Thankful in Everything!

Paul told us in Ephesians 5:20 that we should "always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." How can we do this? How can one be thankful for possibly losing a job? Having a sick child? Wrecking one's car? Or even being homeless?

Corrie ten Boom was a young Dutch woman during the time of the Nazi Holocaust. She and her family had been hiding Jews in their home when the Nazi's picked up the whole family, throwing them into Ravensbruck, a concentration camp in Germany. Here is what she had to say about being 'thankful in everything'.

"Conditions in our barracks in the concentration camp at Ravensbruck were terrible. When we first arrived, I told Betsie I could not bear the lice that lived in our filthy blankets and mattresses. She replied, "You must thank God for everything, even the lice."

Betsie was right. Because of the bugs which infested our barrack, the women guards and officers kept their distance, and we were able to hold our Bible studies without fear. God has a use for the vermin, after all!

Sometimes what we see as a curse one day becomes a blessing the next day. How much more simple it would be if we would learn to thank God for everything instead of using our own judgment."

Corrie's Prayer: "Lord, I need a miracle by Your Holy Spirit to thank You for my problem of today. Thank You that You are willing to make me willing."

My Prayer: What a blessing Corrie ten Boom became to the world, Lord; and what lessons she has taught us! She learned to know You best in the barracks of a concentration camp. She learned to thank You for her solitary conditions at first, then her lice infested conditions, and even when her dear sister died from starvation and illness, she thanked You. Oh Lord, forgive me for ever complaining. Thank You for each day You give me. I give thanks with a grateful heart. Amen