Story of forgiveness by Corrie Ten Boom


One of the most powerful and poignant stories of forgiveness is that of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who survived the Ravensbruck concentration camp during World War II. Here is her story as recounted in various sources, including her book "The Hiding Place" and other accounts:

Corrie ten Boom's Story of Forgiveness

Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie were arrested by the Nazis in 1944 for hiding Jews in their home in Holland. They were sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp, where they endured unimaginable suffering and hardship. Betsie died in the camp due to the harsh conditions and mistreatment.After the war, Corrie ten Boom became a traveling evangelist, sharing her story and the message of forgiveness and redemption. In 1947, she was speaking at a church in Munich, Germany, when she encountered a man who had been a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp.

The Encounter

As Corrie ten Boom described in her account, she saw the man standing in the crowd, wearing a gray overcoat and a brown felt hat. However, her mind instantly flashed back to the concentration camp, and she saw him in his Nazi uniform, a vivid reminder of the trauma she and her sister had endured.The man approached her after her talk, extending his hand and praising her message about God's forgiveness. He revealed that he had been a guard at Ravensbruck and had since become a Christian. He sought her forgiveness for the cruel things he had done during his time at the camp.

The Struggle to Forgive

Corrie ten Boom was deeply conflicted. Her sister Betsie had died in that very camp, and the memories of their suffering were still raw. She felt a deep resistance to forgiving this man, who represented the cruelty and pain of her past.However, she knew that forgiveness was not just a feeling but an act of the will. She remembered Jesus' words, "If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:15). With great difficulty, she decided to forgive him.

The Act of Forgiveness

Corrie ten Boom mechanically extended her hand to the former guard, praying silently for God's help. As their hands touched, she felt an unexpected surge of warmth and healing flood through her body. This physical sensation was accompanied by a deep emotional release, and she was able to say with sincerity, "I forgive you, brother!"This act of forgiveness was not just about the guard; it was also about Corrie ten Boom's own healing. By choosing to forgive, she was able to release the burden of her past and find peace.

The Legacy of Forgiveness

Corrie ten Boom's story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of forgiveness. It shows that forgiveness is not always easy or immediate but is a process that requires courage, faith, and a willingness to let go of past hurts. Her experience has inspired countless people around the world to confront their own struggles with forgiveness and to seek healing through the act of forgiving others

Note: readers can send their real story of forgiveness to mail id: ujjwal.sarkar@gmail.com for posting in my blog. 

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