Title definition:

Inside - those are our emotions

Outside - it can be the triggers and reasons for those emotions to be shown.

Examples:

• Happy events trigger happiness.

• Loss triggers sadness.

• Stress triggers fear and anxiety.

• Conflict triggers anger.

  
  

Impact of Unchecked Emotions

These emotions are all valid, even the negative ones. But, if we are not careful and mindful about how we handle our negative emotions, pwedeng mag-result into bad behavior / actions.

Quotes: Your emotion is valid, but your bad behavior is not.

Points of Discussion:

As Christians, we should learn from this illustration: Toothpaste

Pag piniga natin yung toothpaste, regardless if we squeeze it gently or really really hard. Ano ang lalabas? Toothpaste parin.

What does it mean: The pressure from outside doesn’t change what’s inside!

Let’s read: Luke 6:45

Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts, but bad people do bad things because of the evil in their hearts. Your words show what is in your heart.

Reflecting on Emotional Triggers:

Think about a recent event that triggered a strong negative emotion in you (sadness, fear, anger, etc.)

How did you respond initially to the situation?

As followers of Jesus, kapag ba piniga tayo - like ng stress, problems in life, conflict or any triggers: Ano ang lalabas satin, or makikita sa behavior or words natin? Is it bad or good?

• If we are filled with God and goodness, we know what will spill out of us.

Let's read Luke 6:45 from another perspective naman.

Pansinin natin yung mga taong masusungit or magagalitin,, malungkutin, mareklamo, tampurista – pwede natin sabihin:

“Sad people do sad things because of the sadness in their hearts”

“Angry people do hateful things because of hateful things in their hearts”

• If we find ourselves in this position -

How can we regulate our emotions to produce good conduct? or

How can we spiritually and emotionally prepare ourselves to respond to recurring triggers of negative emotions, like stress and conflict, with Christ-like love and character?

My suggestions are:

1. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Heart is deceitful, the bible says.” - Proverbs 4:23

• We should always be mindful/aware of what we let and keep inside our hearts. Because we act and react according to what we keep inside.

2. You only not need to filter what comes inside you heart but ALSO filter the people who you are with. Importante yun! “Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you how you are.”

• 1 Cor 25:33 - Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character”

• Magandang nagbabago tayo bilang Christians but I hope for the better not for the worst.

  
  

3. Do we intentionally fill our cups with love, grace and forgiveness of Jesus? Do we ask the Holy Spirit to refill us with good things? If we walk by the Spirit, good things will spill out of as well even when we are under pressure.

   
   

• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. - Gal 5:22 -23

  
  

3. Pray for healing from Jesus

• They say “hurt people, hurt people.”

• Accept the truth that we are all weak and wounded, and the truth (Jesus’ love and forgiveness) shall set us free. So we can be forgiven and we can also forgive others.

• Maybe it's not always change that we need in the first place, but healing.

Are there areas in your life where healing is needed on the inside before change can happen on the outside?

How can you invite God to heal those wounds inside and transform the way you respond to outside circumstances?

My Personal Testimony:

For me, my biggest pain point (trigger) is receiving critical feedback. If we’re being honest, it’s something that’s hard for anyone to accept, no matter how open-minded they may be. For me, it's especially difficult because I don’t handle critical feedback well. It stirs something deep within me that I’d rather keep hidden.

Still, I’ve come to realize that God will lead us to moments of testing which are opportunities for us to grow into the person God wants us to be.

I had a work experience that taught me this lesson. A client gave me critical feedback, and while on the surface I responded professionally—"Thank you for your feedback; I’ll improve on this next time"—deep inside, it wasn’t true. Alone, I found myself venting, making excuses, and complaining about it all. I felt ashamed and frustrated with myself. I cried out to God, asking, *“Bakit ako ganito? Ano ang kailangan mong baguhin sa puso ko?”

That’s when God revealed to me that the root of my struggle was *pride*. It was my high expectations for myself, the overwhelming pressure I placed on my shoulders, and my relentless need for validation and recognition. On top of that, I harbored bitterness—resentment towards others who seemed to excel effortlessly in their careers.

I’m reminded of what Maricar Reyes once said in a video:

"Kung gano daw ka-bitter ang puso natin, ganun din kalaki ang reaksyon natin sa mga bagay-bagay." - TRUE!

But by His grace, God began to humble and heal me. Slowly, I’ve been learning to let go of pride and comparison and instead trust the process. Now, I can look back on that feedback, truly accept my mistakes, and recognize the areas I need to improve and work on. I also share this experience openly, knowing it’s part of the healing and transformation God is working in me.