A Call for Repentance - Day 34: Forgive me Lord for having “triggers.”

“Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected] Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25:28‬ ‭AMP‬‬

There is a fictional superhero who famously said, “Don’t make me angry; you won’t like me when I’m angry.” What he was referencing was the fact that when triggered by anger, he became a destructive green monster with superstrength.

Obviously, none of us turn green and transform into a hulking monster when set off by anger or any other trigger. However, we can probably think of a “sensitive” area in our lives that, when touched, immediately changes us from being cool, calm, and collected, into being in a state of agitation, fear, anger, or any number of other bad states.

Now, to be clear, we are not speaking here of triggers in terms of how some people currently define a trigger. That is to say, some people see as a “dangerous” trigger any opinion or way of being and doing that they don’t like. That definition of a trigger is meant to stifle other opinions and ultimately control what other people are “allowed” to think or do.

Here we are addressing triggers as things that can happen that reveal some unsanctified (unsubmitted) area in our life.

Indeed, the trigger does not change us, but rather, reveals something that was already in us, an area not yet yielded to the Holy Spirit of God.

As children of God, our behavior, attitudes, emotions, and so on, should be molded by the Holy Spirit into the image of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished as areas of our lives come under the control of the Holy Spirit, producing the fruit of the Spirit in the way we live.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In other words, when the Spirit is in operation in our lives, our behavior reflects those wonderful attributes of the Holy Spirit, again, the image of Jesus Christ.

However, when we allow ourselves to have personal triggers, we can suddenly go from walking in the spirit, to being very carnal (reflecting the world’s way of being and doing).

In our opening scripture the proverbial writer warns that uncontrolled emotions/behavior renders a person open to trouble. This is why Paul warned that anger can’t be allowed to fester.

“And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Make no mistake, areas in our spirit not submitted to Holy Spirit control, give a place for the devil to exert his control.

Our goal must be to allow the Holy Spirit free access to ALL areas of our life so that we won’t harbor pet “monsters” that mind only the desires of the flesh.

When ALL areas of our lives are open to Holy Spirit control, all our old triggers are rendered incapable of any longer conforming us to the world’s way of being and doing.

Let’s repent for allowing triggers in our lives that can lead us into temptation and disobedience to the Lord. Let’s ask the Lord—by way of His Holy Spirit—to reveal any areas in us not yet fully sanctified (under Holy Spirit control). And, let’s always walk in the Spirit!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#callforrepentance

#resolveforhim