If you’re feeling anxious or worried about the state of the world, know that you’re not alone. In these uncertain and violent times, people of all ages and from many walks of life are expressing concern and anxiety. Endless wars, child pornography, increased crime, and more slavery than at any time in history. Not to mention uncontrolled immigration and porous borders. These evils and injustices anger us, as they should.
Evil times present the church with great opportunities
But what about the fear and anxiety? How should we respond to them? First of course, we should pray that those in authority will make wise and just laws. Second, we must remember that no matter how bad things get, God is in control.
Finally, we must reach out, not retreat in fear. Because evil times present the Church with its greatest opportunities. The light always shines brightest in greater darkness.
I don’t want to discuss the issues surrounding the immigration crisis. Like many people, I am opposed to allowing illegal, unvetted immigrants into my country. One of the biggest concerns is that terrorists could enter the country this way. How should we, as Christians, respond to this and all the troubling situations we face in these challenging times?
The courage of the Ten Boom family
This reminds me of one of my all-time greatest heroes, Corrie ten Boom. She and her family — including her 84-year-old father, Casper ten Boom — hid Jews to save them from the Nazi Holocaust during World War II. They lived with the “what if” threat constantly hanging over them.
What if one of them was a spy, a traitor, or an informer? It could have cost them their lives or condemned them to a concentration camp.
One day, shortly after a member of the Underground had brought them a Jewish baby to hide, a pastor came to their home. But babies were the most dangerous of all. One cry, and they could all be caught.
They couldn’t keep the baby. Their home was too public, with too many visitors. “You live in the country,” they told the pastor. “You can take the baby!”
But the pastor was afraid. It might cost too much. “You could lose your lives for this baby,” he told them.
Papa Ten Boom promptly replied, “You say we could lose our lives for this child. I would consider that the greatest honor for my family.”
He understood that God wants us to respond with faith, not fear. He believed that God has left us here to be His hands and His feet, and show the world His heart.
As a world history buff, I’ve always wondered how an entire nation could go so far astray as Germany did during World War II. And I always pray that if I ever live through such times, I will have the courage and faith to stand against the tide, as the Ten Boom family did.
Becoming God’s hands and feet
In this complex and frightening time, how can we be God’s hands and feet? How can we show His heart? I don’t want to judge the pastor who went away without the baby. Fear is a powerful weapon, and we never know how we’ll react until we’re in that situation ourselves.
I hope that I would react as Papa Ten Boom did. Like him, I hope I would respond with faith, love, and courage, even in the face of betrayal and arrest.
The Ten Boom family was eventually betrayed by an informant and arrested. The authorities offered to release Casper Ten Boom from prison because of his old age, as long as he promised not to hide any more people. He refused, saying, “If I go home today, tomorrow I will open my door to anyone who knocks for help.” He died in prison just ten days later.
The entire family was arrested and sent to prison or concentration camps for their role in saving Jewish lives during World War II. Most of them were released, but four family members died as a result of their imprisonment. Corrie survived only because she was released from the Ravensbrück concentration camp due to a clerical error. Just a week later, women her age were sent to the gas chambers.
The faith and courage of the Ten Boom family remain a great encouragement and precious testimony even after so many years. They were willing to do the right thing, no matter the cost. My prayer is that God would help us do likewise.
Visit the Ten Boom Family Museum!
If you found the Ten Boom testimony uplifting, why not take a virtual tour of their hiding place? It’s been transformed into a museum that commemorates their extraordinary story. Click here to begin your tour!
Be on your guard; you will be handed over to me local counsels and be flogged in the synagogues… but when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:17-20
📷 Image credits: faces; Casper & Corrie ten Boom, used according to fair use standards
4 replies on “Conquering Anxiety in These Fearful Times: The Ten Boom Family”
Corrie ten Boom has been a mentor-in-abstentia for decades of my life. I too marvel at the family’s courage and stalwart faith in the face of grave danger. As Papa ten Boom taught his daughters from childhood, God will always supply what we need, including courage, when the time comes. That promise certainly held for them; it will hold for each of us. I am counting on it! Any courage I could muster myself would surely fail!
Yes, Nancy, I think Papa ten Boom must have been a remarkable man. I don’t know if you’ve ever read Corrie’s book “In My Father’s House.” But it offers so much insight into the family. After reading it, it seemed natural that they would all have such courage and stalwart faith. The entire family was amazing!
Thank you for this timely post. I have been struggling with anger over what evil one coward with a pickup truck can do in minutes and wondering why. This does put things in perspective and reminds us that we will not know the why of things but can have a role to play like the Ten Boom family. Thank you also for this virtual tour. I have never seen the actual photos of these places. New Year’s blessings to you.
I’m glad it helped, Pete. The ten Boom family has always been a help and encouragement to me in such times. Like them, I do not understand. But they also remind me that perhaps we too have a role to play, and can help, at least in some small wlay.