Triggered

Life is not designed to be lived out in a perfect bubble. Trouble comes, darkness seeps in, and grief washes over us. However, I do believe that we can control our spaces by choosing to center ourselves with things that elevate us. To do this we must consciously try to avoid the landmines in our lives that can trigger negative feelings. In today’s climate it seems almost unavoidable to do so. It can be done. It just requires a concerted effort on our parts.

We must be aware of our surroundings and informed about the things that are happening in the world. But how do we navigate through the muddy waters of terrible news, vicious attacks, and hateful rhetoric? All of which are on constant display every single day. We navigate through those waters by choosing what comes in our space. Whatever is in your power to control is what you should aim for.

Stop following cycles of news that brings out the anger and rage in you. Stop following people that have viewpoints that will flame the fires of misunderstanding and negative emotions in you. Stop walking through landmines that you know will rage war in your spirit. There are many ugly realities of life that will show up on your doorstep without you having to invite it. Why trigger unnecessary drama in your soul by picking a fight? Why trigger rage within your spirit by purposely walking in the midst of situations that will cause conflict?

James 4:1-4 (ESV) says “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? ² You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.⁴ You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Ultimately, that is what it boils down to, indulging in worldliness. We are inhabitants of this world but we don’t have to be of this world. For if we indulge in worldliness, we will be triggered by all of Satan’s traps. We will be filled with anger and develop a contentious spirit.

James 1:19-21 (ESV) says: “¹⁹ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” We must tunnel our vision to the things of righteousness to keep things in proper perspective. God’s word is good. God’s word is true. God’s word will calm our troublesome spirit and help us to walk in his light. God’s word is the perfect counter to Satan’s antics that aim to remove us from the righteous path that he’s laid out for those who seek it.