Have you ever been triggered? Do you think being triggered is a good thing or a bad thing?
Maybe you’re scrolling through social media, and a post hits you in a way you didn’t expect. Or perhaps someone says something, and suddenly, a wave of emotion overwhelms you, leaving you feeling unsettled, hurt, or even angry. Triggers—those emotional reactions to people, situations, or memories—can sneak up on us when we least expect them. And let’s be honest, they can feel intense.
But the real question is: Is being triggered always a bad thing?
What Does It Mean to Be Triggered?
The term triggered is often used to describe an emotional reaction that feels disproportionate to what’s happening in the moment. However, it’s usually not just about the present moment at all. Most of the time, triggers are tied to unresolved pain, past trauma, or deeply rooted fears. Something in the present reminds you—consciously or unconsciously—of that unresolved wound.
Triggers can range from small irritations, like someone commenting on your appearance, to deeply unsettling emotions linked to traumatic experiences. And while the instinct might be to avoid or suppress those feelings, what if we saw triggers as opportunities for growth?
Shifting the Perspective on Triggers
Instead of seeing triggers as something to avoid or be ashamed of, consider them messengers. They signal areas where healing is still needed or where God might be calling you to work through something you’ve been carrying for a while.
Think about how an alarm system works. When the alarm goes off, it doesn’t mean the system is broken. It means something has happened that needs your attention. In the same way, when you’re triggered, your emotions are sounding an alarm that something within you needs acknowledgment and healing.
In fact, Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV) gives us the perfect framework for handling triggers: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Being triggered may be God’s way of pointing out those areas of unresolved grief, unforgiveness, or pain. It’s His loving nudge toward deeper healing and emotional freedom.
The Dangers of Suppressing Triggers
Many of us have learned to suppress our triggers. We bottle up our emotions, push away uncomfortable feelings, or convince ourselves that we’re “overreacting.” But suppressing our triggers doesn’t make them go away. It simply buries them deeper, where they can fester and create even more emotional turmoil down the road.
Have you ever tried to put a lid on a boiling pot? The pressure builds until it eventually spills over. Suppressed triggers work the same way. Ignoring them doesn’t bring healing; it only delays the inevitable. Over time, they can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like isolation, emotional outbursts, or even physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and anxiety.
In contrast, acknowledging and understanding your triggers can be a path toward emotional and spiritual freedom.
Triggers as Opportunities for Growth
Here’s where the shift happens: instead of running from our triggers, what if we leaned into them? What if, rather than seeing them as something to be ashamed of, we saw them as invitations to grow, heal, and deepen our relationship with God?
1. Triggers Invite Us to Explore Our Past: Triggers often have roots in our past—unresolved trauma, unmet needs, or unhealed wounds. Rather than letting them control you, take a step back and ask: Where is this emotion coming from? What past experience is this tied to? Triggers give you a chance to uncover the parts of your story that still need healing.
2. Triggers Teach Us How to Set Boundaries: Sometimes, triggers reveal areas where we need to set or reinforce boundaries. Maybe a certain relationship or situation is draining your emotional energy, and God is calling you to set healthy limits. Triggers can highlight those moments when you need to protect your peace.
3. Triggers Highlight Unforgiveness: Often, triggers bring up old hurts that we thought we had let go of. If a certain person or situation triggers you, it could be a sign that there’s some unresolved bitterness or unforgiveness that needs to be addressed. This doesn’t mean you’re “bad” or “unforgiving”—it’s simply God showing you where you might need to release someone or something into His hands.
How to Handle Being Triggered
Once you’ve recognized that you’re triggered, what’s next? The key is not in avoiding the trigger but in handling it with grace and intentionality. Here’s a simple guide to help you navigate these moments:
1. Pause and Breathe: In the moment, when emotions run high, take a deep breath. Give yourself permission to pause. Ground yourself by focusing on the present moment and reminding yourself that it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling.
2. Acknowledge the Emotion: Don’t push the feelings away or minimize them. Allow yourself to acknowledge the emotion fully. Whether it’s sadness, anger, frustration, or anxiety, it’s important to admit how you feel without judgment.
3. Ask God for Insight: Pray and ask God, “What is this trigger revealing about my heart? Is there something from my past or present that needs healing? Show me, Lord, how to grow through this.” Psalm 34:17 reminds us, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Trust that God is there in the midst of your emotional upheaval, ready to guide you to healing.
4. Reflect on the Root Cause: When you have mental space, reflect on what might be at the root of the trigger. Journaling can be helpful here. Write down what happened, how it made you feel, and what past experiences it might connect to.
5. Seek Healing: Triggers often point to places in our lives where we need healing. This healing can come through prayer, counseling, or even setting healthier boundaries in our relationships. If you notice that the same triggers keep coming up, it might be time to seek support from a Christian therapist or spiritual leader who can guide you through the healing process.
6. Practice Compassion: Lastly, be kind to yourself. Triggers can make us feel vulnerable and even ashamed, but they are not a reflection of your worth. Everyone has triggers, and they are part of the human experience. Offer yourself the same grace that God extends to you every day.
How Triggers Lead to Spiritual Maturity
When handled with intentionality, triggers can become a catalyst for spiritual maturity. They create opportunities to depend more deeply on God, to walk in forgiveness, and to embrace emotional healing.
In fact, Romans 12:2 (ESV) speaks to this very process: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Each time we lean into our triggers with curiosity and faith, we allow God to renew our minds, transforming us into His image. Instead of reacting out of our old wounds, we begin to respond with grace, wisdom, and peace.
Embracing Triggers as a Pathway to Healing
The next time you’re triggered, instead of feeling shame or frustration, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself: What is this revealing? What part of my story is God inviting me to heal?
Triggers don’t have to be the enemy. They can be the very thing that points you toward freedom, healing, and spiritual growth. With time, patience, and God’s grace, those triggers can become less frequent and less intense, allowing you to walk more fully in the peace and joy that God desires for your life.
So the next time you’re triggered, remember this: You’re not broken, you’re unfolding. Each trigger is a chance to heal, grow, and become more of who God created you to be.
Choose to grow through it, not go through it.
