Do Not Worry

“Do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” 

Matthew 6:31-34

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian writer and speaker who survived being incarcerated in the infamous Ravensbrück labor camp for women during World War II for helping Jews and other refugees escape from the clutches of the Nazis. She learned that, “Worry is like a rocking chair: it keeps you moving but doesn't get you anywhere."

During her stay in the prison camp, God showed her that He could use even bugs for His purposes. She and her older sister Betsie would hold Bible studies and prayer meetings in the overcrowded barracks. Although the Bible was absolutely forbidden, Corrie had been able to miraculously smuggle a small one inside with her. She worried about being found out, but Betsie told her not to worry as the German guards did not dare go inside their barracks because it was well known to be flea infested! So night after night, many women huddled together, and received sustenance from the Bible. 

After 10 months in Ravensbrück, Betsie died from lack of food and medical attention, but not before she told Corrie that, “We must tell them, Corrie! We must tell people what we have learned here. We must tell them that there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still. They will listen to us, Corrie, because we have been here.”

A few days after Betsie’s death, Corrie was miraculously released due to a clerical error. She learned later that all the women in the camp of her age bracket were murdered in the gas chambers to make way for new prisoners arriving. She spent the rest of her life speaking and writing about God’s love and forgiveness. She traveled to more than 60 countries to spread this message and never asked people for money, only waited for God to provide. 

He did.