TRIGGER HAPPY!

We have been enjoying a fantastic series in church (No People No Problem) which has been addressing how we can be an influence,  bring people to Jesus, and what we can or are doing for maintaining healthy boundaries.

Personally, I wish the series stayed to its name (No People No Problem), because this is a sure guarantee that I can live without any problem, its what I so desire!

There are those certain days, I am home and just wish I did not have to deal with anyone or, I get into my car and just wish I was alone or I walk into my office and wish that its only me working!! Oh, how I do wish for those days!

Our message on Sunday was ‘I Am Triggered‘ – a general meaning of how I am offended, wounded. Wounds not healed is the trouble we go through,  painful memories suddenly pop up, we are offended silly!

We are called to watch out for those who cause divisions and offend us contrary to the teachings we have learned. Romans 16:17 (KJV)

Keeping company with such individuals subjects us to anger, hatred, conflict and we are robbed of our joy. Ho

There is also another side, where I know I am in His will and yet others will do something evil against me, and because I know I am in His will and that God meant it for good, to bring something good out of it. Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

And when this happens, people will hate me for His name’s sake.  And I may be offended, people will betray one another, and will hate one another. When we stand up for Jesus, we will surely be offended. Matthew 24:9-11 (NKJV)

Offense cripples us and the best news is it also reveals areas to grow, it refines us! As Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 (ESV)

There are real legitimate offenses and others that are not intentional. The reality is the legitimate offenders will unlikely ask forgiveness, say sorry and the danger is that because I cannot control it, I begin to be angry with my God. Many of us experience this and the call for us is that when we forgive other people when they sin against us, our heavenly Father will also forgive us. Yet, the danger to this is that if we do not forgive others their sins, our Father will not forgive our sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

The biggest thing offense can do is that God cannot forgive us.

And as always, a good message requires action, I must listen and act! I was so trigger happy this week, I think about it and picture myself hitting my head against a concrete pillar for how I easy get provoked!

Obviously it starts right in the home, my wife asked me a question which sounded negative and before I knew it, I was at her, attacking her questing skills, her negative attitude, all her past questions, oh boy, we did not talk for a day! Such a waste of time and energy from me with no positive outcome.

Then the bank called me with great news that I was to be issued a credit card, I was happy as I have been trying to get one for almost 5 years (I am not living in my home country and there are specific requirements!!). We talked, verifications were done, a question was asked of how many other cards I had to which I said none and finally the bank said “Sir, I am sorry we cannot issue you a card” to which I pressed the trigger “hello brother, you are wasting my time, do not offer me something and then say you cannot” and without waiting for his reply, dashed the phone down!

Oh how I wish there are no people around me, I’d be with no problems indeed! And for Adam since creation, there was not found a helper [that was] suitable (a companion) for him,
Genesis 2:20 AMP and God gave him Eve! God says we need companions, helpers, people around us and what He is therefore teaching us is how to live in love with everyone around us! And…..it sure is Hard To Love!