Nougat 27

What is it that triggers us? Should it be managed? We see the negative effect of a trigger in today’s Holy Nougat

“… This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬b, ‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Premeditated murder! Of his own brother! Things must have gone south so badly that it seemed acceptable to follow through on the thought. It wasn’t listed as self defense. Cain was the initiator. And, from Abel’s response (he is not given a voice but he seems to have followed Cain), we presume that he was unaware of his own ‘transgressions’.

My dear siblings in Christ, there isn’t any doubt – unmanaged anger can lead to all kinds of disasters. It may not lead to physical death but there different ways to deny another person life. And when our triggers are neither recognized and diffused, we are walking time bombs, just like Cain.

In my field of work as a pastor, I see and hear of the impact far too often. What is even more nuanced is, the impact is not always directed at the source of the trigger; is rarely logically connected to the anger/trigger, and most frequently is directed at someone perceived to be a suitable target.

Hence something as ‘simple’ as a favorite team not qualifying for the World Cup may trigger a sense of disappointment. Many of us, gamblers or not, recognize the disappointment and are okay. Others however, internalize that to the extent that it becomes unsafe for those around us. (See Cain if you will) Or, it might be a legitimate challenge like abhorring lies (several children can speak to that). While lying is wrong, does it require extreme responses that establish or perpetuate cycles of violence?

The irony of the pericope in which the nougat is nestled, is that it follows God’s promise of a son to Adam and Eve. (This is one interpretation of Genesis 3:15 and 4:1 by some theologians. For them, the enmity between the serpent and the man child is seen as literal and prophetic). The promised Son was to be born centuries later, but the first family might have thought Cain was the answer. His actions are a clear NO to that Hope expressed by his parents.

This all seems hope-less, until we add God’s grace to the equation. For, by God’s Spirit we can manage our response to the things that trigger us negatively. In Christ we are a new creation – there is already scope for transformation, if we choose to accept it. The old is past, behold we are new! That’s the gift of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Additionally, we are reminded that the second Adam, ie Jesus the Christ, is that fulfillment of God’s first promise (Romans 5:12-21).

And that’s the Hope we cling to – that not only will all kinds of violence cease; but that in Christ we can find release from our own sins of the past. For me, it’s one of the best reasons to celebrate Advent – in His birth, there’s Hope for our lives!

Blessed Advent to us all

—

May all we seek be found in Christ