Gratitude in Ravensbrück: Corrie Ten Boom’s Flea Story and the True Meaning of Thanksgiving

Blackboard featuring the words 'Grateful Thankful Blessed' in a cozy interior setting.

From a Christian perspective, Thanksgiving is less about a historical holiday and more a dedicated opportunity to practice a core biblical value: universal gratitude and praise to God for all His blessings.

At its heart, the Christian meaning of Thanksgiving is the recognition that God is the ultimate source of all good things in life, both material and spiritual.

For Christians, Thanksgiving is a powerful reminder that all life is a gift from a loving God. The appropriate response is to live a life overflowing with praise and gratitude for both physical blessings and the spiritual gift of salvation, even in dark times when it is most challenging.

Detailed macro photography of a housefly showcasing its distinctive red eyes and intricate body texture.

The Hiding Place

Last winter, I read a great book, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. If you haven’t read it I recommend you do. It tells the true story and autobiography of Corrie and her family, who were Dutch Christians arrested for hiding Jews from the Nazis during World War II.

The famous incident involving gratitude for fleas happens when Corrie and her sister, Betsie Ten Boom, are imprisoned in the Ravensbrück concentration camp in Germany.

When the sisters arrive at their new, crowded, and filthy barracks, Corrie is horrified to discover that the place is infested with fleas and lice. Betsie, a woman of deep and unwavering faith, reminds Corrie of the Bible verse 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Betsie then insists that they must thank God for everything in the barracks, even the fleas. Corrie protests, finding it impossible to be grateful for the miserable insects, but eventually gives in. I can relate more to Corrie, as I would also find it very difficult to be grateful for anything in such a terrible situation. I’m sure most of you can more easily relate to Corrie as well.

Later, the sisters wonder why the guards almost never enter their barracks, which allows them to hold forbidden Bible studies and prayer meetings with the other women. Betsie eventually learns the reason: the guards refuse to enter the barracks because they are so repulsed by the fleas and the infestation.

The fleas, which seemed like an intolerable curse, turned out to be God’s way of protecting the women and granting them the freedom to minister to others without fear of supervision. This moment became one of the most powerful lessons in the book about finding a reason for gratitude in the darkest of circumstances.

A diverse group of friends raises their arms in celebration against a vibrant sunset backdrop.

Finding Gratitude Even in Death

When I was in my early 20s, I went through a difficult divorce. I had to move into my parents’ home, with whom I had a very difficult relationship. I had no car, no job, no money, and a 1-year-old son.

During the time I was living with my parents, my mom (technically my stepmom, but she raised me since I was four) was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This terminal diagnosis led my mom to search for a deeper meaning in life and death, and that led her to become a believer in Jesus Christ, in her suffering. I noticed a significant change in her character: she became more humble, kind, forgiving, and loving. 2 Corinthians 3:18:
“And we all, with unveiled face, continually like the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit”. I believe this terminal diagnosis was the best thing that could have happened to her. She invited me to an Alpha course at the church she was attending. (The Alpha course is a series of sessions that explores the foundations of the Christian faith.) In this course, I became a believer in Christ, my Savior.

My mom died 14 years ago this Christmas season. I miss her, but I’m grateful she invited me to that Alpha course and that she will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ the one whom saved her. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

How Christian Should View Thanksgiving

1. The Source of All Blessings: Christians believe, as stated in the Bible, that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). Therefore, the day is a chance to pause from the normal routine and actively acknowledge God for:

Food, shelter, health, and material needs. This connects directly to the holiday’s harvest and feasting aspects.
The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life.
Family, friends, community, and the love shared with one another.

2. Year-Round, Not Just a Day: For Christians, thanksgiving is meant to be a daily, year-round way of life, not just an annual event. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” emphasizes this persistent attitude of gratitude.

3. Humility and Dependence: Thankfulness is seen as the opposite of pride. By giving thanks, a person acknowledges their dependence on God rather than boasting in their own achievements. It is a humble recognition that they have received everything as a gift.