When you’re triggered, it’s you, not them.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

I used to think this proverb was about protecting ourselves from the big bad world out there. I don’t anymore.

We’re not triggered when someone calls us a “Purple Monster.” But we’re triggered when someone pokes a pain from our childhood. It’s you… not them. You don’t need to avoid the people who trigger you. They’re helping you. It’s time to dive into the place of pain, find that hurting little kid, give them space in your heart to be okay, and to be healed.

Guard your heart… by allowing it to live in it’s honest, true, childlike reality. Preserve your kind, gentle heart by giving it permission to be yourself. Acknowledge the pain it feels, the sadness, the hurt. When you’re triggered, your heart is telling you something. Listen to it. It’s trying to take you to the place of your pain… the place where you still don’t love yourself.