Triggers Aren't the Problem

A word that has increased in popularity and use lately is "triggered."  It suggests something heard, seen or experienced has stirred a strong response within a person, an arousal of memories or feelings from past trauma.  In keeping with mankind's tendencies that go back to the Garden of Eden, it places blame on what others do rather than taking personal responsibility for our responses.  It puts on the onus on others to avoid a minefield of our potential "triggers" because of the volatile reactions that will certainly result--and justify by blaming anyone but ourselves.  The idea is others are guilty of "triggering us," and we ought not be responsible for our reaction.

Those who embrace the term "triggered" to justify violent outbursts do well to consider how triggers in firearms work.  When a live round is chambered, the safety is taken off and the trigger of a gun is pulled, an incredibly fast chain reaction begins:  the hammer strikes the primer in the casing which ignites powder that propels the projectile from the muzzle of the firearm at great speed.  In a semi-automatic firearm, the spent casing is ejected and another round automatically loaded.  Another pull of the trigger is required to fire the next shot, and this process can be completed until the magazine is empty.  Pulls of the trigger at that stage results in no further rounds being fired.

When people find themselves "triggered," rather than trying to eliminate potential triggers a person is better served to ensure they are not like a loaded gun with the safety off.  When there are no bullets in a gun, it cannot fire and poses no risk to the shooter or others:  only a quiet "click" results when the trigger is pulled.  Nothing happens.  Should we find ourselves triggered, it says something about the condition of our hearts.  Keeping the ammunition separate from the gun, installing a trigger lock, ensuring the safety is on and the firearm placed in a gun safe prevents accidental shootings, injuries and deaths.  The trouble is, there is no safety on human hearts, minds and mouths.  We can be like loaded firearms with a hair-trigger, almost wanting to go off on everything that bothers and annoys us.

The wonderful thing is those who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ are no longer at the mercy of how we feel, past trauma or experiences.  Jesus is our Saviour who makes us new creations in Him and gives rest, healing and perfect peace to those who trust Him.  His love, protection and mercy has a disarming effect upon the violence, hate and murder that festers in our hearts.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, our new inclination is to humble ourselves before God than to lash out at others.  1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."  A firearm without live ammunition can shoot no bullets, and God is able to put a safety on all triggers.  As recipients of His mercy, we are no longer at the mercy of what is out of our control.

From a biblical viewpoint, avoiding triggers does nothing to solve our problems:  we ought to keep live ammunition out of the chamber by casting our cares on God in faith.  As we ought to keep firearms in a locked safe or holstered with the safety on, we ought to refuse to take shots at others when we must address the proud, violent and hateful tendencies that reside in our own hearts.  Being reminded is not the same as being triggered, and being mindful of God's love for us we are comforted and find rest--not agitation and trouble without end.