Deep in the Hundred Acre Woods

We all crave purpose and a form of adventure. Children have an active mind, are extremely creative and allow their imagination to take them on adventures of a lifetime. As adults we can learn to use our imagination to create amazing things, but we don’t.

The Hundred Acre Woods is a place that sparks imagination and creativity. Each character has a personality that can fit us all at different times. I have to believe that A.A. Milne saw through the eyes of his child, Christopher Robin who was the inspiration for the boy in the “Winnie the Pooh” book series. While we have come to love the “Winnie the Pooh” series, we also know that being “too lost” in our own imagination can cause heartache.

In our own lives, we can identify all the characters. We see that each character also has a Biblical and Spiritual scripture that can help us combat our imagination and the situation we may be facing. Let’s go through them one by one and see how the Winnie the Pooh characters can help us live in the Kingdom of God AKA The Hundred Acre Woods.

First is Winnie the Pooh. He is the basis for the series Winnie the Pooh. He has a bit of each character in the series. But he also knows that Christopher Robin is the answer to all the problems that the characters face.

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV)

God wants us to be a friend to those around us. Encouraging others allows us to be an example to those around us. We are to work together; we are not to go it alone.

Second is Piglet. Piglet is the one that gets easily scared. Also, he is one of the two smaller characters. While we may not want to be him, he is easily the one that we sometimes identify with the most, because we must combat fear all the time. The two verses that come to mind on how we combat fear are found in 2 Timothy 1:7 and 1 Timothy 4:12.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)

God gives us peace. God is a Spirit, and we are also a spirit. Our Spirit is to be intertwined with His and we are to dwell with Him. When we stop dwelling with Him then we are plagued with fear, and we become like Piglet.

Next, we have Tigger. He reminds us that we can have joy in the little things. Tigger loves his tail and bouncing on it. He also reminds us that we are unique. “The wonderful thing about Tigger’s is that I’m the only one”. We are each unique to God.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)

Before you were born God knew you. You have a purpose and destiny. You are not an accident. God will use your life for His glory. Never forget that God is pulling for you. The bounce and joy we have should be a praise to God.

“While we have come to love the “Winnie the Pooh” series, we also know that being “too lost” in our own imagination can cause heartache.”

Another character is Rabbit. While Rabbit gets stuff done, he is also the one that forgets that we do not need to do the stuff by ourselves. Rabbit shows that humans are frail, and he easily gets angry with his friends, sometimes way too quickly.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 (NIV)

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah Psalm 4:4 (ESV)

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NKJV)

God wants us to have purpose and work. But are we burning ourselves out when not asking for help? A peaceful life in Christ helps can help us deal with bitterness and anger resulting in greater calm.

Then we have Owl. While Owl is considered wise and has knowledge, he rarely uses wisdom. In one of the movies, Owl flies out of a hole, encourages Piglet and then flies back INTO the hole. Rabbit is so overjoyed with the encouragement that we fail to see that Owl could have helped ALL the friends out of hole by helping Piglet.

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.James 3:13 (NIV)

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.Proverbs 3:7 (NKJV)

God wants us to be wise. He wants us to use the knowledge that he gives us to make the correct and moral choices.

Sixth, we have Kanga who is the only female character. She shows us that motherhood is vital. She also expresses kindness and most of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

God wants us to yield to the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. He also wants us to train our children in God’s Word, so that our children can live a life pleasing to God.

Roo, Kanga’s baby, shows us that we are young and need to be trained in God’s Word. He reminds us that we need to honor our mother and father. He also reminds us to have faith like a child and that we don’t need to be afraid.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”Ephesians 6:1-3 (NKJV)

God wants us to listen to our parents. He wants children to follow in the training they have been raised in and to live a life that honors God. Listening to our parents allows us to understand how to listen to God.

Last, we have Eeyore. He is the most talked about in the last few years as the depressed character and his friends include him in the adventures. They do not forcefully cheer him up or expect him to be happy. We know that depression does not come from God. While we have trials, we continue to know God working.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.Romans 12:2 (NLT)

God never wants us to walk around depressed. Our joy comes from the Lord, not from our circumstances. Also, there is a difference between joy and happiness. Joy comes from knowing God, but the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Each character allows us to see that we as humans are frail and we at times exhibit the characteristics that these Winnie the Pooh characters portray.

Have a nice day… See you soon