sufferer, inflicting a sense of suffocation and paralysis. In some components of Asia, it was regarded as the work of evil spirits making an attempt to own or hurt an individual.
The primary medical account of sleep paralysis was recorded in 1664 by a Dutch doctor, who wrote a couple of girl experiencing the situation. “The satan lay upon her and held her down,” he described. He known as it “Incubus or the Night time-Mare.” The time period “Incubus” comes from the Latin phrase which means “to sit down on.”
A Christian Perspective
Although the Bible doesn’t straight deal with sleep paralysis, there are scriptures that relate to the non secular struggles believers could face, which could be utilized to understanding sleep paralysis. For instance, 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of concern, however of energy and of affection and of a sound thoughts.” Once we expertise concern throughout sleep paralysis, we are able to take consolation in figuring out that concern isn’t from God, and we’ve the authority to beat it.
Many Christians have shared that calling on the title of Jesus throughout a sleep paralysis episode brings instantaneous aid. This strains up with scriptures like Philippians 2:10, which says, “That on the title of Jesus each knee ought to bow, in heaven and on earth and beneath the earth.” Whether or not sleep paralysis has a non secular aspect or is solely a neurological difficulty, numerous believers can testify to the ability of Jesus’ title of their lives. I found this reality firsthand.
My Personal Encounter With Sleep Paralysis & the Previous Hag
My first encounter with sleep paralysis occurred again in 2014. That day is seared into my reminiscence. It was round 8:30 within the morning, and I used to be exhausted from not sleeping effectively for days. I had simply completed drying my hair and determined to lie down for a couple of minutes. Subsequent factor I knew, I used to be awake—solely I couldn’t transfer.
I used to be mendacity there on my again, precisely the place I had laid down, however I used to be paralyzed. The solar was pouring via my bed room home windows, making the room brilliant, however then I noticed one thing that stuffed me with dread. The lavatory door slowly creaked open, and out got here this outdated, haggard girl with lengthy, nasty hair. She burst out of the toilet, jumped onto my mattress, and climbed proper onto my chest. I used to be making an attempt with all the pieces in me to scream, to maneuver, to do something—however I used to be utterly frozen.
She stared down at me with these deep black holes the place her eyes ought to’ve been, after which she began choking me whereas laughing hysterically. The expertise felt like it will by no means finish, however then, abruptly, I may transfer once more. I gasped for air, my make-up was working down my face, and I used to be utterly matted and out of breath. It wasn’t a dream—I do know that with each fiber of my being. I’ve had nightmares earlier than, even actually dangerous ones, however this was completely different. This was actual.
After that first expertise, I dreaded going to mattress, however fortunately, I didn’t undergo it once more for years. Then in 2021, it occurred as soon as extra. This time, although, issues had been completely different—I had been saved, really saved by Jesus Christ. What occurred subsequent was in contrast to something I’d skilled earlier than.
It was round 3 p.m., and I laid down for a fast nap. I fell right into a deep sleep, and similar to earlier than, I awoke unable to maneuver. Despite the fact that I used to be in a distinct home, the overwhelming feeling of concern was the identical. I lay there, paralyzed with terror, half-expecting that outdated hag to burst out of the toilet once more. My canines had been mendacity beside me on the mattress, utterly unaware of the nightmare I used to be trapped in.
Then I noticed it—however this time, it wasn’t the outdated woman. It was a person. His head appeared on the foot of the mattress, simply peeking over the mattress, staring proper at me. His scalp was burned, no hair, simply uncooked, pink pores and skin. His eyes had been stuffed with pure evil, and his sinister grin revealed sharp enamel that made my coronary heart race in concern. The extra frightened I grew to become, the broader his grin grew.
I used to be terrified he would damage my canine, who was mendacity proper there, however Petey appeared oblivious, utterly unaware of the evil presence within the room. Determined, I attempted to maneuver, to shake myself awake, however I used to be caught. The determine started crawling up the mattress, similar to one thing out of a horror film, that terrifying grin by no means leaving his face.
In that second, I knew precisely what I needed to do. Simply as that demonic determine was about to succeed in me, I cried out in my thoughts, “Within the Identify of Jesus!” The moment I known as on His title, I awoke, gasping for air, tears streaming down my face. I may really feel the presence of Jesus in my room—I knew He had rescued me from that evil.
I haven’t skilled sleep paralysis since, and deep down, I do know I by no means will once more. That encounter felt as actual as something I’ve ever been via, and I’m sure it was calling on Jesus that saved me.
How Ought to Christians Reply to Sleep Paralysis?
For Christians, sleep paralysis is usually a time to mirror on the truth of non secular warfare. Whereas not each occasion of sleep paralysis is essentially a non secular assault, it might probably function a reminder to remain vigilant in prayer and to depend on the energy of Jesus. Ephesians 6:10-11 encourages believers to “be sturdy within the Lord and in His mighty energy. Placed on the entire armor of God, that ye might be able to stand towards the wiles of the satan”.
Prayer is a robust software, not simply within the face of sleep paralysis, however in all points of life. In the event you or somebody you recognize experiences sleep paralysis, it’s necessary to do not forget that God is in management, and He’s all the time with us, even in probably the most scary conditions. Psalm 91:5-6 reassures us, “You’ll not concern the phobia of evening, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks within the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at noon.”
In sensible phrases, sustaining a wholesome sleep routine, lowering stress, and making a peaceable setting for sleep may help scale back the probability of sleep paralysis. However above all, staying linked to God via prayer and scripture will present the final word consolation and safety.
I pray that my story may help somebody who could also be going via this proper now. God bless.
