Bring on The Fleas

David Ayres

Oct 6

2 min read

Read

Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice![1]

What it is speaking to me

Paul wrote "Rejoice in the Lord always" from a prison. Scholars traditionally place Philippians in his Roman imprisonment around AD 60 to 62. He was bound by chains and under constant guard. It reminded me of another believers story about rejoicing in a dark dark place.

Corrie ten Boom lived this out in World War II. She and her sister Betsie were sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp for hiding Jewish people from the Nazis. In Barrack 28, an overcrowded, run-down building, they shared a bed infested with fleas.

The story goes that one day Corrie complained about the conditions. Betsie would not let her mood be dampened and told Corrie to "give thanks in all circumstances". Corrie couldn't think of one thing to be thankful for, so Betsie started a list: grateful to be together, grateful for their Bible, and grateful for the fleas. Corrie protested, "Not for the fleas." Betsie answered that Scripture says all circumstances, not just the pleasant ones.

Then they noticed something odd. They were holding Bible studies in the barracks with almost no interference, even though Bibles were forbidden. Betsie overheard the guards say they refused to go inside because the place was crawling with fleas. The very thing that that Corrie didn't want to be grateful for was protecting them as they shared Jesus with other women.

The order of events is the thing that stood out to me. Betsie (and Corrie) gave thanks before they knew why. The reason came later. Paul is in prison rejoicing in circumstances that normally don't warrant traditional gratitude. Maybe the point is "Always" means we rejoice on the days when we can't see the point.

What is it saying to you?

What is your "fleas" right now, the thing you'd least expect to thank God for?
Where are you waiting to understand before you give thanks?

What are we going to do about it?

Before your day gets too old, write down three specific things you are grateful for, and include one thing that is an annoyance. It might be your fleas.