Life lessons from Corrie ten Boom - Part 2Sample

A suitcase full of sorrows 

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

The barracks where she sleeps in the Ravensbrück concentration camp is so overcrowded that three women have to share a small bunk bed. It teems with fleas and lice. Corrie dislikes it very much and it annoys her. But Betsie encourages Corrie to cast all her burdens with thanksgiving unto God. Corrie is very reluctant to do so and replies: “Why would you be thankful for the attack of vermin?” But after a while, they discover that the SS guards would never inspect their barracks because they know they will be jumped on by the fleas and lice. Therefore Corrie and Betsie can give short encouraging Bible studies to the women in their barracks without being controlled by the guards. 

The day after Betsie died, Corrie is told that she is released and she travels back to the Netherlands. Already by 1946, she travels all over the world carrying all her possessions in two suitcases. She then still has to learn again and again to cast all her burdens unto the Lord. One day the Lord talks to her about it and speaks to her heart: “Corrie every time you present your sorrows and burdens to Me, you do not leave them in My hands, but take them all back and carry them all day long day like a heavy suitcase. Why do you unpack to immediately pack again? If you present your burdens with prayer and supplication, could you really leave them with Me?”

To reflect upon

We are supposed to care for tomorrow, but we are told not to worry about tomorrow. Worry about tomorrow empties us of the strength for today. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.

Prayer

Thank You Lord that I can talk with You about all that burdens me, I want to cast my burdens unto You and leave them in Your caring hands, trusting that You will supply all I need today.