Is Your Hut Burning?

My roar has been quite raspy lately.  I have had a setback that I was not expecting.  But who ever really expects a setback, you know.  I have stomped around here lately saying that I was quitting everything.  That somewhere I got in the wrong line and ended up in someone else's life and assignment in life.  Then today, I ran across this story of encouragement.  I hope it lifts you as it did me today.

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhibited
island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned
the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually
managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the
elements, and to store his few possessions.  But then one day, after
scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the
smoke rolling up to the sky.  The worst had happened; everything was lost.
He was stunned with grief and anger.  "God, how could you do this to me!" he
cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was
approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was
here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they
replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't
lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain
and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the
ground----it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.  For
all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive
answer for it:

You say: "It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their Strength. (Isaiah 40:31)
You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John
13:34)
You say: "I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians
12:9 & Psalms 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9&
Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II
Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares
on ME (1Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith" God says: I've given everyone a measure
of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians
1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews13:5)

Many Blessings and Much Love!
Pastor V