He Cares, He Comforts: In Sickness and In Health

by Corrie ten Boom

Corrie ten Boom shares biblical passages and personal experiences to offer comfort and hope to the afflicted and those who have suffered from poor health.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Spirituality

95 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1977

About the author

Corrie ten Boom and her family were Christians who were active in social work in their home town of Haarlem, the Netherlands. During the Nazi occupation, they chose to act out their faith through peaceful resistance to the Nazis by active participation in the Dutch underground. They were hiding, feeding and transporting Jews and underground members hunted by the Gestapo out of the country. It is estimated they were able to save the lives of 800 Jews, in addition to protecting underground workers.

On Feb. 28, 1944, they were betrayed and Corrie and several relatives were arrested. The four Jews and two underground workers in the house at the time of the arrest were not located by the Nazis and were extricated by the underground 47 hours after they fled to the tiny hiding place (located in Corrie's room).

The ten Boom family members were separated and transferred to concentration camps. Corrie was allowed to stay with her precious sister, Betsy. Corrie's father (Casper), her sister (Betsy) and one grandchild (Kik) perished. Corrie was released in December of 1944.

These acts of heroism and sacrifice became the foundation for Corrie ten Boom's global writing and speaking career which began after she was released.

Ten Boom has received numerous awards for her writing and speaking. Notably, she was honored by the State of Israel for her work in aid of the Jewish people by being invited to plant a tree in the famous Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles, at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, near Jerusalem. She was also knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands in recognition of her work during the war, and a museum in the Dutch city of Haarlem is dedicated to her and her family.

Reviews

[Judith Brans - Donker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always encouraging to read the books of Corrie ten Boom. It’s beautiful to see how God worked through her. I love how her words show how humble, kind and pure she was. I love how she explains the Gospel so simply to a child, teenager and adult.

It’s an encouraging book to read to spread the Gospel and to not lean on our own understanding. To trust in Him in every storm, knowing He will lead us to a better place.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this book to church to share with my study group and we all read it over the past several weeks. Everyone who read it was moved by Corrie's faith, inner-strength and wisdom.

I've passed this book along to a lady at church who is helping with end of life care for her beloved sister. May she find comfort and peace between these pages and in her own strong faith in God.

[Nelda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a library book sale because of the author. I had read her Hiding Place twice, a book about faith, perseverance, and survival. It was an amazing story of her family hiding Jews in their home and then suffering the consequences in concentration camps and the cruelty at the hands of the Nazis. Anyway, this book, as the title suggests, offers the caring and comfort of Jesus, through mini stories gleaned from Corrie's ongoing mission to bring Christ to those who are ill, grieving, dying, etc. I don't know. The comfort she offers through Christ is almost too pat and easy, just accept Jesus into your heart and all will be well. I think the Bible refutes this as even Christ said in Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

The chapter on the mentally delayed child Toontje defied belief and sense for me. He dies after being enrapt at a sermon on God's love. The preacher finds him dead at his home the following day and believes "that Toontje tried to get too much of God's love into his heart, so that his heart just broke with joy." The book is full of the almost miraculous healing of the heart and soul, of which I was skeptical. Still, it's full of lovely stories and Corrie's caring, an example we should all take into our hearts. I liked the list of comforting scriptures at the back of the book and the following quote:
Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength--carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow--it empties today of its strength" (83, chapter 20).

[Charisse Sallade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A conversation on death and dying, drawing on experiences from Corrie’s life. This is a challenging read as it addresses issues of grief.

Note: Corrie uses the language of her day which includes terminology that could be considered offensive now (i.e. in reference to mental disorders and handicaps)

[Lydia Gunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very encouraging book. Even for someone who is not facing death it is a simple reminder to trust the Lord in everything because He is good in everything.

[Belinda Danini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Corrie writes is inspirational and this short book delivers

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In sickness and in health is the byline. Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a series of short but very good devotionals revolving mostly around death.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has 23 little vignettes, each two or three pages long, intended to offer comfort to people going through stressful times. Most are personal anecdotes recounting occasions when the author herself was able to offer advice to help someone gain the strength to go on.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Quite a few of the accounts were simplistic, even seeming patronising at times. I’m sure they weren’t intended that way, and that they did help the people concerned. But each person has different needs. A story that might bring immense hope to one person might bring another to despair.

There were a handful of the stories that I found thought-provoking, and I can see that for some people this book might provide a lifeline; particularly if they are asking questions about the Christian faith and want some reassurance and guidance.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book for anyone facing death or serious illness

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book and would be especially helpful to anyone who is ill or facing death or related to someone in either of the above situations.