Have you had your feathers ruffled lately?  I remember from my childhood the old adage - ruffled feathers which means - to be irritated.  If you have been a little ruffled lately, what did you do about it?  I have discovered from the Bible that there really is a way to live in peace.  This comes from verses like Isaiah 26:3.  "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You:  because he trusts in You."  What does it mean to keep your mind on God?  How can you do this with all of your work and activities?  The word, "mind" as given here means:

 

*  The seat of your feelings, affections, and emotions.

*  It also means your will, purpose, and determination.

*  Mind also means your "creative imagination."

This Hebrew word mind states that if you will allow your feelings, affections, and emotions to be tamed by the Lord, then you will have a peaceful heart.  You will find that your feathers do not become ruffled as easily as in past days.  You will also notice that irritations roll off - like water on a duck's back (also an old adage).

As we look further into this verse in Isaiah 26:3, we find that perfect peace in Hebrew is given as shalom, shalom.  This verse states that God's shalom will keep you in health, happiness, well being, and peace.  Again, let me say that the word mind as it is used here in the Hebrew is not the usual interpretation.  It means "creative imagination", the seat of plans and ideas that is totally founded on the Lord.

 

Those who keep their thoughts, plans, and ideas based on the purity and purposes of the Word of God will enjoy great peace.  You do not need to fill your mind with suspicion, fear, and guilt.  You can have a clean and clear mind if you guard what your eyes see and what your ears hear.  You can be as peaceful as you choose to be.  The Lord is able and willing to heal and erase the hurts, wounds, and trauma of the past as you yield your all to Him.  He is always saying, "Come to Me and I will give you rest" (peace).

 

As we study the Bible, which is God's word, then we will begin to notice there is a washing away of our old negative ways and thought patterns. "...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit."  He is the One who is able to bring transformation and restoration.  He is the One who can reshape our ruffled feathers!