No Hatred

Elisabeth ten Boom (1885-1944) or known as Betsie, suffered along with her sister Corrie Ten Boom in Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, Germany, where she eventually died at age 59 from Pernicious anemia.

After Corrie was released as a result of a clerical error, she would travel the world telling her story, write several books and even have a film inspired by The Hiding Place.

Betsie's life and death was never overshadowed by her sister rather she was very much a part of Corrie's work, having received visions from God to what she was to do upon her release. Corrie faithfully carried out the work until her death in 1983 at age 91.

While there are many quotes taken from Corrie's work, some of Betsie's words still hold a lot of meaning even 69 years from her passing.

One such quote is, "No hatred, Corrie."

It was a warning to her sister not to give into the spirit of the age which ruled so cruelly and wickedly during that horrible time.

The Scripture that freed Corrie from the snare of hatred was Romans 5:5. Paul writes, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." In that moment she realized, God's love poured into her was stronger than the hatred in her heart. Only God's love could overcome hatred.

Beloved, for some, cruel and painful things were committed against us. Some of us have not see justice in the way we desire to right the wrongs and for others, justice is too late. But to hate means to remain bound, a captive to the wounding and to the darkness inflicted on us. It means shutting out any life and light of God in those places.

Yes, only God's love can dispel the hatred we battle in our hearts and minds toward people who wounded us (some may not even be aware of it). When we have this revelation of God's powerful love, when God directs, we can extend forgiveness which little or no resistance and difficulty, but offer it freely.