Triggers of Life

Set Timer/Prayer

Heavenly Father, we first and foremost want to thank You for Your lovingkindness, tender mercies, and Your undeniable grace that has brought us into this sixth month of 2026. Father none of us could say enough thanks to You for that, because we know that we have not earned or deserved to see this first Sunday of June 2026. I pray that we can demonstrate our deep gratitude by continually offering up our sacrifice of praise to You Lord our God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to Your holy name. Amen.

Introduction

Let us stand and read Isaiah 43:18–19 “18 “Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. 19 “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”

There is a word that has been used in psychology since at least the 20th century to describe something that sets off a reaction, memory, or emotional response. It is called a “Trigger.” For us old school folks, we are not talking about Roy Rodgers horse “Trigger.”

This word really gained broader recognition and usage in the 1980s and 1990s through discussions of trauma, mainly among people  who were  dealing with conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mental health professionals started using the word “trigger" to describe sights, sounds, smells, situations, or experiences that could bring back traumatic memories or create intense emotional reactions.

Then by the mid to late the 2010s, "triggered" became widely used on social media and in popular culture. The meaning expanded beyond clinical settings and began to describe strong emotional reactions to a wide range of situations, sometimes seriously and sometimes humorously.

What Does "Triggered" Mean?

In its psychological sense, being triggered means:

An event, word, memory, situation, or experience activates an intense emotional, mental, or physical response connected to a past experience.

A trigger can cause a person to relive painful emotions, experience anxiety, feel overwhelmed, or react more strongly than others might expect.

Let me give you Some Common General Things That Can Trigger a Person, I will be general because of time  but you may have experienced some the specifics of  these generalities. Triggers can and will vary greatly for person to person.

Triggers vary greatly from person to person, but common examples include:

There are Trauma-Related Triggers:

Certain sounds (sirens, yelling, slamming doors) Specific smells, Locations associated with painful events, Anniversaries of difficult experiences, Images, or news stories related to past trauma

 There are Emotional Triggers: Rejection, Criticism, Being ignored, Feeling disrespected, Betrayal, Conflict arguments

 There are Relationship Triggers:

Abandonment, Broken promises, Being excluded, Feeling unloved or unappreciated

There are Stress-Related Triggers:

Financial pressure, Job insecurity, Major life changes, Overwhelming responsibilities

There are Spiritual or Personal Triggers:

Shame, Sin, Failures, Guilt, Failure, Unresolved grief, Memories of loss

Emotional Impact on a Person

When someone is triggered, the reactions and impact they experience can be emotional, physical, mental, and behavioral .

Emotional Reactions such as:

Anxiety, Fear, Anger, Sadness, Embarrassment, Panic, and Helplessness

Physical Reactions such as:

Rapid heartbeat, Sweating, Shaking, Muscle tension, Difficulty breathing, and Fatigue.

Mental Reactions such as:

Intrusive memories, Difficulty concentrating, Racing thoughts, Confusion, Feeling emotionally overwhelmed

Behavioral Reactions such as:

Withdrawal from others, Defensiveness, Crying, Irritability, Avoidance of certain situations, and impulsive responses

Let me share some general examples of what it can look like when a person is triggered. As always, the trigger is  most often connected to a past experience, fear, wound, or significant memory.

1. Being Ignored

Situation: A person's text message goes unanswered for several days.

Trigger: Past experiences of rejection, abandonment, or neglect.

Reaction: They may feel hurt, anxious, angry, or begin thinking, "Nobody cares about me."

2. Harsh Criticism

Situation: A superior  points out  your mistakes in the presence of other peers.

Trigger: Growing up with constant criticism or unrealistic expectations.

Reaction: The person may become defensive, ashamed, withdrawn, or emotionally overwhelmed.

3. Raised Voices

Situation: Someone hears yelling and screaming during an argument.

Trigger: Childhood exposure to verbal abuse, domestic conflict, or frightening situations.

Reaction: They may feel panic, fear, tension, or an urge to leave the room.

4. Financial Discussions

Situation: Bills are piling up and money becomes a topic of conversation.

Trigger: Past experiences of poverty, financial instability, or family conflict over money.

Reaction: Anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness, or excessive worry.

5. Feeling Excluded

Situation: Friends gather together and forget to invite you.

Trigger: Previous experiences of being left out, bullied, or rejected.

Reaction: Sadness, anger, loneliness, or feelings of worthlessness.

6. Certain Dates or Seasons

Situation: The anniversary of a loved one's death arrives.

Trigger: Grief and loss.

Reaction: Intense sadness, tearfulness, reflection, or emotional withdrawal.

7. A Particular Smell or Song

Situation: A person smells a certain perfume or hears a song.

Trigger: Memories associated with a painful relationship or significant life event.

Reaction: Strong emotions may suddenly surface, even if the person was feeling fine moments before.

8. Authority Figures

Situation: A pastor, teacher, manager, trainer, or police officer corrects you.

Trigger: Negative experiences with authority in the past.

Reaction: The person may feel threatened, become defensive, or resist guidance.

9. Church-Related Situations

Situation: A church member receives little acknowledgment after volunteering extensively.

Trigger: Feeling unappreciated or overlooked in past relationships.

Reaction: Discouragement, resentment, or a desire to withdraw from ministry.

10. Family Gatherings

Situation: Family members discuss old conflicts during a holiday gathering.

Trigger: Unresolved family wounds or painful memories.

Reaction: Anger, anxiety, sadness, or emotional exhaustion.

Have you been triggered lately, what caused it, and how did you react or respond it? There is a wide variety of people, places, things, events, sights, sounds, smells, and situations that can trigger people.

Just think for a moment words like: Holocaust, communism, socialism, slavery, Ice. Speaking of Ice, I heard a comedian say the name should be changed to NICE, (National Immigration Customs Enforcement) Be a NICE agent. We are NICE agents we want you to get into a NICE vehicle and be transported to a NICE facility. When people are protesting you can say they are running over and shouting at some NICE officers and attacking and burning up a NICE facility.

Transitional Sentence

Triggers will come whether you are a saint, disciple, Christian, believer, follower of Christ or not. Jesus predicted it: Luke 17:1 (AMP) 1 AND [Jesus] said to His disciples, Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come..............................

God has words of promises for His people that the world cannot grasp or comprehend.

1 Corinthians 2:12–14 “12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”

2 Corinthians 2:14 “14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Romans 15:4 “4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

So when you are triggered will you triumph over it, will you be equipped, and will you persevere, be encouraged and have hope? I am not here to give you some pop psychology from the culture for self-help. I am here to remind some of you what you already know and to other give you a revelation of the fact that you are not sufficient in yourself to deal with the triggers of life but in Christ you will become sufficient. 2 Cor. 3. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 “9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Main Points

Let us see what God’s word says about when the pain of the past is triggered.

First and foremost when you become a saint, Christian, believer, follower of Jesus Christ by repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross of calvary, you become a new creation and the old is passed away. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

The old of being ignored is triggered: Psalm 40:17 (NKJV)17But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God. Psalm 139:17–18 “17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.”

The old of painful past events is triggered: Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

The old remembrance of rejection is triggered: John 6:37 “37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”

The old of being harshly criticized and condemned is triggered: Romans 8:1 “1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Proverbs 15:1 “1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

When the old of sin, guilt, shame, and failures are triggered: Psalm 103:8–14 “8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”

When an old song is heard and you are triggered: Psalm 98:1 “1 O sing to the Lord a new song, For He has done wonderful things, ...................................… Psalm 40:3 “3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.”

There was a time when the pain of what you experienced in your life was formed and prospered, but now you proclaim the promise from Isaiah 54:17 “17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.” No trigger formed against you.............

Sometimes you have to stay in a verse until it stays in you!

Conclusion/Action/Application

As a beloved and precious child of God, we have sure and solid promises from the sacred Scriptures with transforming truths that will direct, guide, lead, and counsel you when you are triggered with and by some wounds of your past. This is what God wants to remind you or bring revelation of when you are triggered about the pain of the past. Listen carefully! Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIV84)18“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

How is your past holding you down? What is God calling you to do and become?  Trusting God, tell all to God, and accept the new and clean state He offers. On my morning walks and in my sacred sanctuary with God let me give you some words that reminded or was revealed to me, this applies when we are triggered. Pause, pray, praise, pivot, and receive the promises of God’s peace and presence, that will allow you to reset your spiritual focus to remember: As the old hymn says “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,   In the light of His glory and grace.

Remember

“You are not a victim of your past, you are a victor in Christ Jesus”

“The trauma of your past has no authority on your tomorrows in the mighty name of Jesus proclaim it.”

“God’s promises are greater than the pain of your past.”

“Gods promises are not under review.”

The discomfort of an trigger is not danger but development.

When God pulling you from where you have been, He is preparing you for where He is taking you!”

God did not remove the painful memories of the past, but He did transform them.”

What once hurt you, God is now using it to help you!

Do not let your old pain become your personality

Walking in the Spirit will not allow you to be triggered into panic, but triggered into praise!

Yes the the pain of the past can be triggered, precious child of God remember that we have overcome.

1 John 5:4–5 (ESV)4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Next Steps/Altar Prayer