By: Heather Shoffstall, Director of Student Ministries

“Good morning, Pooh Bear.” Eeyore said to Pooh. “If it is a good morning,” he said. “Which I doubt.” This simple exchange in A.A. Milne’s children’s book between a stuffed bear and a stuffed donkey reveals much about this extremely gloomy yet enormously loveable character. Of all the characters in the Hundred Acre Wood, Pooh’s friend Eeyore is my favorite.

Especially at this time of year I can relate to Eeyore. The time change brings darkness earlier and the light of day is shorter. I feel like the gloomy days of winter make me want to complain more.

In another exchange with Pooh, Eeyore notes, “It’s snowing still.”

“So it is,” Pooh answers.

“And freezing,” Eeyore adds. “However, we haven’t had an earthquake lately.”

Eeyore tries to see the good in his complaint. He tries to find hope in the day. In our Wednesday night DSM Bible studies in October, we learned that “Even still, God gives us hope.”

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13

The hope that is in the Bible is a bold, courageous, and active kind of hope. It’s the kind of hope that only comes from God. How many of us are like Eeyore and see the bad or dark in everything? If so, ask God to help you recognize and stop the negative thinking. Ask God to give you hope and joy. Ask Him to help you stop the negative thinking and fill you with the light of Jesus.

Life can feel dark sometimes. Even then, God’s promises are still true, God is still good, and God is always with us. The next time life feels dark and hopeless, remember, even still, God gives us hope.