Corrie complained to her sister, Betsy, (who died while they were in Ravensbuck Nazi prison) that she couldn’t tolerate the lice, filthy blankets and mattresses.  Betsy reminded her that their father had taught them to be thankful for everything, even lice. 

Corrie had a hard time trying to be thankful for lice, until she realized that there really was a blessing in disguise in it.  The women guards and officers knew of the infestation of lice in their cells, so they kept their distance to avoid becoming infested themselves.

The blessing to be thankful for was that they could have their Bible studies without fear because they would be left alone with their lice and filth!  It wasn’t hard after that for Corrie to be thankful for lice! 

Paul admonished the church at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22) to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, to not extinguish the Spirit, accept and not despise prophecies, test everything and avoid evil.  Then he included an astonishing doctrine: “In everything, give thanks.”  All the other doctrines he gave them made sense, but to give thanks in everything?  That was a tough one—until you understand that he said IN everything, not FOR everything.

Not every louse-plague can give us an occasion to be thankful FOR it as Corrie and Betsy were, but we can be thankful IN it.

Every experience can have a positive effect on us, if we remember to give thanks throughout its duration, knowing that God is faithful and will bring something good for us and glory for Him out of it.  While we are scratching the irritation of the lice infestation and complaining, we could be “rejoicing always” while waiting for God to use it for our maturity and sanctification.

If we only give thanks when everything is coming up roses, there will be few times of praise and they will be far apart.  Have you noticed the beautiful rose is growing on a thorny stem?  Have you also noticed that its aroma is intensified when crushed?  Its real essence is discovered when it is bruised.

A beautiful Rose was crushed at Calvary, and His aroma has spread throughout the entire world and wafted through the corridors of heaven. 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, Therefore we will not fear…”

Psalm 46:1-2

We rejoice because of joy.

We have joy because it is fruit of the Spirit which indwells us.  We can’t always be happy, because happiness depends on what is happening to us.  But we can be joyful even with the irritation of “lice” because it comes from within our spirit and is not dependent on a happening.

Paul was not giving commands that the Thessalonians could not obey.  He knew how to “abound” (overflow with abundant joy); he was content if he had plenty or if he had nothing.  He spoke from first-hand knowledge  and experience that the indwelling joy emerged even in the midst of an outbreak of “lice,” and it was not to hinder their rejoicing—always, in everything.

When Satan leaves you with an infestation of “lice” that disrupts your life, “REJOICE ALWAYS.”  Draw joy from the well of your spirit that the Holy Spirit has infused you with.  God will use it to your advantage and His glory.