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。
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.
他每天迫切地陡?求神拯救他。他天天望著海的那一邊。除了汪洋一片,什麼也看不著
He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
後來,他決定用那片帶他到小島的木頭,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。
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
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。
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.
最慘的是──他所有的一切,在這瞬間都化為烏有了。他悲憤的向天哭喊:「神啊!你竟然這樣對待我!」
The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
然而,第二天的清晨,他被鳴笛聲所驚醒──那是由一艘正在靠近小島的船所發出的,有人來救他了。
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.
當他獲救後,他問道:「你們怎麼知道我在這裡?」
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.
「因為我們看到了有如信號般的濃煙。」他們如此回答。
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
人在遇到困難時很容易感到沮喪。但,即使我們遭遇苦難,卻不必因此失去信心。因為神一直在我們心中做著奇妙的工作
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.
千萬記著:當下次你的小木屋著火時,那可能只是神奇妙恩典的表象而已。
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
在所有我們認為是不好的事上,神總是有積極的答案。
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer.
你說:「那是不可能的。」
神卻說:「在人所不能的事,在神卻能。」(路加福音18:27)
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
你說:「我太疲倦了。」
神說:「我使你得著安息。」(馬太福音11:28-30)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
你說:「沒有人願意愛我。」
神說:「我愛你。」(約翰福音3:16)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you(John 3:16)
你說:「我做不下去了。」
神說:「我的恩典足夠支持你撐下去。」(哥林多後書12:9)
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient(II Corinthians 12:9)
你說:「我想不通。」
神說:「我指引你。」(箴言3:5-6)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
你說:「我做不到。」
神說:「靠著我,你什麼都做得到。」(腓4:13)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
你說:「這麼做不值得。」
神說:「一切你認為不值得的事,都會對你有益處。」(羅馬書8:28)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)
你說:「我無法寬恕自己。」
神說:「我赦免你。」(約翰一書1:9&羅馬書8:1)
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
你說:「我是窮苦的。」
神說:「我供應你一切的需要。」(腓立比書4:19)
You say: "I'm poor"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
你說:「我害怕。」
神說:「我並沒有賜給你膽怯的心。」(提摩太後書1:7)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
你說:「我經常擔憂。」
神說:「把一切的憂慮都交給我。」(彼得前書5:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
你說:「我信心不足。」
神說:「我保守你的信心」(路加福音22:32)
You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.(Luke 22:32)
你說:「我不夠聰明。」
神說:「我給你智慧。」(雅各書1:5)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (James 1:5)
你說:「我是孤單的。」
神說:「我永遠不丟棄你。」(希伯來書13:5)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)