“Trigger”
The other day I was seething – inside! At that moment, reason was far away and emotions took over. I felt like a bomb about to explode.
What had happened? In a meeting, someone presented a new concept. Being competent in this subject, I had questions about it. But each of these questions was answered negatively, as if shot out of a pistol, and there was no further response. I didn’t feel noticed or heard. Overlooked and not important. Put on the sidelines.
That, I have found, is my “trigger.” Do you recognize this? For you it might be other situations, a slightly different feeling that shakes you to the core. For example, some people react to the feeling of being powerless or worthless, being cheated, not being good enough, being a failure, being rejected, or not being competent or not “right.” I have also found that I am not the only one with this fear – there is no one completely without fear!
Looking back, I chuckle at this situation and I also have to forgive myself for my reactions to this situation. But I know that the next time these emotions come up, I will struggle again. Everyone has such a deep-seated fear that has its roots in the past.
It is good to deal with this fear or “trigger.” I benefit from looking at that fear, bringing it into the light, and bringing it to Jesus in prayer. If I push it back into the dark and refuse to deal with it, it will terrorize me. I won’t get rid of it, but will make it bigger. And it doesn’t help to blame other people for it either! This is not about others, but about me. If I name the fear and get to the bottom of it, it becomes smaller and more manageable, it loses its power. I hope that I realize more and more quickly, “Oops, there it is again!” And that I am aware in these situations that Jesus has my back.
Jesus, in his love, has an answer to every fear. How many times do we read “Fear not” in the Bible? I googled it: Between 200 and 365 times, depending on the translation!
I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid; I will help you.’ Isa 41:13
Quiet times with Jesus help me; he always encourages me. It has moved me deeply and it is a big help for me that God is called “the God who sees me”. In this Bible verse, a runaway pregnant slave girl is wandering in the desert and sees no way out when God meets her through an angel.
She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, “You’re the God who sees me! “Yes! He saw me; and then I saw him!” Genesis 16:13 (MSG)
Does it matter if people don’t see me when God sees me? God’s opinion of me matters. And so, for every fear, there is an “antidote” in the Bible that I can think about, pray about, and remember over and over again.
God sees you, he loves you, he is faithful to you, he made you righteous, wonderful and unique! There are many more promises in the Bible that you may personally claim for yourself.
Which answer do you need? Which statement of God helps you with your fears? I believe that when you read the Bible, Jesus will show you what you need. Ask him about it! Pray about it and memorize it, so that in times of stress you know that Jesus never leaves you and gives you the strength to handle your fears. He helps you to cut the burning fuse before you explode!
