Don't Wrestle, Just Nestle

by Corrie ten Boom

Encourages Christians to trust in God's promises and ability to provide the courage and strength needed to face the future unafraid, asserting that obedience to his will brings peace and security

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction

95 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

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

[Amie Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the cringy title, this book was such a blessing. I love the way Corrie Ten Boom writes. She simply, humbly and firmly encourages and calls us to trust God and lay our fears at His feet. To worry about anything she says is sin. She uses her failures as her examples. I have read many books in recent years where authors use their own successes, and others failings as their illustrations. Corrie instead allows us to see that even after all she endured in concentration camps and then travelling the world to tell her story, she still had much to overcome. Her examples are not beyond us, they are the daily struggles, to which we can all relate. A cold, a bad temper, worry about a trip, fears for our health. Her amusing anecdotes and stories give powerful visual illustrations of God's truths. As an example, when trying to discourage us from taking on the worries of tomorrow, she tells the story of a man who came into the kitchen to help his wife with the dishes (maybe that is partly why I like the story). As he was working alongside her he thought, "If that poor woman could just look ahead and see the dishes that remain to be washed in the future, towering like a mountain ahead of her, she would give up right now! Then he laughed, 'But she only has to wash tonight's dishes, and she can handle that.'" Corrie calls us to have faith for today, for the daily troubles, reminding us that 'the daily problems are the material from which God builds his miracles.' Corries simple faith, her great wisdom and easy to read writing style have made this book a real treasure in my eyes.

[Maria Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this little book at the library today and despite the silly title, I loved it! It felt significant especially going into finals week ♥️


“Maybe the way in which we travel and the attitude we have while making our way through life is more important than reaching our destination. Or could it be that, in God's sight, the way actually is the destination.”


“Yesterday He helped me,
Today He did the same.
How long will this continue?
Forever, praise His name.”


“I took a burden to the Lord
To cast and leave it there.
I knelt and told Him of my plight,
And wrestled deep in prayer.

But rising up to go my way
I felt a deep despair,
For as I tried to trudge along,
My burden was still there!

Why didn't you take my burden, Lord?
Oh, won't you take it, please.
Again I asked the Lord for help,
His answering words were these:

My child, I want to help you out
I long to take your load
I want to bear your burdens too
As you walk along life's road.

But this you must remember,
This one thing you must know…
I cannot take your burden
Until you let it go. “

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are lots of wonderful things packed into this little book. I would recommend reading it as a daily devotional book and digesting it a chapter a day to really experience the inspirational advice given. There are only eleven chapters, but each one is a gem.

[Madeline Grable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre : Christian
My rating: 4.5 stars
Language: Clean!
Age Range: 12 +
Favorite quote (s): "Today is yesterday's tomorrow you worried about, and all is well." - Corrie Ten Boom
"Faith came singing into my room,
and other guests took flight.
Grief, anxiety, fear and gloom,
sped out into the night.

I wondered that such peace could be,
but Faith said gently, 'Don't you see,
that they can never live with me?" - Elizabeth Cheney

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could this woman be any cuter? Corrie ten Boom is a Dutch Holocaust survivor and is the most effective author I've found when it comes to inviting others to Jesus. Her stories are relatable and humorous.

I was turned onto these books from YouTuber, Jamerrill Stewart. I loaded my library cart with as many as I could find. Her most famous title is The Hiding Place about her time in a concentration camp.

Very lighthearted, engaging, and lovable. Highly recommend.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corrie ten Boom survived the horrors of Concentration camps after being arrested for her activities with the Resistance. Her most notable "crime" was hiding Jews in her attic during WW2. After surviving the horrors of Hitler's concentration camps, Corrie spent many years traveling all over the world, sharing her experiences of God's faithfulness through it all. She wrote many books, including this little book of hope and encouragement to turn to God for answers and joy.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this little treasure at a local Goodwill store. Corrie ten Boom was a courageous woman of strong faith who endured persecution and heartache in the concentration camps. This short book is packed with the exciting and sometimes dangerous adventures she experienced while spreading the gospel.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

We can all agree that the title is really, really corny. Come on, Corrie.
Nevertheless, I found this to be encouraging.

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away your ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly a treasure! Now out of print, this dear lady gives very practical advice for dealing with worry, anxiety, and fear with beautifully wrought illustrations from her own life and words of wisdom from her notebooks. I borrowed it, then had to order my own!

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good little book with lots of great Christian advice. I prefer stories, though as a way to get advice. Corrie Ten Boom is a great lady full of faith and great advice for living in the light of Jesus. And I rejoice that she is now celebrating with Jesus!

[Jacolien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een boekje vol wijze lessen over vertrouwen op God in relatie tot onze zorgen, angsten en ons piekeren. Corrie ten Boom spoort ons aan om in alles buiten onszelf te zien en te zien op de hemelse Vader die zelfs alle musjes kent. Zou Hij dan niet voor ons zorgen?

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this little gem years ago, but I needed its message again. So thankful for the testimony of this amazing woman and the rich comforts she's left behind in her books.

[Stephanie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and encouraging. I plan to read this book many more times.

[Shari Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is a treasure!

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant little book that really breaks down what it means to be a Christian. Simple faith based truths that we all forget sometimes, and need to remember.

[Charisse Sallade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing take on facing anxiety and worry as a follower of Jesus. You will find yourself reminded of the goodness of God and his desire to carry your burdens.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful advice

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless, inspiring book speaking biblical truths in a way that people can relate to in regard to worry, anxiety, fear, etc. Corrie’s examples and experiences make you want to keep reading.

[Hendriëtta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems Miss Ten Boom knows what I need to hear every time.

'Er zijn twee dingen waarover we niet moeten tobben: de dingen die we kunnen veranderen (we moeten aan het werk gaan en er iets aan doen) en de dingen die we niet kunnen veranderen (want het helpt niet erover te piekeren). In plaats daarvan moeten we van God de moed en de kracht ontvangen om het onvermijdelijke te aanvaarden, want bij God is niets onmogelijk.'

'Vandaag is het 'morgen' van gisteren waarover jij je zorgen maakte, en alles is goed.'

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought about using a highlighter for all the important parts but I would've had to highlight the whole book. Need to read this again and really study it this time.....I'm still letting it soak in....SO many statements to meditate over for this overanxious and worrying woman. It's so easy to let worry overtake you, but when it's presented as the sin it is (not trusting in God) it's a wake-up call to get busy banishing it from your life.

[Adalee Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this book, although it filled me with shame. So often I wrestle, when I should nestle. This book was a blessing to read, and very interesting.
Sadly, I don’t feel that it helped me out in the nestling process.
I read the book and felt inspired, but that’s as far as it went.
Still, It was very inspiring and I would recommend it.

[Jeske · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don't know. I guess i expected more from someone who has been through so much. I am sorry to say, but she often provided too simple answers to too complex questions or crises.. Some advises were helpful however and i took to heart.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago.

I needed to re-read this today, it addressed several things I have been struggling with lately.

I confess that I have been worrying about my job situation. I just need peace, and to trust the Lord to provide.

[Kandis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful. I love her.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an uplifting book to help Christians conquer their worries and fears.

[Stuti]

I really enjoyed this book. It had some very memorable, noteworthy quotes.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scriptures, quotes, stories about fear and worry. Gotta read this one again. :)

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Corrie--Truth, simple and powerful. Worry is sin. God is trustworthy. "There is only one force more powerful than fear, and that is faith."