Are You Paying Attention? Your Triggers Are Talking to You!

Have you ever felt like your emotions hijack you in the middle of a conversation, a disagreement, or even a quiet moment alone? One minute you’re fine, the next you’re spinning with fear, anger, or shame, reacting in ways that surprise even you.

Friend, that’s not you failing. That’s your triggers talking.

Those triggers, those sudden surges of emotion, that lump in your throat, that tightness in your chest, are not random. They’re actually your body and soul’s way of telling you: Hey, there’s something here that still needs healing.

At one time, what caused that trigger, the pain, the fear, the overwhelm, was something that threatened you, something your mind and body learned to avoid to keep you safe. That was your internal protector. It stepped up and said, I’ve got this! It kept you from getting hurt again.

But here’s the thing: those triggers have been doing this job for a long time. They’ve been on high alert, scanning for danger, making sure you wouldn’t be hurt again. And they’re so good at their job that they don’t even stop to ask, Is this threat real? Or is this something from the past that’s showing up in the present?

Your triggers are like that. They don’t ask questions. They react. They spin like the Tasmanian devil, loud, unstoppable, overwhelming, and they don’t care who or what gets caught in their path. They don’t pause to ask if the person in front of you is safe or if the situation is actually dangerous. They just know: Protect at all costs. 

Triggers literally take over. 

But here’s what I want to say, with so much compassion: Your triggers deserve rest.

They’ve done a great job protecting you all these years. Don’t they deserve healing so they can take a well-earned vacation, maybe even deservedly retire?

Here’s the truth:

• Triggers are signals of something familiar, a memory, or a wound from the past that your heart and mind haven’t had a chance to heal.

• They often carry with them fear, shame, and, let’s be honest, the enemy’s lies, too.

• They’re not rational, and they’re not realistic. They carry a part of you that still believes it’s in the middle of the pain from the past.  Literally. 

And friend, that’s not safe. Not for you. Not for the people you love.

When your triggers are in charge, you can’t reason with them. They’ll run the show, often causing more pain instead of healing. But they can be healed. And when they’re healed, they can finally rest. And so can you.

How to Identify Your Triggers:

1. Notice Your Body’s Signals

• Tight chest, clenched fists, shallow breathing, racing heart, these are clues that a trigger has been activated.

2. Watch for Sudden Emotional Swings

• If you go from calm to angry or anxious in a flash, that’s a sign something old just got poked.

3. Look for Overreactions

• When your reaction doesn’t match the situation (like getting intensely upset over a small thing), it might be a trigger.

4. Check for Defensiveness or Withdrawal

• When you suddenly feel like you need to run, hide, or fight back, those are trigger responses.

Steps to Begin Healing Your Triggers:

1. Pause and Breathe

• When you notice a trigger, slow down. Take a deep breath. You are safe now, and you have time to respond rather than react.

2. Name It

• Say out loud (or to yourself), “This is a trigger. This is old pain showing up in the present.” Naming it helps you see it for what it is.

3. Be Curious, Not Critical

• Ask yourself: “What is this feeling trying to protect me from?” or “When did I first feel this way?”

4. Invite God Into It

• Pray: “Jesus, show me where this pain began and how you want to heal it.” He is gentle and kind and will meet you in that place.

5. Seek Support

• Healing is hard to do alone. Talk to a trusted friend, a counselor, or a mentor who can help you process and heal.

6. Thank Your Triggers

• Yes, thank them! They protected you when you didn’t know how to protect yourself. They did their job. Now, you’re inviting them to rest.

Sweet friend, your triggers aren’t the enemy. They’re just parts of you that still believe you’re not safe, not loved, or not enough. But you are safe now. You are loved. And you are enough.

Pay attention to your triggers. Listen to what they’re telling you. Then offer them the healing they need so they can rest, and so you can live free.

You are more than worth it.

So for you and your healing journey. 

Peace, love, and joy…

Rebecca Jo