2 Peter 1:5-7 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

A friend forwarded me the story below.  I searched the internet to find the source and found that this little story has been shared by so many others.  I did find the scripture above along with one person's record of the sotry.  Unfortunately, I still don't know who wrote it. I do know that it is a helpful to provide perspective and to remind us to exercise our faith. 

I've been working to look at every situation in my life and find the benefit.  I know people talk about finding that good all the time.  However, somtimes I am easily annoyed.  Heated, really.   It has frequently taken me more than a moment to cool off.  Fortunately, I manage to do a ton of talking to myself before I open my mouth and say more than I want.  Yesterday, I was analyzing some challenges and seeing the blessing in them.  These were mostly small challenges, just enough to get under my skin.  There were a couple a little larger and I found the blessing in those too.  Not the far off blessing, the blessing for the moment. 

For instance, I did think that one of my friends was acting very unfriendly.  Now, I know.  Before I really get bent out of shape, I understand that my perspective of this relationship is just a little different than I thought.  I'm not going to hold any grudges or cut myself off.  I'm simply going to eliminate some of my expectations.  Immediately, I reduced my stress and accepted my friend for exactly who my really friend is...an associate.  My small challenge provided me the big blessings of knowing the truth and relieving stress along with other obligations.  I also managed to exhibit self-control, brotherly kindness and love. 

A bigger challenge is actually seeing the results of my exercise and healthy diet plan.  Perseverance is certainly being developed along with my better conditioning and improved health.

 When examining my challenges, I also spent more time talking to God.  There are times (every day) when simply talking to me is just not enough.
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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 himself 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.

Moral of the Story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad or things have caused undue stress, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain, suffering, or stress. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground.  It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

P.S.  You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today.