Friends can help us see things from a different perspective.
I meet with a close group of friends for weekly prayer.
![040523-lex-opn-diane-yeutter-mug](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=150%2C220 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=200%2C294 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=225%2C330 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=300%2C440 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=400%2C587 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=540%2C793 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=640%2C940 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=750%2C1101 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1453 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1519 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lexch.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/6f/06f1c1c0-d250-11ed-8969-6b2a9ef86c66/63603c511ab1a.image.jpg?resize=1188%2C1744 1200w)
Diane Yeutter
The time we spend together edifies the soul and deepens our faith in God.
A younger member asked how she could hear the voice of God.
Our mutual friend explained that God speaks to us through the Bible, prayers, other people and nature.
The next day I was reminded of her wise advice.
I was driving north in the early hours of the morning. As I turned east, I was struck by a heavenly sight.
Shimmering rays of sunlight penetrated the clouds like a transparent shield.
Outside of the sun’s rays, several storms brought heavy rains over large areas.
People also read…
I remembered my friend’s wise advice: “God speaks to us through nature.”
I asked God what he wanted to tell me. The answer was a familiar memory.
God goes before those who live by faith. He is the shield of faith that protects us from the storms that life can throw at us.
We all go through difficult times. There is no one who goes through life unscathed.
When God goes before us and storms threaten, only the hardships that He allows can penetrate the shield.
God knows what calamity is coming our way, and He equips us with His unwavering presence so that we can live on the right path, in truth, and in the right life as we navigate through the severe storm.
Those who walk in faith know that everything that happens to us will ultimately turn out for our good.
Nature teaches us lessons that can prepare us for future trials, assist us in present trials, and remind us of the lessons learned from past trials.
To learn from nature, we must live with our eyes open to hear the voice of our God in the living world.