The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. 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.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger.

He cried out, “God! How could you do this to me?”

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship 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.

The Teaching:

It’s easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we should never lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Every cloud has a silver lining. In every negative event or experience there is bound to be something positive. It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. We must develop the ability to see positive in seemingly negative events and experiences. This ability helps us to calm the mind.

Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.