Do You Have Emotional Triggers?

I was praying for someone this morning when I felt the Holy Spirit speak in my heart. “Nothing can trigger an emotional trauma that has been released to me.”

Jesus was talking to his disciples in John 14. Verse 30 in the Amplified says, “I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on me. [He has nothing in common with me; there is nothing in me that belongs to him, and he has no power over me.]”

Can you say the same in your life? Satan has hooks in us when we do not resolve emotional hurts and traumas God’s way. Our fleshly reactions to another’s fleshly behavior is an example of unresolved issues.

I’ve had people I counsel say, “They know how to push my buttons!” My question becomes, “Why are there buttons they can push?” The answer is that there are unresolved issues which spring up unexpectedly.

Releasing the emotional pains that we have long ago buried is part of our journey of growth in Christ. We do not remember what we buried, because we have effectively disassociated ourselves from them.

The only way to true freedom is to confess that our way opposes God’s way, and embrace his way through forgiveness and release. 2 Corinthians 4:2 says, “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

Renounce means to disown. While these triggers remain buried, we own them. They are the hooks that Satan has in us. They are what he uses to disrupt our interpersonal relationships. They are also ways that he still manipulates us with.

In 2 Timothy 2:24-26 Paul was instructing Timothy on how to help those bound in Satan's snare. We must be gentle. Verse 25 says, “In humility correcting those who are in opposition…” Anything we allow to remain buried opposes God’s way.

Continuing in verse 26 it says, “…if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

God, help me to quickly respond to you when I notice an emotional trigger in my own life. I cannot fix them on my own. Guide me and teach me in your truth. My hope is in you. When I see a friend bump into a trigger, help me respond gently, knowing that their hope is not found in me or my answers, but in you alone. Help me to point to you with compassion at the right time. Amen.

Throughout the Day: If you bump into some trigger today, talk with God about it. Turn away from any lie from Satan that you see, and ask God to show you his truth. (His answer will always, always agree with his Word, the Bible.

^{This is an excerpt that was adapted from >Overcoming Resentment and republished with permission from the author.}