by Carolyn Gudenau

Created on: November 14, 2009

Nature can be peaceful one moment and then become quickly violent the next. The lake is calm on a warm sunny afternoon and then suddenly there is a chill in the air, the sky grows dark and the wind kicks up. A storm is coming. All boats are now headed in one direction - shore.

If we are caught in the midst of the storms of life, we can become fearful or trusting, panicked or calm. Our beliefs can influence our actions, good or bad. Some people, afraid of getting hurt, are also afraid to live. The risk is too great for them. Others, through lots of experience, learn to stay the course and trust in their God-given abilities to survive and thrive.

Each day, we are faced with the beauty and hazards of nature. There are positive and negative factors in almost everything. Sometimes, though, it's our view that makes it so.

SUN

While the sun brings life to all of nature, the same is true for all of us. Lack of sunshine is deceiving, though. Just as God is always there for us, whether or not we acknowledge Him, the sun is always there even when it is behind the clouds.

WATER

Have you ever wondered how some things float when it seems like everything should sink? Swimming lessons teach you how to float and how to tread water. Both activities require trust that you will not drown. Without this trust, your body may thrash around, arms flailing and actually prevent you from peace. When there is trust, your body, after starting to sink, is gently brought back to the surface to rest. Anytime, we operate from a sense of fear, we will have anxiety. Where there is trust, there will be an absence of anxiety.

MOUNTAINS

Mountains, from a distance, are awe inspiring. When you get closer, they can seem intimidating. Even though, at first, it seems you would never be able to climb to the top, one step at a time could take you there. Whether you reach the summit or not, reaching each level brings you new confidence and a higher view. If you are successful, making it to the top, though, you will enjoy the experience of a lifetime. In a similar way, each of the challenges we may face can seem insurmountable. Actually, if we break them down into manageable pieces, and focus on managing just one piece at a time, we will experience new confidence with each step, whether or not we can meet the entire challenge.

ANIMALS

Animals of the air, land and sea teach us valuable life lessons also. Our observations will note, mainly, that they survive by instinct; they do not get distracted like we

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