When you Google “trigger”, the first thing that comes up is its definition. Starting with the noun use of the word, a trigger is “a small device that releases a spring or catch and so sets off a mechanism.”
Looking at a gun, the trigger is one of the smallest components, yet it is the initiator of the firing process. That firing process results in a metal projectile exploding out of the gun’s barrel much faster than the cruising speed of a commercial plane. In some applications that speed is over 2,600mph. You would think that such a powerful process would be initiated by something equally as powerful. As we know that is not the case; it’s arguably the little triggers that can lead to the most impact.
We all have triggers in our mind from different experiences and thought patterns. Some are triggers to positive, beautiful memories and others are triggers that send us down a spiral of negative thoughts. We imagine worst case scenarios and do everything we can to shake the thoughts, but we still feel trapped in the negative spiral downward. I hope to give you some helpful tactics to get out of the never ending, downward spiral, but first, a story:
You are at a gathering with all your favorite people! Friends and family are laughing and enjoying themselves as you are, similarly, having a joyous time. Then out of nowhere someone says something that hits a nerve with you. It’s not something rude or disrespectful, the person is not even talking to you but they mentioned something that triggered a painful place in your past or even in your present. All of a sudden your mind falls down into a dark place, your feelings of enjoyment are replaced with dread, fear and anxiety. Your behavior shifts. You try to act normal and re-shift your focus, but you are consumed with negative thoughts and pain in your head. All you want to do is leave the room and get away from everyone. Does this sound familiar? Has this ever happened to you?
This negative, downhill spiral seems almost automatic and it’s happened to me many times. In those times I’ve learned to take a step back and reverse engineer the situation. I ask myself the following questions (you can write them down on a sheet of paper):
- 1. What feelings am I feeling?
- 2. What are the thoughts/phrases/beliefs that are impacting these feelings?
- 3. What is the trigger that initiated these thoughts?
- 4. Why is this a trigger for me?
- This answer can reveal a deeper insecurity or fear.
- 5. Then here is the big question: what is God’s truth for why your trigger is a trigger?
- You can research what the Bible says about your trigger
- You can ask God to reveal His truth to you for your trigger
- You can talk to trusted friends/mentors to pinpoint God’s truth over the matter
Through this process I developed a saying: triggers to truth. In the many occasions that I discovered what triggered me, I would pray that these triggers would no longer lead to negative thoughts. Instead, I would ask God to make this a trigger to His truth (usually the answer to question #5).
Before long, I found that the triggers stopped leading me to negative places and actually led me closer to the presence of God and His truth.
So, do you know what your triggers are? How do you usually free yourself from the negative, downward spiral? Are you willing to reverse engineer your situation and meet God’s truth in the process?
I understand that this may be a difficult and terrifying process for you. It takes courage to ask yourself the questions above because a lot of times it is unknown what answers you will find. However, be encouraged that asking the questions and facing the fears are opportunities for you to be who you are. God sees you as strong and courageous. That is the truth regardless if you feel strong and courageous. This is your opportunity to be it.
Be blessed.
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