Triggers

The other day my daughter and her two friends lured me out of the house and into the garage to soak me with their water guns.  Throughout all their attempts to get me out of the house, deep down I knew that they were up to something, and was not surprised once I was in an open space that they pulled the trigger and succeeded in their goal-to soak me.  We all had a good laugh and it made the day of at least three 13 yrs. old girls.


The pulling of the trigger is an image that I believe helps us in dealing with what goes on within our hearts.  Jesus says: Do you not see that zwhatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?1 18 But awhat comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come bevil thoughts, cmurder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, dslander. 20 eThese are what defile a person. But fto eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (Matt. 15:17-20 ESV) Basically, Jesus is saying this: "What we are believing in our hearts about God and ourselves will affect then how we live among others when faced with the many challenges in our lives."


So what does this have to do with "pulling the trigger"?  Take my example from my blog, "Transitions are hard."  This current transition has revealed again the over desire to feel wanted by others.  One of my triggers is when I receive the rejection email from the church.  What will I do with that rejection?  Will I let if affect me to the point of taking it out on my family by withdrawing from them or speaking to them in an unloving way.  How my "mouth" that Jesus talked about in the above verse plays itself out depends upon if I pull the trigger.  The trigger is stationary, it doesn't do anything until one pulls it. I didn't get soaked until the girls pulled the trigger. The trigger could be a disappointing conversation with a spouse,  your son or daughter not respecting you, being passed over for a promotion at work, a colleague confronts you on a mistake, not getting the A on the test you diligently studied for, a woman you really like rejects your offer for a date,  getting a parking or speeding ticket, receiving an unexpected tax bill---you get my drift.  The normal and not so normal stuff of life often are triggers.  


What we do with these triggers (if we pull them or not) often shows us what our hearts believe about God and ourselves.  What are your triggers?  What do the triggers show you about your heart (what is important to you, what brings you most life-Jesus or feeling wanted, respected, and valued by others, for example)?  And when you pull the trigger where do the bullets shoot (anger towards your family or God, harsh and flippant words, porn, depression and withdrawal, critical and judgmental towards others, jealously or envy towards others, resentment and lack of forgiveness, lack of trust towards others and God, ignoring the needs of and disregard for others, gossip and tearing down of others, etc.).  Pulling the trigger often affects those around us!  (Much like how the girls pulling the trigger of their water guns affected me:))


I leave these words with you from Jesus as you and I honestly seek Him in working through the triggers of life.  His Grace abounds and gives all the resources we need to live life!

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; [26] yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. [27] All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.  [28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30 ESV)