Because the Family Matters

02/20/2026

02/20/2026

Yes this 💯 % me💕💕

02/20/2026

Oh my gosh did I need patience this week. Sometimes we break, cry and release it. All good now.

02/20/2026

🥰 I knew a girl like that and now she’s a Marriage and Family Therapist

02/20/2026

When you notice that your immediate reaction to a person or situation is overly emotional or irrational, it usually means that something has been building up or is hidden deep inside of you - such as anger, sadness, resentment, frustration, or a traumatic event.

This reaction is known as an emotional trigger. Our triggers tend to come from a few different sources.

Your reaction could be prompted by a condition that's occurring at that moment, such as: not feeling well, stress, exhaustion, feeling lonely, overwhelmed, even hungry.

Consider this: You come home from work, and you're tired, not feeling well and grumpy, and someone immediately starts talking to you about a potentially hot button topic. Chances are, the conversation won't end well because your coping resources aren't at full capacity, and you're more vulnerable to having that disagreement.

Other emotional triggers are connected to your feelings about a person or situation. These kinds of triggers are usually attached in some way to your personal history, insecurities, past traumatic events and more.

For example, you were bullied as a child, and now when someone is attempting to playfully joke with you, you might get extremely upset with them. This occurs because your current, upset reaction (which is exaggerated given the circumstances) is more closely related to your past traumatic event than your present-day interaction. Your brain somehow connected the joking of today with the teasing you endured in your early years.

Also, you may also be stuffing down your feelings to avoid a confrontation. Then one day you blow up over something small because of those overwhelming, negative emotions that have been building up over time. Eventually, your "emotional bucket" just overflowed... all over the place! Ugh...

Everyone is triggered by something, and that’s completely normal. As you can see, triggers can also come from a bunch of different places.

The next time you notice that you’re having a stronger than expected (and most likely, irrational) emotional reaction, label it as an emotional trigger. 💡 Then take a look at your present-day situation and see if you can understand where it may have come from.

For the most part, think about the following:

-Are there unusual conditions that currently exist (exhausted, famished, overwhelmed, etc.,)?

-Were you stuffing down your feelings and then you exploded?

-Was there a traumatic event in your past that's getting tripped up by something that’s happening today?

You are not crazy, you are not too emotional… you are having an emotional trigger. Be curious about your reaction, not judgmental.

It could be nothing related to the present person or current situation. It’s an emotional trigger that finally erupted. 🧨

02/20/2026

One of the most beautiful things you will ever experience in this life, is brushing your mamas hair. Don’t ever take those moments for granted. You never know when you won’t get the chance to brush their hair again, softly and tenderly, soft silver strands of an angel.

Mamas Brush

soft and silver strands
yet remain aloft
like worship
that glorify His plans
my mamas brush
soft and silver strands

by Ann Marie 💕

02/19/2026

Some burdens don’t look heavy from the outside.

They’re the silent worries, the racing thoughts at 2 a.m.

The “what ifs” that knot themselves tighter the more we try to fix them.

We grip them because we think letting go means losing control.

But Scripture reminds us: peace begins where surrender starts.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:7

God does not ask you to carry tomorrow. He asks you to trust Him with it.

When you release what you cannot control, you make room for the rest your soul has been craving.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” - Psalm 4:8

Sleep becomes an act of faith.

Rest becomes a declaration:

God is awake, so I don’t have to be.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28

Tonight, loosen your grip.

Hand Him the tangled mess...

every fear,
every unanswered question,
every weight you were never meant to hold.

And then… go to sleep.