In The Arena

The things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.

Philippians 1:12

Missionary Isobel Kuhn wrote a book entitled In the Arena, in which she described great difficulties she had faced, showing how each had become an arena in which her influence for Christ was magnified.

After they were thrown into the fiery furnace, the three Hebrews in Daniel 3 were promoted, and their reputation was enhanced. It was his imprisonment that allowed Paul to evangelize Rome’s Praetorian Guard and that spurred the early church to action.

It was after Charles Colson had served time in a federal penitentiary for his role in the Watergate scandal that he became a prominent spokesman for the faith, establishing an effective ministry to men and women in prisons across America.

It was after his arm was amputated from cancer that the world began listening to the testimony of baseball player Dave Dravecky.

It was after months of uncertain captivity by the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan that Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer emerged to tell their stories and glorify God for His deliverance.

Are you in a season of suffering? God will use it to magnify your influence for Him. Trust Him, and be faithful.