Author: Jan deChambrier
“That’s it, Corrie! That’s His answer, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances!’ That’s what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!”
As internees in the Ravensbrück concentration camp during World War II, Betsie and Corrie ten Boom had entered their newly-assigned barracks with understandable trepidation. Putrid odors assailed their senses as they sat on straw-matted, narrow-slatted bunks, stacked three high. After Nazi officers had raided their family residence in Haarlem, Holland and arrested them for harboring Jews, they were relegated to the same fate as countless others who so bravely protested the egregious evil perpetrated against the Jewish people.
Now, Corrie was vehemently slapping at her legs as swarms of fleas added insult to injury. Asking her sister how they could possibly live in such a place, Betsie’s answer was to pray, “Show us. Show us how.” And God’s answer to her defied human logic but has been recounted and proven time after time throughout biblical history: Give thanks in all circumstances.
More than a bit skeptical at the Pollyanna-like counsel of her older sister, Corrie glared at Betsie as she surveyed the dank, rank room they had been forced to inhabit. Questioning whether there was even a single redemptive thing for which to be thankful, Corrie challenged Betsie with a sarcastic, “Such as?” Betsie immediately replied, “Such as being assigned here together.” Recognizing the blessing in this, Corrie bit her lip and gave thanks.
Soon they were on a roll, praising God for allowing them to smuggle in a small Bible so they could read it aloud to the other women in the room. They thanked Him for overstuffing their quarters with many more than it was meant to accommodate so they could all hear God’s word. But when Betsie even began to give thanks for the fleas, Corrie said, “Betsie, there’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.” Until the day they discovered that the only reason the guards would not enter this particular structure to sabotage their special meetings was because it was infested by fleas!
Their barracks became known as “the crazy place where women have hope.” And it all started with obedience to God by offering Him thanks. It reminds me of when King Jehoshaphat was leading the people of Judah against the onslaught of Ammonites and Moabites, seeing a vast army coming against them. Instructing the people to have faith in God and in His prophets, he appointed men to sing to the Lord, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.” 2 CHRONICLES 20:21 Even as they were singing and praising God, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies, who were soundly defeated.
In today’s world of wars and rumors of wars, pestilence, famine, and seemingly countless other woes, we have endless opportunities to give thanks and witness the goodness of God as He rises up in response to our prayers. The next time you are facing the fleas of life, try offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. Prepare to be amazed as He shines His light into your darkness and offers a ray of hope.
(Quotations from The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, with Elizabeth and John Sherrill)
