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The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited 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 may just 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.
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I forgive you
You say: "I'm poor"
God says: I will supply all your needs
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME |
在一場船難中，唯一的生存者隨著潮水，漂流到了一座無人島上，他天天激動地祈禱上帝讓他早日離開此處，回到家鄉。他每天注視著海上有否可搭救他的人，但除了汪洋一片，什麼也沒有。後來，他決定用那片帶他到小島的木頭，建造一個簡陋的小木屋，以保護他在這險惡的環境中生存，並且保存他所有剩下的東西。
但有一天，在他捕完食物後，準備回小屋時，突然發現他的小屋竟然陷在熊熊烈火之中，大火引起的濃煙不斷向天上竄，最悲慘的是，他所有的一切東西，在這一瞬間
通通化為烏有了，悲痛的他，氣憤的對天吶喊著「上帝啊！你怎麼可以這樣對待我！」
頓時，眼淚從他的眼角中流出。
第二天一早，他被一艘正靠近小島的船隻的鳴笛聲所吵醒。是的，有人來救他了！到了船上時，他問那些船員說，你怎麼知道我在這裡？」他們回答說，「因為我們看到了信號般的濃煙。」
人在碰到困難時，很容易會沮喪，不過，無論受到折磨或者痛苦，不用因此失去信心，因為，上帝一直在我們心裡面，做著奇妙的工作。
記著，當下一次你的小木屋著火時，那可能只是上帝美妙恩典的表徵而已，在所有我們所認為負面的事情上，上帝都是有正面答案的。
你說：「那是不可能的。」
上帝說：「在人所不能的事，在神卻能。」
你說：「我累了。」
上帝說：「我讓你休息。」
你說：「沒有人愛我。」
上帝說：「我愛你。」
你說：「我做不下去了。」
上帝說：「我的恩典夠你支持下去。」
你說：「我想不通。」
上帝說：「我引領你前行。」
你說：「我做不到。」
上帝說：「你什麼都做得到。」
你說：「我不配。」
上帝說：「你配。」
你說：「這麼做不值得。」
上帝說：「做了，你馬上就會覺得值得了。」
你說：「我無法原諒自己。」
上帝說：「我原諒你。」
你說：「我是窮苦的。」
上帝說：「我供應你一切所需。」
你說：「我害怕。」
上帝說：「我並沒有給你一個恐懼的靈。」
你說：「我常常在擔憂、受挫。」
上帝說：「放下你的重擔，我為你承擔。」 |