Have you ever been in a situation where you had to stop and take a deep breath before you reacted or responded? I was just there, there were so many different avenues I could have taken. I could have acted on impulse, I could have acted out of character. I could have yelled and shouted and played victim. However, I sat down; I took a deep breath and I said, “where are these feelings coming from?”
Oftentimes, our past traumas can come up when we are triggered. It is as if in the moment your brain pulls from the library of trauma that you have experienced and you can feel in the moment that it is happening again.
It could be that you have been made fun of or disappointed in the past or stood up or overlooked, and at that moment you pull from that library and remember the pain you felt and it affects your response.
However, it is important to sit with the feeling and see where the root is coming from and why you are feeling this way. Does the current situation warrant such an impulsive response; could it be a detriment to your current relationship, friendship or circumstance? It is easy to ignore the consequences of your actions when you are feeling such a rush of feelings and emotion. It is easy to run, it is easy to shut down, it is easy to blame others, but the issue will arise again if it is not dealt with.
I’m reminded of the bible verse in Luke 3:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
The heart is the center of our being and out of it flows the issues of life. It determines our behaviors and our actions. It is important to guard your heart and submit yourselves to God that he aligns you and directs your steps.
When you yield your heart, your mind, your soul you are saying a big YES to be led by the spirit of God. There is a peace and rest that comes when you allow God to lead you. You begin to be slow to speak and quick to listen. You discern a situation before acting. You ask for wisdom and understanding in navigating circumstances that arise.
Even in Daniel 12:3 it states, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
The wisdom that God has bestowed upon you begins to shine in your life. You handle situations and relationships differently. Your transformation is shown from the inside out because even though a situation may have been triggering, even though you could have reacted the way your flesh was provoked to respond; you responded with the mind of Christ. You discerned, you were patient, you asked for understanding, and even in your response, it can lead another to forgive, to be transformed, to turn from their sinful ways.
I really hope that this has encouraged you just as much as it did for me. Is there a situation that has come up where you needed more wisdom and discernment to navigate through? Journal it out and get to the root. Be blessed!