Whadda We Gonna Do Now, Lippy?

by Brenda Leyland

If you are old enough, you may recall the 1960's Hanna-Barbera cartoon series with the larger than life Lippy the Lion and his sidekick, Hardy Har Har, the pessimistic non-laughing hyena.

Optimistic Lippy, who was never stuck for a great idea, was forever arranging some kind of new adventure for the pair of them, which caused Hardy no end of grief and distress. In his dreary, monotone voice, Hardy would always lament, "Oh me, oh my! Whadda we gonna do now, Lippy?" As I recall, Lippy never seemed stuck for a way out.

"Oh no! What are we going to do now?" Have you ever said that in your lifetime? Or heard the enemy of your soul whispering it in your ears, "Whatcha going to do now, eh? There's no way God can help you out of this mess."

I've learned over the years that trouble is going to come, but when it does, I always have a choice: I can join Hardy's Pessimistic Club and wring my hands in dismay and fear. Or, I can respond, like the overcoming, confident believer that I claim to be, with the declaration, "With God nothing shall be impossible. Here's my opportunity to prove that God is able, that His word is true, and that it will work even in this situation."

Lippy always found an answer to their dilemma, which meant that he and Hardy could come back to entertain us another day. The places and times where I have previously experienced God's faithful promises in my life always come back to remind me that 'this present darkness' is just another opportunity to prove to myself, to the people around me, and to the devil himself, that God is still faithful and His word still works. Every time!

So, what are you going to do now, Lippy?


"Now thanks be to God who ALWAYS leads us in triumph in Christ..." 2 Corinthians 2:14