Is Your Hut Burning?
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 just may be a smoke signal that summons 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
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 can’t manage”
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
You say: “I don’t have enough faith”
God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith
You say: “I’m not smart enough”
God says: I give you wisdom
You say: “I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

Match the words wıth their synonyms.

Scavenge sadness, deep sorrow
Uninhabited property, ownership
Feverishly finally, at last, in the end
Rescue shocked, astonished, stupefied
Forthcoming succeed in, be able to, can
Exhausted excitedly, in an agitated manner
Eventually search through garbage for food
Manage to save from harm, free from risk
Possession approaching, coming
Stunned tired, weak
Grief not inhabited, unoccupied, deserted
Weary become discouraged, despair
Discourage convene, assemble, call forth, gather
Lose heart enough, adequate
In the midst leave, desert, abandon, give up
Summon disappointed, aggravated
Sufficient work out, understand, calculate
Figure out fatigued, tired
Supply provide, furnish, equip
Frustrated in the middle, among
Forsake deter, dissuade

Comprehension check questions.

1) How many people inhabited the island?
2) Do you think the man was happy on the island? Why, why not?
3) Why did the man decide to build a little hut?
4) After losing his hut, how did he feel? What did he do? Why?
5) How did the rescuers find him?
6) 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 grace of God.
Have you ever experienced something similar to this? Tell us about your experience.