Being an Optimistic Giver

Winnie the Pooh is one of the most beloved children’s storybook collections. Taking place in the imaginary land of the 100-acre Woods, “Pooh Bear” and his friends always seem to find themselves in predicaments and adventures that are often brought on by Pooh’s very friendly and caring but also slow-witted nature. Among Pooh’s friends are other equally beloved characters such as the hyper and energetic Tigger, the timid and fearful Piglet, and, of course, the always gloomy and pessimistic Eeyore. Eeyore can seem to find the negative in just about anything. If there’s a reason why something will fail, he’ll point it out. If there’s a cause for complaint, he’ll find it! On an otherwise joyous occasion, Eeyore will be there to dampen the mood.

Eeyore is only a fictional character, but chances are we can think of people in our lives who share some of these Eeyore traits. In fact, if we’re being honest, there’s a bit of Eeyore in all of us. In our world today, it’s hard not to be pessimistic sometimes. When we tune into current events, it seems like all we hear about are economic insecurities, natural disasters, the moral falls of public figures, or conflicts in our community, nation, or world. When we scroll through social media, we are bombarded with photos or stories of peoples’ vacations, dining experiences, family accomplishments or career successes, which can cause us to feel inadequate about our own lives. It can be so easy to fall victim to this “Eeyore Syndrome” and grow cynical or pessimistic, right?

This Eeyore mentality can permeate all areas of our lives, including our relationships, careers, faith and even our generosity. When we find ourselves feeling pessimistic about our generosity – questioning our impact, fixating on what we lack or doubting our giftings, there’s a passage in Scripture we can turn to for encouragement. In Acts 3, in the midst of the Holy Spirit filling the Apostles to launch the Church, there’s a story of Peter and John going to the temple to pray when they approach a man, paralyzed from birth, who was begging for money. Let’s pick up the story there:

“Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ the lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!’ Then Peter took the lame man by the hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them” (Acts 3:4-8).

What’s remarkable about this story is Peter’s response to the beggar. Instead of being distracted by what he lacked, Peter focused on giving what he had, and this gift was far greater than any sum of money the man was expecting! While we may never find ourselves in a position to command someone to walk in Jesus’ name, Peter’s response can still encourage us. Consider how you can apply his response to your own unique context. Use this simple way of transforming your own mind by filling in the blanks and speaking out these statements:

I don’t have ­­­__________.  (Be honest about something you lack right now.)

But I do have __________.  (In faith and humility, be willing to name something.)

Instead of being pessimistic and fixating on what we lack, let’s give optimism a try by focusing on what we do have. We should never underestimate the power of what we do have either. Sometimes it’s in giving what we have, even if it’s not what others expect or are even asking for, that grants another a gift that they truly need and blesses them in ways far greater than they imagine!