In times of deepening political strife, Etty Hillesum found God. She found this spirit inside of her that protected her mind and heart, and helped her filter out despair she could have easily succumbed to. Etty looked for God in nature, found peace in companionship and caring for her fellow man, and turned to prayer, connecting with God deep in herself. This personal journey undertaken in her diaries helped her find an inner peace to deal with uncertainty and violence, and to face her future with strength; her faith-finding process serves a map to find the strength to deal with difficult times for anyone, especially in changing political landscapes.
Etty saw the natural world as beautiful despite the destruction and humiliation she felt and …show more content…
She finds comfort in Julius Spier, who introduces her to Christian theology and starts her on her journey to find God (Hillesum, 200). She finds God in her refusal to hate others, like the entirety of the German people; she refuses to fully hate, fully give over to complete despair because “personal hatred usually means little more than using passing incidents as excuse for keeping alive personal hurts, perhaps suffered years ago (Hillesum, 130).” She mentions political actions and restrictions placed on Jews in Amsterdam and Europe in her diary, but seems to largely steer clear of recording conversations about the political situation. “These discussions are hardly ever concerned with real politics…on the contrary, everything looks so clear cut and ugly, which is why it is so unpleasant to discuss politics in the present climate (Hillesum, 13)”. By refusing to give too much voice to dark thoughts, she opens herself up to deep empathy for others, focusing on the humanity rather that the political, “I love people so terribly, because in every human being I love something of You (Hillesum, 198).” She refused the possibilities of escape, and hiding, and even worked at Westerbork to assist in what ways she could. “Have I really made so much progress that I can say, with complete honesty, I hope they will send me to a labor camp so that I can do something for the sixteen-year-old-girls who will also be going? (Hillesum, 171).” She had long accepted her fate, but wanted to care for others out of love and a growing faith. Her last hopes, written at the end of her diary, “We should be willing to act as a balm for all wounds (Hillesum, 231),” were her goals for her life in relationship with
Etty saw the natural world as beautiful despite the destruction and humiliation she felt and …show more content…
She finds comfort in Julius Spier, who introduces her to Christian theology and starts her on her journey to find God (Hillesum, 200). She finds God in her refusal to hate others, like the entirety of the German people; she refuses to fully hate, fully give over to complete despair because “personal hatred usually means little more than using passing incidents as excuse for keeping alive personal hurts, perhaps suffered years ago (Hillesum, 130).” She mentions political actions and restrictions placed on Jews in Amsterdam and Europe in her diary, but seems to largely steer clear of recording conversations about the political situation. “These discussions are hardly ever concerned with real politics…on the contrary, everything looks so clear cut and ugly, which is why it is so unpleasant to discuss politics in the present climate (Hillesum, 13)”. By refusing to give too much voice to dark thoughts, she opens herself up to deep empathy for others, focusing on the humanity rather that the political, “I love people so terribly, because in every human being I love something of You (Hillesum, 198).” She refused the possibilities of escape, and hiding, and even worked at Westerbork to assist in what ways she could. “Have I really made so much progress that I can say, with complete honesty, I hope they will send me to a labor camp so that I can do something for the sixteen-year-old-girls who will also be going? (Hillesum, 171).” She had long accepted her fate, but wanted to care for others out of love and a growing faith. Her last hopes, written at the end of her diary, “We should be willing to act as a balm for all wounds (Hillesum, 231),” were her goals for her life in relationship with