So I don’t know about you but it seems like everyone is being triggered lately, I’m not surprised, to say the least, because we are living in a very triggering world and time. with some much happening and everyone gathering together in these tight spaces called social media to give their opinions, advice, and just basically anything that comes to mind especially if it will make you “ go viral” or get your views up so that they can keep feeding that “I need to be liked “ mentality.
you can become very triggered by those things you’re seeing or maybe you finally decide to unpack some of those bags from your past that’s been holding you back from being all that God has called you to be, maybe you have little people depending on you to train them in the way they need to go but you seem to find yourself irritated, detached and cold when they show emotions you just don’t know how to handle because simply put you were never allowed to feel them yourself.
So what are triggers?
Triggers can be something that has a big effect on your emotional state and might cause a big impact that can influence your behavior when they happen.
Some triggers can be something external ( your senses see, touch, hear, taste or smell ) or internal ( ex. certain words or phrases, events that remind you of a traumatic event )
Some of the effects that unaddressed triggers have can be activating your fight or flight mode, stopping you from showing up for yourself or your family, reacting in a way that is out of your normal character due to feeling unsafe.
So what is trauma?
Merriam Webster states that trauma is a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time. As I was doing some digging on trauma I found there are 3 different types of trauma :
1. Acute trauma which results from a single incident.
2. Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse.
3. Complex trauma is exposure to multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.
Some effects that trauma can have when suppressed or ignored completely can result in you being a highly anxious person, depressed, you may not be able to deal with conflict especially if your trauma stems from some form of abuse and can have a really big hit on your self-esteem and choice that you make.
(Bible Plan: From Trauma to Triumph)
Myth: The People that trigger you are to be held responsible for your reaction and you have the full right to let them have it.
Truth: When you are triggered you are responsible for your reaction.
“for God gave us a spirit, not of fear but power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
God has given us not only power, love but self-control! In another version it says and a sound mind, I don’t know how about you but when I’m triggered by situations and I feel like I’m just right at the edge of an explosion, I remind myself and to be honest sometimes my husband or a close friend reminds me to that I have a sound mind and whatever trigger that trying to go off is not greater than what my God has given me.
There have been many times in my journey that I have been triggered or unfortunately have triggered someone else with either actions or words. To be completely honest there are so many traumatic events that I have encountered that simply being called pretty used to trigger me or when I and my husband got into an argument if he would raise his voice even a little I would become tense and quiet or if my toddler decided hit me and fold his little arms to show me he met business I would begin to feel disrespected and not in control every time I’ve ever felt out of control would flood my mind and suddenly I’m repeating a cycle I was put here to break.
I learned I have control over my reactions and once I started to unpack those traumatic events, bind and loose the lies that kept me bound, receive the truth of who I am. I could no longer operate in the “ this is just the way I am” mentality.
Myth : (this comes from sparkfamily.com)
“ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE EMOTIONALLY WEAK WILL BE AFFECTED BY TRAUMA.”
Truth: (also from sparkfamily.com)
“PTSD and trauma, like all mental health concerns, can often look different for each person. No two people will experience trauma in the same ways, even if they’ve experienced the same event together. Many different factors can influence how someone will react to a traumatic event – some people may have stronger support networks or personal coping mechanisms in place that make them more or less prone to lasting psychological harm. People who do go on to develop PTSD or who struggle significantly in their lives post-traumatic-event are not weak. Trauma recovery is incredibly complex, and it is virtually impossible to predict individual reactions. Having strong support systems and effective coping mechanisms can be incredibly helpful for many in the aftermath.”
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
My experience with trauma started at the age of 3, some of the events are still very hard to speak about but some thanks to God healing me in those areas, learning that it wasn’t my fault, making peace with the people, and even just learning to love myself despite the lies I’ve been told. I use to make my past trauma who I was, every failure was because of it, every accomplishment I would “ remember where I started and I became paralyzed by the diagnosis and the people telling me how I was that I lost my identity before I even really found it .
I learned that my traumas are just paragraphs in my story; they weren’t the main headings. I have started to journal and share my story with other women to not only let them know I’ve been there to but to show them that that’s not where they have to stay . Your trauma is your testimony , the hell you have been through wasn’t for nothing .
Overall , I hope this helps you learn the truth of trauma and triggers . I pray that sharing a little of my experience will help you to start your healing journey so you can be a healthier, happier version of yourself . If you are reading this and you want to chat more about trauma or triggers or just need a listening ear , make sure to contact me and set up a FREE 30 minute call .
If you are looking for a support group mama’s , make sure to get into my Private Facebook support group ! We will be starting a challenge this coming week and I would love for you to join
Don’t forget to like , share and comment !
The Young Faithful Mama 