Peace Through Framing our Thought Life

^{Isaiah 26:3} You will keep him in perfect peace (shalom, shalom),

Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

The idea and experience of peace eludes us at times as we live life in this fallen world. It is in these times that we can become dissatisfied. Our thoughts can become fragmented and unfocused. This portion of scripture calls us back to our right mind (right thinking) and rightful positions as children of another kingdom that is not of this world.

The word for mind in this passage is the Hebrew Word "yatzar" meaning to frame or form in the mind and speaks of purpose and intention. It includes the idea of meditative thought. It is also actually the first word in the sentence when reading this verse in Hebrew signifying that perfect peace begins with framing our thoughts and being purposeful and intentional about it

^{Hebrews 11:3} By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 

The above verse reveals how are inner world is to be framed by the Word of God. The Father has shown us by example how this works in the way He created all things.

^{John 5:19} Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

Yeshua also compares the solidity of a life of those whose thoughts are framed and built upon His Words.

^{Matthew 7:24} “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 

thoughts are the materials that are used to shape and form our lives. What our thoughts are conformed to will have a determined out come.

^{Romans 12:2} And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The second word in the sentence "samech" means to support. A frame must be supported and held up by something. In this case the reference is to God.

^{Luke 6:48} He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

When the framework of our thoughts are sustained and supported in God we are assured He will keep ('titzor" ) watch over, tend to, guard and make sure of our peace.

The literal translation for perfect "peace" is shalom shalom. When a term is repeated in Hebrew, it is done so for emphasis. It signifies abundance, greatness, completeness, totality, infinitive absoluteness, and complete satisfaction.

The Hebrew word Shalom actually means completeness and wholeness on all levels. It is an all inclusive state of well being including health, relationships, finance and carries the idea of being safe and secure.

I like the word picture for Shalom.

The first Hebrew letter in the word shalom is a sheen and it is a picture of teeth which comes with the idea of chewing, devouring and or destroying.

^{I John 3:8} ...the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

The second letter is a lamed and it is a picture of a shepherds staff and carries with it the idea of authority. In reference to our above verse we might say that it also can be like a shepherd corals his sheep so we ought to coral our thoughts being deliberate and taking authority over them.

^{2 Corinthians 10:5}Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The next letter is a vav is a picture of a nail and attaches things can also indicate cause and effect.

^John10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The last letter is a mem and is a picture of waves of water and can indicate chaos and because it is at the end of the word it is a closed mem meaning hidden water or hidden chaos.

^{Ephesians 6:12} For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

putting the three concepts together we can see that a state of well being has do with destroying the authority that is the underlying cause of chaos in ones world. It also implies that Shalom is already there. It is the chaos that prevents us from experiencing it. It is like the sun that is always shining but storms may come and prevent us from seeing it

^{Mark 7:37} And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!

^{Luke 4:32} And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. ³³ Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴ saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” ³⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. ³⁶ Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” 

The last thing mentioned in this verse is because we trust "betach" in Him we are enabled to experience this "Shalom"! In a previous post "Hebrew Word "Trust" it was concluded the definition for trust according to the word pictures is "to abide and rest inside the goodness of God, protected, embraced, and surrounded by His compassion and favor." Our thoughts must be built upon this concept of trusting in His goodness and revealed word in order to experience His extreme peace (shalom, shalom).

It really is clear that the battlefield is in the mind and that our thought life is the framework of our experience. Our battle is to destroy the authority causing us chaos by taking authority over our thoughts and actions and purposing them to God's thoughts and desires so that we might experience the wholeness and security of a life lived well.

^{Philippians 4:6} Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

When the framework of our thoughts and meditations, and imaginations, are leaning upon, resting upon and and being supported by Him. He will keep us in perfect, perpetual, most assured wholeness, soundness, security and tranquility.

* All scripture references are taken from the King James or New King James versions of the Bible. all bold and parenthesis mine.