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How “Unshaken” Works

The intention of Unshaken is not to read from start to finish. Instead, take each truth and meditate on it, prayer about it, and put it into action in your life and family.

Each pillar has three truths associated with it, breaking down what can feel like a daunting process into easy to handle pieces. Pillar One, for example, is called “Renewing Your Mind with God’s Truth” and is broken down into three truthes, “Why God’s Truth Must Come Before Parenting Techniques,” “Seeing Yourself the Way God Sees You,” and “Speaking God’s Promises Over Your Parenting.”

Each truth also has a Faith Step, something practical that you can do, right now!

Excerpt from Unshaken

Truth 1: Identifying Your Child’s Biggest Triggers

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” Proverbs 22:3

Children with autism often process the world differently, which means they can feel stressed by things others overlook like loud noises, sudden transitions, certain textures, bright lights, or crowded spaces. What may seem small to someone else can feel overwhelming to your child.

God calls us to be prudent and pay attention, to see patterns, and to prepare. This doesn’t mean we remove every challenge from their life; it means we use wisdom to recognize potential stress points and approach them with a plan. Just as Nehemiah assessed the walls of Jerusalem before rebuilding them, you can assess the “walls” in your child’s emotional world and see where extra support is needed.

Identifying triggers is not about living in fear or avoiding growth. It’s about gaining insight so you can help your child feel safe while they learn to manage their reactions. Proverbs 27:12 reminds us that the wise see trouble coming and take steps to avoid unnecessary harm. That’s the heart of this truth; preventing as many meltdowns or anxiety spikes as possible by being proactive instead of reactive.

When you recognize patterns in your child’s reactions, maybe they struggle right after school, during transitions between activities, or when asked to try a new food, you can prepare your own heart in advance. You can pray for patience, set up a calming strategy, or adjust the environment to make it easier for them.

Over time, this not only reduces stress but also builds trust, because your child feels understood and supported.

Faith Step

Spend some time thinking and praying about situations that have previously increased your child’s stress, then pray over these triggers, asking God for insight into how to handle them in the future. Here’s some potential triggers to help you get started.

Environmental Triggers

• Loud, sudden noises (sirens, vacuum, blender, loudspeaker)
• Bright or flickering lights
• Crowded spaces (shopping centres, classrooms, events)
• Strong smells (cleaning products, perfumes, certain foods)

Routine & Transition Triggers

• Unexpected changes to plans or schedule
• Transitioning from one activity to another
• Waiting for long periods
• Rushing through routines (morning prep, bedtime)

Social & Interaction Triggers

• Meeting new people or unfamiliar visitors
• Group settings or noisy social gatherings
• Physical touch without warning
• Being the centre of attention unexpectedly

Sensory & Physical Triggers

• Certain clothing textures or tags
• Uncomfortable seating or surfaces
• Certain food textures or tastes
• Overstimulating visuals (too many colors, patterns)

Emotional & Internal State Triggers

• Feeling misunderstood or ignored
• Fatigue or being overtired
• Anxiety about an upcoming event
• Overload from too many instructions at once

Lord, give me eyes to see what affects my child’s heart and mind. Help me prepare with wisdom and respond with patience when challenges arise. Amen.