Triggered?

Peach Tree Blossoms

Triggered.

Only in the last few years have I noticed the word "triggered" being so commonly used that it is sometimes used in jest as an everyday matter. The initial meaning of the word referred to non-joking matters that stay with you for a long time.

Being "triggered" is an involuntary response similar to sneezing. Do you ever plan to sneeze? Do you ever make yourself sneeze? Are you able to prevent yourself from sneezing? Your body automatically begins taking a deep breath before expressing a torrent of air through your nasal cavity. I try to stifle the noise of mine, but I have family members who get the full benefits of a sneeze themselves which also checks the hearing and nerve responses of others. Sometimes, I can warn those around me that I'm going to sneeze, but I have not been successful at preventing a sneeze from occurring. Such it is with triggers. Though we can position ourselves to limit some of them, we will never be able to completely avoid them while living on earth.

When we are triggered, our minds associate a smell, a taste, a sight, a sound, or a feeling with previous experiences. For example, when I see two towel hooks on my bathroom wall, I remember my Dad hung those for us. This leads to a sense of thankfulness of his gift of time mixed with sadness because my Dad is in Heaven and not with us anymore. My thoughts can travel down the path of thankfulness or down the path of grief. Both paths are there, but I can choose which one to travel in my mind.

It has been scientifically proven that when we are “triggered,” we can train our brains to choose the grateful road to travel, but it takes practice. Just as an athlete makes a choice every time he works out (or doesn't), the more he chooses to work out, the easier it becomes for him to choose "yes" each time. The more we choose the productive line of thinking, the easier it will become.

Positive roads do not erase the negative, just as having joy does not erase grief.

There is truth on both routes. If we follow the path of instruction that Paul penned in God's Word in Philippians 4:8, we can help our minds not get stuck on past experiences that bring us down.

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Yes, we need to deal with our thoughts and experiences according to Scripture (which teaches us seek Godly help when necessary), but we do not need to park in the parking lot of hopeless and unredeeming hurt, disappointment, tragedy, regret, etc... Turn into the engraved driveways of Joseph, Rahab, Hannah, Job, Paul, and many others of whom the Bible records in devastating circumstances. God's glory was produced through their lives even in the issues that seemed impossible to work together for their good. From these historical accounts, we see the end of their stories, and we can trust the same God to do the same in our lives. Our God is all about redemption and regeneration. The prince and power of the air is all about destruction and trapping, but "greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world."

I John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

The enemy is as strong as ever to pull us down in our minds. The strongholds built in our brains require not only battle gear (spiritual armor), but also action. Notice all the action verbs within the following passages of Scripture:

2 Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

The more we utilize the weapons of our warfare that God has given us, the more we will rely on God Who is our Strength and our Shield, our Defender and our Deliverer, our Refuge and our Redeemer, our Advocate and our Abba Father!"

Springtime brings us a lesson in triggers. After the bare, brown branches of the peach trees fulfil their waiting in winter, pops of pretty pink begin to bloom in the beginning of spring. I enjoy the peach trees especially, because the pink is there even before there any green leaves appear. When I see the first peach blossom after winter, my mind is triggered by its beauty and by its faithful rebloom. While my mind could go down the path that a hot summer is ahead or that the blossoms only last for a little while, my mind could choose to delight in the handiwork of God and in His faithfulness to orchestrate the seasons each year. I could take action by thanking the Lord that the blossoms are in my view this year and by praising Him for His little joys that remind me of Him.

Like anyone, I do not like triggers that make me feel uneasy, yet I have a choice of how I will respond to the thoughts and feelings that arise. Filtering my thoughts through God's Word (TRUTH) and depending on His Holy Spirit (POWER) are my sure solutions to begin the process of warding off negative spirals. What does God's Word tell me about this? What is true about God? Am I inviting the Holy Spirit to empower me? I cannot do this in my own human strength or wisdom.

In our world today, there is bad news all around whether it is of sin, sickness, sorrow, or suffering.

When I hear of sad things, I desire to be “triggered” to immediately turn my thoughts over to Christ lest I be overcome in despair.

When I see, hear, smell, taste or feel God's goodness, I want to be “triggered”to immediately be thankful to Him and to turn to Him.

This is not an area that I have mastered, but it is one that I want God to help me master as a daily practice in my life.

Triggered? Seek truth from God Himself, from His Word by His Spirit, and from wise people who live by the principles of God’s Word.