5:16 Club -- Day 4, Engulfed in Peace

Since early yesterday morning, Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 4:6-7, have been ringing through my ears. I think is it God's answer to my disbelief, "Lord, I cannot believe the peace." See, usually by Sunday morning, I begin to brew a furry of anxiety. Sometimes it is with anxious thoughts of the week ahead. Other times it is about things going on a church or leadership issues nearing my heart. Occasionally, it is simply because I am tired from staying up too late on Saturday night, and irritation with myself for running behind in the morning.

Yesterday had none of that. There was no anxiousness. There was only a moment of irritation after hearing something I shouldn't have at the end of church. But the contrast of anxiety against the peace that has surrounded me for days was so completely obvious that I gave it right to the Lord. It was like, "No thank you. I will not brew over this. Have it God!"

Why this new peace? I am certain it is because of this 5:16 am discipline, which gives time for prayer, petition, thanksgiving, bringing my requests to the Lord, acknowledging Him in all thy ways. The alarm goes off. I hardly hear it. Eventually my sleepy body awakes and I make my way to the coffee pot and beckoning chair. This morning's thought was something like the infamous Visa commercial, "An extra hour in bed: $0. An extra hour with the Lord: Priceless." You can't buy peace. You have to receive it.

I pray that you would seek the Peace-giver today and be surrounded, engulfed, enamored with Him and all that He has to offer you.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Because of Him,