Choose to be...

Late last night we came home to find our beautiful Smee lying on the back doorstep, unable to stand up. His back legs and tail were limp and he was desperately trying to crawl towards me with his front paws. Sadly, early this morning he was put to sleep.

I could so easily complain about this and be angry at God for allowing this to happen. But then...why do I deserve an easy life? Have I followed God's commands all of my life? Or am I disobedient to God's Word - a sinner, just like everybody else?

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 ESV

While in prison, Paul and Silus decided not to blame God for their circumstances, but instead praised God with song and prayer. They used their God-given free will to make the choice to worship God, rather than blame God for the hardship.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:25-31 ESV

I'm grateful that my circumstances are not that bad, but today I pray that through the upset, I can see past what feels wrong in these circumstances, and fix my heart on what is right with God.

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Hebrews 13:15 ESV