Corrie ten Boom's Opinion Means a Lot to Me

Yesterday did not go exactly as planned, but it was good. I ended up at gymnastics watching Dancer Girl(which I rarely get to do), while Long Haired Daddy took Little One to the store. We ended up having a nice family dinner with Uncle Brent. This post really has nothing to do with that, though.

On some days, I skim through a devotional by Corrie ten Boom called This Day is the Lord's. I like this devotional because they are short and can be read quickly, say, like when you are going to the bathroom. The bathroom is my hiding place. ha ha.

Ok, for those who didn't get my joke, Corrie ten Boom also wrote The Hiding Place, which is her true story account of her time in a concentration camp. Though she and her family were Christians, they helped many Jews to escape from Hitler's grasp, though they were punished themselves. Those who bless the Jews will be blessed, and those who curse them will be cursed. It says so in the Bible, though I don't remember exactly where. Some industrious person out there can look it up for me.

Anyway, today's devotional was really good. Here is an excerpt.
"Do you think that any stone or obstacle on your path is there for no reason at all? Whether it be ugly, big, or small, you must believe that it has to be just where it is, but certainly not to hinder you from getting on, certainly not to weaken your courage or strength. A wise hand put it there, in order that you might take a good look at it and then talk about it with God, asking Him what He wants to make clear to you by it. And if you meet God at every stone, then every stone will bless you.

These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure...I Peter 1:7 (Living Bible)"

That said, I do not think every bad thing is from the hand of God. The Bible is clear that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but God wants us to have an abundant life (from John 10:10). Also, it says in Psalm 91 that he who has his hiding place in God will be guarded by angels, who will keep your foot from being dashed against a stone (my paraphrases).

Even so, what Corrie ten Boom says has weight with me. Think about it, how can a woman who survived life in a concentration camp come out and say that our trials are blessings from God? She saw and survived horrible things, even the death of her sister in the concentration camp. If she can put her trust in God, even through all that, it gives me courage to do the same through my small daily trials. It is always good to get a bigger perspective.

By the way, if you have never read The Hiding Place, I highly recommend it.