Triggers, Recognition of Triggers, and Defeat of Triggers

Many times we act because of triggers. Actually it's a reaction to something. Something sets us off and we don't always know what it is. We try to excuse it by saying something like, "Oh, that's just how I am", or, "that's just how they are."

Wrong.

Something happened in the past that caused a wall to be erected. For a time, it can withstand the triggers and we feel we've got it under control, we've got it handled, and it's no longer a problem. Once the wall can no longer stand the strain, it starts to crack. More triggers = more cracking. Slowly. Surely. Until it's back again and you don't know what causes it or how to handle it because you hid it behind the wall. You're left trying to figure out what the latest one is all about.

Kind of where I am right now. I have no idea how many walls I've put up but I do know they range all the way back to childhood. I may not get them all dealt with right away but I do know that I want to deal with them. I've learned how to recognize when it's time to deal with one because of how I feel. It's a new feeling that I've never felt in the past. The first time had to do with how my dad died. That took a good two months to deal with. Since then they have lasted shorter but that's no guarantee they will continue to be in the future.

I do have to give thanks to God for His Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit Who has been leading me to the truth as my counselor and guide. He has taken me through things with patience and love and without condemnation. I have dealt with things calmly without feeling a need to beat myself up. Burdens have been lifted.

It seems a slow process at times but it is a process. Walls are falling down. I'm moving forward.