Trigger points revisited

I wrote this blog two years ago. When God brings things back for review, it is good. So I share it again…

I first learned about trigger points a couple of years ago when a terrible neck and shoulder condition led me to a chiropractor. A trigger point is basically a knot within the muscle tissue that causes pain to the body. Trigger points can be obvious and cause debilitating pain or they can go unnoticed until pressed. Unless the trigger points are alleviated, the muscles will continue to be affected. After several months with the chiropractor, the trigger points were released and the muscles recovered. It was a painful time, as I had let a nagging condition develop into one that ended up needing quite a bit of healing.

I was first introduced to the idea of spiritual healing some time ago, while attending a retreat. I was listening to a talk and was somewhat distracted. My thoughts were wandering when the speaker caught my attention. She said, “have you ever reacted to a situation, in such a way, that your reaction was unwarranted?” That struck a chord. I do that, I thought to myself. I react to situations and things people say that really are, off the charts sometimes. I don’t mean to do it, so why do I? And that began a journey of inner healing.

We live in a fallen world, unfortunately, so our condition is impacted by the brokenness of our surroundings. As a result, we cannot escape being hurt and wounded. No matter how idyllic our upbringing, no matter how great our family and life circumstances, we still don’t get through life unscathed. As a result, our heart gets hurt along the way and a wounded heart doesn’t always respond with love. Often times a wounded heart responds with sin.

When we are faced with a situation or conversation that produces an unreasonable reaction in us, we have just been triggered. We are triggered because someone has “pushed our button” and touched on a wound that is in need of healing. When trigger points are activated, some of which we may not even know exist, we need to see this as a blessing. It is a revelation of our need for introspection. It is a time to come to the Lord for counsel. “He reveals deep and hidden things…” (Daniel 2:22).

God’s grace is sufficient. His healing is abundant.

I used to find myself in situations where I believed, incorrectly or not, that my worth and validity was being questioned, and I was triggered. What began as an innocent conversation, suddenly turned into unwarranted reactions, explosive behavior, or silent feelings of rejection. My heart carried the wound of needing to find myself worthy in the eyes of others, and consequently, I sought affirmation from those around me. I sought being “right” so that my worth could be fed. You see the pattern, and it did nothing more than feed my pride.

Noticing that we are triggered – Self observation is key. Not a fun exercise. But digging for an understanding to the root of our behavior is time well spent. Reflection, prayer and seeking God’s counsel to uncover such behavior can be painful, arduous and quite frankly, easier to ignore. It takes humility to accept that we are triggered, that we are wounded, that we sin, and most importantly, that we need healing.

Recently, I spent several days praying, reflecting and seeking the Lord’s healing and forgiveness for a recent “trigger point” episode in my life. I asked the Lord to bring me healing for this wound, which He clearly identified – the need to be affirmed by others. He gently spoke to my heart and said to me, “I am your biggest cheerleader and I am cheering for you.” His healing and grace really are sufficient! Now I must learn how to abide in His grace and know that He stands on the sidelines cheering and that is enough. And if there are cheers from others, those cheers can be directed as praises to Him.

Our biggest obstacle to healing is our belief that we don’t need it. We all need it. Just like the chiropractor who presses on those trigger points until they release, so must we allow the Great Physician to bring to the surface what hides behind our triggered response.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3