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Let’s talk about something we don’t always have the language for—that moment when your body reacts before your brain can catch up.
Your heart races. Your chest tightens. Your stomach sinks. Your mind starts spinning.
And you wonder: What just happened?
Was it fear? Was I triggered? Was it both?
I’ve been there, friend. So many times.
And for a long time, I couldn’t tell the difference. I thought any intense emotional response meant I was afraid. Or worse, that something was wrong with me.
But I’ve learned that fear and triggers aren’t the same thing. And knowing the difference? It’s powerful. It can help you pause instead of panic, respond instead of react, and offer compassion to yourself instead of criticism.
So let’s break it down, gently and clearly. Like two friends over coffee, unpacking something tender and real.
Fear is our brain and body’s way of keeping us safe. It shows up when we sense danger—whether that danger is physical, emotional, or even spiritual.
Fear is future-focused. It’s all about what might happen.
It whispers:
Fear wants to protect us from potential pain, embarrassment, loss, or rejection. And honestly? That’s not always a bad thing.
Fear can be helpful. It keeps us from walking into traffic or jumping into things that aren’t good for us.
But fear can also overstep. It can start running the show in moments where we’re not actually in danger—just uncomfortable.
And when that happens, it limits us. It tells us to shrink instead of stretch. To hide instead of heal.
So if you’re feeling fear about something coming up—a conversation, a step of faith, a new opportunity—pause and ask:
Is this fear trying to protect me, or prevent me?
That one question can shift everything.
A trigger is a response to something that reminds your brain of past pain.
It’s not about what might happen. It’s about what already did happen.
Triggers are rooted in memory—especially painful or traumatic memories that your nervous system hasn’t fully processed yet.
And here’s the hard part:
Your brain doesn’t always know the difference between then and now.
So when something in the present feels like something from the past, your body reacts like it’s happening all over again.
Triggers can be:
It might not even make logical sense. You just suddenly feel:
That’s your nervous system saying: “We remember this. It wasn’t safe last time.”
Triggers aren’t a sign of weakness. They’re a sign of unresolved pain. And they need compassion, not judgment.
Here’s where it gets fascinating—and freeing.
Your brain has a built-in alarm system called the amygdala. It’s the part responsible for detecting threats and triggering the fight, flight, or freeze response.
When your brain perceives danger (real or remembered), the amygdala goes into action before your logical brain can even process what’s going on.
That’s why you can feel panicked without knowing why. It’s not a flaw. It’s your biology.
Your hippocampus also plays a role. It stores memories—not just facts, but emotional and sensory experiences too.
So when you’re triggered, the hippocampus sends a signal to the amygdala: “This reminds me of something painful.”
The result?
But here’s the good news:
Neuroplasticity means your brain can be retrained.
You can learn to recognize triggers, soothe your nervous system, and rewrite the story your body is telling.
It takes time. But it’s possible.
And every time you pause, breathe, and stay with yourself in love, you’re creating a new pattern.
So let’s put it side by side.
| Fear | Trigger |
|---|---|
| Future-focused | Past-focused |
| About what might happen | About what already happened |
| Feels like anxiety or dread | Feels like panic or shutdown |
| Rooted in the unknown | Rooted in unresolved pain |
| Can be eased by logic or prayer | Needs nervous system regulation and safety |
You might experience both at once. That’s okay.
You might feel fear about something that reminds you of a trigger. Or a trigger might activate fear about the future.
What matters most is knowing:
This isn’t about weakness. It’s about awareness.
When you know what you’re feeling, you can care for it. And that’s where healing begins.
So what can you do when you feel that sudden rush of emotion and you’re not sure if it’s fear or a trigger?
Here’s a gentle process to guide you:
You’re not alone. You’re not crazy. You’re not too much.
You’re healing.
God knows our bodies hold fear and trauma. And He meets us there.
When Elijah fled in panic, God didn’t say, “Get over it.” He sent an angel with food, rest, and comfort. (1 Kings 19)
When Jesus found Peter after his biggest failure, He didn’t scold him. He cooked him breakfast and restored him with love. (John 21)
When the psalmist cried, “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” (Psalm 42), God didn’t silence it. He preserved it as Scripture—a model for us to be honest and hopeful at the same time.
Your emotional responses don’t scare God. He isn’t asking you to shut them down. He’s inviting you to bring them to Him.
Because fear doesn’t get the final say. Triggers don’t write the ending.
Love does.
If you’ve been feeling emotionally overwhelmed and you’re not sure why—if you’ve wondered whether it’s fear or a trigger or both—you don’t have to sort it out alone.
💜 Join The Purple Room, where you’ll be met with kindness, community, and a gentle space to grow. You’ll find people who get it—and who are walking the same journey of emotional healing.
Or if you need quiet space to process on your own, you can get free access to a guided rhythm that helps you reconnect with yourself, understand your emotions, and build safety from the inside out.
Whatever you choose, just know this:
You’re not too broken. You’re just beginning to understand yourself. And that, my friend, is where wholeness starts.
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