The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on the beach of a small, uninhabited island. Battered and bruised, tattered and torn, discouraged and desperate, he cried out to God. He prayed fervently for God to rescue him, Every day, he would scan the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the sun and the rain, and to store his meager possessions he was able to salvage from the sinking ship.
One day after scavenging for food, he returned ‘home’ to find his little hut in flames with thick smoke billowing up to the sky. He let out a guttural breath. He closed his eyes and shook his head. When your hut is on fire… The worst had happened.
Everything was lost!
With shoulders slumped, he stood in stunned disbelief, grief and anger. He looked up toward the heavens and cried out. “God, how could You do this to me?” He fell to his knees on the hot sand and wept bitterly. ” Why didn’t You just let me die in the shipwreck?”
Early the next morning, he awoke to the sound of a boat approaching the island. He squinted against the rays of the rising sun. 
“It’s a search and rescue boat,” he whispered, not daring to believe his eyes.
“How did you know I was here,?” the weary man asked of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
My friend, it is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But, we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain, our trials, our suffering. Please remember that the next time when your hut is on fire and burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God to rescue you. Keep in mind, God may not always rescue you the way or when we think He should. He is more creative and intentional than we could ever imagine. He is mighty to save. God has a purpose. He teaches us through trials. He hears our cries.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6