Devotional: God Bless the Fleas

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

I read The Hiding Place [paid link] by Corrie Ten Boom over thirty years ago. The book impacted my life so much that I remember much of it today. If you have not heard of her, Corrie took part in the Danish resistance when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands in the 1940s. She and her father and sister were devout Christians. Their home became a sanctuary for persecuted Jews to hide and avoid capture or worse.

Eventually, Corrie was arrested and sent to a German concentration camp. There, she witnessed many atrocities. She was fifty years old at the time.

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

During her imprisonment, Corrie lived with her fellow captives in an overcrowded barracks infested with fleas and lice. The insect bites and chronic itching added to the cruelty of the situation.

Despite the conditions, the women would gather for Bible studies and prayer every night. God impressed upon Corrie the importance of giving “thanks in all circumstances” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV). So, she made a point to thank God for even the fleas when she prayed. It turned out that the fleas became an unexpected blessing. The infestation of fleas kept the German soldiers from entering! This allowed the captive women a measure of privacy and allowed them to continue their nightly Bible studies without interruption.

Blessings in Disguise

During the Bible studies, many women heard the Gospel message for the first time. Many received prayer and invited Jesus Christ into their hearts. Sadly, most of the women were later killed in the gas chambers. God used Corrie and the fleas to reach them with His love before they died!

You and I may not have a bug infestation in our homes, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fleas. “Fleas” are minor annoyances and insignificant circumstances that cause us to complain. They distract us from what’s truly important, prevent us from expressing gratitude, and steal our joy.

Corrie demonstrated incredible faith by praying in this manner of obedience. I cannot help but wonder what would happen if we learned to do the same. “God bless the fleas!”

Time to Reflect

• Have you ever gone through a circumstance that caused you to complain but later turned out to be a blessing?
• What did you learn about God from that experience?
• What did you learn about yourself? What would you do differently next time?
• Journal a list of the things in your life currently causing you to complain. Use the suggested prayer and invite God to bless each circumstance. Make a note about how and when God answers.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have given me many gifts, especially eternal life, through your son Jesus Christ. I want to express my gratitude and thankfulness for your love for me. I ask forgiveness for taking your love for granted and for taking your son Jesus for granted and for complaining about things that have no impact on my eternal destiny. Please forgive me for becoming easily annoyed and distracted by minor circumstances. Please help me be grateful for the “fleas” in my life and help me recognize the blessings in each circumstance and help me maintain a thankful heart and attitude. Heavenly Father, please bless the “fleas.” In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.