Trauma comes with triggers. It could be specific sights, sounds, smells, words, or situations that suddenly bring back intense memories or feelings connected to a past traumatic experience. These triggers can cause emotional, psychological, or even physical reactions, often without warning, because they tap into unprocessed pain or fear. In short, a trigger is anything that sets off a reminder of trauma, making the past feel present. What makes it difficult is that triggers are often connected to real events that actually happened.

I recently faced a situation that I needed to process. The best way to do that is by talking it through with those you’re accountable to. One thing they pointed out was how important it is, when a trigger happens, to take time to observe it and discuss it with people you trust before reacting. The reason is that if you don’t take time to process your emotions and thoughts, it can lead to greater harm, not just to yourself, but also to those around you.

When a trigger occurs, it brings back a reminder of past trauma, making it feel as if the past is happening all over again. For pastors, this can be especially challenging because we don’t get time off from the people who might unintentionally set off those triggers, whether it’s leaders, congregants, or even our own family. The constant flow of interactions and the weight of people’s issues can become overwhelming, especially when trying to navigate our own healing in the midst of it.

The challenge comes when current, complicated situations trigger past trauma. In these moments, it’s crucial to remain composed and aware of those triggers, because reacting poorly can lead to deeper, systemic issues within the local church. Sometimes a person may raise a legitimate concern, but the way they handle it can make things very complicated. 

For example, if a congregant with control issues begins to manipulate, it’s possible to address the situation biblically. However, the real challenge often lies in what the pastor is processing internally. Feelings of anger, the instinct to protect those under their care, the weight of what’s being said to and about them, and the fear of division or even a church split, all of this can be overwhelming. Trying to process those emotions while also responding in a biblical and faithful way is incredibly difficult.

Trusting God in these kinds of situations can also be difficult. One thing my mentor said that stuck with me was, “God knows how to take care of His Davids.” It reminded me of David’s situation when Saul was chasing him, trying to take his life, yet God protected and preserved him through it all. I wish I could simply trust the Lord in those moments, but it’s not that easy. In times like that, things become very complicated because all I can feel and think about is what just happened, and everything similar that has happened before.

As a pastor, I’ve experienced betrayal, been hurt by others, and have been spoken of negatively. That comes with the territory. Jesus went through the same, so I’m not exempt, I’m not greater than my Master. He experienced inner turmoil and felt what we feel in those painful moments. Yet, He remained without sin and gave us the perfect example of how to respond. 

Jesus never lost sight of the Father’s will or His purpose. Trauma and triggers, however, can easily sidetrack us. They can cause us to lose sight of God’s sovereignty and fill our hearts and minds with real pain that, while valid, must be surrendered to God in trust. If we don’t, we risk losing our peace. Sadly, we often forget that God is still in control, but it’s that very truth that can anchor us. It has the power to steady us in the midst of emotional and mental chaos, helping us stay grounded as we work through what we’re feeling and thinking.

We should never ignore what we feel or think. The key is to process those emotions and thoughts under the sovereign rule of God. When we hold to that truth, we’re able to withstand the storms that flood our hearts and minds. David trusted the Lord while hiding in the desert, pursued by Saul. Moses trusted God even while being criticized by the very people he was called to deliver. Jesus stayed faithful to His mission, even with Judas among His closest followers. I just hope I can do the same when I face the real concerns, emotions, and thoughts that weigh heavily on the soul.