Gratitude Lesson from the Holocaust

The story is told of how Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom learned the importance of thankfulness. She and her sister Betsy were in the Ravensbruk concentration camp together. They were often covered with fleas and lice. The bugs were on absolutely everything including their bodies and in their hair.

Corrie said, “Betsy, you have gone too far this time. I am not going to thank God for lice.” Betsy said, “Oh, but Corrie, the Bible tells us, ‘In everything give thanks.’” Why would Betsy be thankful for these bugs that make you itch constantly?

Later, Corrie would find out that it was the lice that kept their guards from physically assaulting or raping them. The Germans stayed their distance from Corrie and her sister because of their present circumstances.

So, yes, they had good reason to be thankful for the bugs. They found beauty in the horrible situation.

Being thankful when life is hard is not easy, yet it is worth it. If these ladies could be thankful for lice, then we can find something to appreciate. We can have hope that goodness will prevail, even during times of pure evil. Light always extinguishes darkness. Again, what you focus on you feel. Abundance is always available when you think about gratitude. Indeed, gratitude is just another word for abundance.