Eeyore theology

Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands.— Psalm 90:17

How does a believer in Jesus Christ cope with life’s brevity and burdens without giving in to what Michael Easly of Moody Bible Institute calls “Eeyore theology”? Eeyore, Winnie-the-Pooh’s gloomy donkey friend, always walks slowly with his head down. He sees the negative side of everything. An Eeyore Christian can be heard making statements like these: “Sin is rampant everywhere — even in the church.” “The world is in worse shape than ever.” “God is about to judge us for our wickedness.”

When Moses wrote Psalm 90, he was in a somber mood as he thought about the difference between God’s eternal majesty  and our human frailty. We struggle, we sorrow, we sin, we fear God, and we die (vv. 7-10). Depressing isn’t it? But Moses didn’t end his psalm in that mood.

How would Moses respond to Eeyore theology? He wrote, “Satisfy us early  with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!” (v. 14). When we see the value of each moment and live in the glory of our redemption and the joy of our blessings in Christ, we show our delight in God to our children and grandchildren (vv. 16-17).

Lord, keep us from being like Eeyore, and help us to leave a legacy of gladness, hope, and peace.  — Dave Egner

When trials assail and my moods descend,

When pain and sorrow seem never to end,

I yield to You, Lord, so that I may see

The peace and the joy You’ve promised me.  — Fitzhugh

READ:  Psalm 90

You won’t be a child of despair if you remember our Father’s care.

The Bible in one year:

• Joshua 22-24

• Luke 3