Ruffled Feathers

Ruffled Feathers

Ruffled Feathers--white bird with ruffled feathers

Notice this bird’s ruffled feathers. The bird may feel mad or scared. It may want to appear stronger if it fears attack. Or a blowing wind may have caused the feathers to stick out. It makes me think of people on bad-hair days.

If we have ruffled feathers, we feel angry or frightened.

Circumstances or people make us:

  • Annoyed
  • Upset
  • Aggravated
  • Afraid

We don’t like what they did or how they did it. They get our goat by irritating us with their words or behavior. Or they scare us.

Riled up has a similar meaning.

Occasionally we combine the two by saying, “Don’t get your feathers all riled up.” Such reactions may occur about:

  • Wars
  • Insults
  • Politics
  • Injustice
  • Negative reactions to anything or anyone we love

Rather than rile or ruffle feathers, let’s try to calm or smooth them.

Bad hair days cause no real harm. Ruffled feathers can.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9 NIV).

Thanks to Beverly Ennis for the suggestion and the photo.

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12 thoughts on “Ruffled Feathers

  1. I think we’ve all had ruffled feathers at some point. But as you point out, our task should be to smooth the anger and frustration rather than escalate it. We can’t choose what happens to us, but we can control how we react.

  2. It seems this world lives to “ruffle my feathers” a couple of times each day Ms. Diana. Have learned that it’s how I react to it that matters most. I can see or hear things that get me “torqued up” more often than I would like, but it’s in asking God’s help to let me deal with it internally rather than exploding outwardly that helps my testimony reflect God’s presence in my life. Great phrase to focus upon my friend.

    1. It’s so easy to let our ruffled feathers take control, isn’t it, J.D. Only by letting God work through us can we reflect God’s presence. I need to remember this truth often.

  3. I love this, Diana. Thanks for the example and great reminder! It’s better to lay all burdens and trials that ruffle our feathers over to God. He’s the Judge. His Holy Spirit; our Comforter and Counselor. His Son Jesus … The Way. Amen.

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