You say...God says...

“In everything give thanks.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

For all the heartaches and the tears,
For gloomy days and fruitless years
I do give thanks, for now I know
These were the things that helped me grow!
— Crandlemire

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 in which 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

You say, “Nobody really loves me.”
God says, “I love you/” John 3:16 & John 3:34

You say, “I can’t go on.”
God says, “My grace is sufficient.” II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 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.” I Peter 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.” Hebrews 13:5

Related Posts

The Blue Ribbon

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centred Love them anyway If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway The good you do today will be...

Who packed your parachute?

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 Charles Plumb was a U.S navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air...

Taking Aim

A young lady name Sally, related an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, professor Smith. She said Professor Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked in and knew they were in for another interesting...

Anyway

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centred Love them anyway If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway The good you do today will be...

Oprah Winfrey and Billy Graham

Last year I watched Billy Graham being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on television.  Oprah told him that in her childhood home, she used to watch him preach on a little black and white TV while sitting on a linoleum floor. She went on to tell viewers that in his...

Lesson’s from Noah’s Ark

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lam 3:23 Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or …I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.Today I can grumble about my health or…I can rejoice that I am alive.Today I...

Today

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or …I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.Today I can grumble about my health or…I can rejoice that I am alive.Today I can mourn my lack of friends or…I can excitedly embark upon a quest to...

Choices

“If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.” Romans 14:18 Jerry is the manager of a restaurant in America. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he...

Rules of Wisdom

God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. Dear God.  I have a problem.  It’s me. Growing old is inevitable; growing UP is optional. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted. Do the math.  Count...

Criticism

In “A Closer Walk”, Catherine Marshall writes: “One morning last week He gave me an assignment: for one day I was to go on a ‘fast’ from criticism. I was not to criticize anybody about anything. For the first half of the day, I simply felt a void, almost as if I had...

A 9-11 Story

“All things work together for good for those who love the Lord who serve Him according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. ‘This is not something I can just sit by for, I have to do something.’ I was concerned for his...

In Step with God

The raw, direct encounters with God experienced by Old Testament Kings and prophets, give a huge insight into God’s character. As we see Israel’s rebellion after rebellion against God, even after repeatedly experiencing His miraculous hand and power, there are those...

Building God’s House

When King David, the “man after God’s own heart”, purposed in his heart to build a house for God, God’s response was “I will build you a house”. God proceeds to say that David’s son will build God’s house and God would establish him rock solid and His reign forever....

From Trust to Statistics?

Over the past year I have invested in multiple investment products and have seen volatility that has not been seen over years. It is easy to count assets in terms of financial value and net worth. There are times God blesses us with financial assets, there are times...

Disabilities

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me . . . for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  (Matthew 19:14, NIV) I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life? Up before dawn each day, off to...