True Faith

True Faith

2 Thessalonians 3:3 says "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one" Cornelia Arnolda Ten Boom and formally known as "Corrie" was born on April 15th 1892. She worked with her Father in his watch shop and with her mother around the house. Until the Nazi invasion, when they imprisoned her because she hid Jews in a secret room to keep them from danger. After World War II ended, Corrie wrote a book called "The Hiding Place" where she relives her responses to a prisoner's life style. She also shows how her earlier life prepared her for captivity. Corrie Ten Boom was most definitely one of history's most memorable women because of her seemingly endless faith, persistence and respect for others.

Life in Harlem, for the Ten Boom's consisted of Bible reading, working in the shop, and cleaning the Beje. So, because of Corrie's life earlier, faithfully, she was stronger than the other prisoners. At the Ten Boom's home, it was very Biblical and they read the bible on a daily basis. Her mother and Aunts taught her hard work ethic, especially Tante Jans. Another wonderful quality was Corrie's persistence, and faith which made it easier for her to work in the concentration camp. Her father always taught her to trust God with her life and to be faithful. The hard times in Corrie's early life made her a very loyal woman and she was always working beside her sister during the Nazi invasion.

In Nazi-occupied Holland, at the time of Corrie's arrest, her response to the way the officers treated her was especially negative, but later on she realized that she had the strength to help the other prisoners. In the beginning Corrie relied on her sister Bestie for advice. At times, Corrie would ask why she was there and become unthankful, which Bestie reminded her not to do. But despite the moments of questioning, Corrie was strong, courageous and began to thank God even for the bugs. She obviously believed in the wisdom of 2 Thessalonians 3:3 and was reminded the God would protect her from evil which emphasized her passion for others.

What would you have done if you were in Corrie Ten Boom's shoes in a Nazi concentration camp? To be completely honest, if I were in her place, the loss of faith would be immense and I would be bitter, mortified and frustrated. I probably wouldn't be thankful for even the clothes I wore or the little food I ate. The aftermath of prison, is unknown, I'm not sure what I would do after I got out, if I got out. Which is why being strengthened and constantly seeking wise counseling is paramount. The Nazi invasion would have been a hard situation to be in, and could result in a loss of faith.

Corrie and her family were constant in their faith and were always grateful which helped them later on while creating and using the hiding place. She