In The Arena

by Isobel Kuhn

In the Arena continues the story of Isobel Kuhn, begun in bestselling "By Searching." The title refers to the biblical idea that the Christian is on display, like someone condemned to die in the arena. Isobel was convinced that the trials of her life as a missionary were "arena experiences" which God used not to punish her but to reveal Himself. As she looked back on her life when dying of cancer, she felt that her most valuable lessons had been learned during times of trial.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Autobiography, Historical, Biography Memoir

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

In Finnish:
Isobel Kuhn (1901-1957) teki elämäntyönsä pääosin Lisu-heimon parissa Kiinan ja Burman raja-alueilla sekä Thaimaan pohjoisosassa. AREENALLA on persoonallinen kuvaus haastavasta työstä ja Jumalan johdatuksesta vaikeuksien keskellä. Elävästi kirjoitettu ETSIMÄSSÄ kertoo lähetystyötä edeltävästä ajasta, kun kristityn kodin kasvatti sanoutui irti lapsuusajan opetuksista, ryhtyi agnostikoksi ja yritti täyttää elämänsä tanssimisella, teatterilla ja seurustelulla. Sisäisen tyhjyyden kokeminen sai Isobelin kysymään Jumalan olemassaoloa ja etsimään todellista suhdetta Häneen. Jumala osoitti itsensä todeksi ja johti Isobelin "sumuisilta tasangoilta" siunatuille vuoripoluille - hän sai evankelistan kutsumuksen, kävi Moodyn perustaman raamattukoulun, ja lopulta - sille areenalle, missä hän sai olla todistamassa Jumalan tekoja Lisu-kansan parissa.

Reviews

[Dan Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you need encouragement in Christ and the work of His kingdom? This intimate auto-biography shows how the Lord uses the fellowship of suffering to perfect His character in His own children, and to make His name known.
A servant is not above his master; but the Master tenderly cares for His sheep and uses them to display His glory. We are more than conquerors through Him. Read and be blessed and strengthened!

[Susie]

Another excellent missionary biography that has left me wanting to read all of her books. The personal reflections teach a lot of life-changing truths about the faithfulness of God and the importance of waiting for His leadership in every step of our way. The answer is not to hurry but to wait to make sure we have clear direction from Him about what He would have us to do in the situation.

[Donna Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

A great book . I so enjoyed how Isobel shared God's gifts of care. I a!says see Him meeting my needs. I thought often though that maybe I was imagining it. How I know, He is ALWAYS on time!!!

[Beth Sherwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! The title refers to "platforms" God brings you to--trying circumstances that He can use to show you and others His glory. This book is a practical help as you see how God met her needs and apply that to your own situation.

[Jody Shee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great missionary biography. It's about the challenges Isobel Kuhn had in getting to the mission field and working there in China. I loved every word of it. She gives lessons learned along the way, and her main point is "God taught me through the years to view my own trials as platforms in today's Arena." It's an idea she later discovered famous missionary Hudson Taylor also had. He said "Difficulties afford a platform upon which He can show Himself. Without them, we could never know how tender, faithful, and almighty our God is."

[Rachel L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Lots of different lessons from different periods of life; this is one to come back to.

[Lisa Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm inclined to give it even 5 stars, but maybe it is because of where I was at in my own life when I read it. I'll have to re-read it and see what I think now....

[Cheyenne Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐
Required reading is good for me because it makes me read books I wouldn't normally read. To be honest this did feel like a little bit of a drag to get through. The writing style is just older and not my favorite. But there was so much truth in it and it challenged me in a lot of ways. It's always encouraging to read about women of faith from the past

"When any child of God decides to step out in absolute obedience to the will of God, there will be a frantic effort by the powers of darkness to block him. Obstacles will spring up to hinder and discourage that one. The possibility of obedience will seem more and more hopeless. When things are the blackest and most discouraging is the very time not to give up."

[Shorel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When any child of God decides to step out in absolute obedience to the will of God, there will be a frantic effort by the powers of darkness to block him. Obstacles will spring up to hinder and discourage that one. The possibility of obedience will seem more and more hopeless. When things are the blackest and most discouraging is the very time not to give up...He may seem to be delayed, but He will not be too late for the expectant soul waiting in active faith."

"The flesh loves excitement. It is always ready to jump up and run somewhere! It pushes and hurries us into action. The Holy Spirit does not. He is from the God of peace and His directions are always on time. Wait."

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

I loved this book. This book is about Isobel Kühn describing difficult situations in her life. The storms she went through as a missionary, as a wife, as a mom, a student and a friend.

One of the things that touched me the most is how in every situation, even if she wanted to flee, she stayed in the place God put her. She trusted in God rather than fleeing difficult and dangerous situations. She believed that He would provide and protect her.

It's beautiful to realise how God worked through her and how my heart opened up more to missions and my relationship with God again through this older book.

[Joan Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A missionary story written by Isobel Kuhn who served in China with her husband for many years. A detailed account of the challenges that they faced over time, which included the necessity of their 2 children being sent to the US to live with friends due to the danger which they faced daily. She was a very brave woman.

[Ashley Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A goal is to read more stories of missionaries and hers was a great start! 3 stars because it was hard to follow and continually jumped all over the place. At times the writing was a little dry which made it difficult to stay engaged.

[Christa Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love biographies, so it's a given that I enjoyed this. I wasn't as enthralled as in By Searching, but I loved reading more about this fascinating woman's life.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

gloub o uf Dütsch gläse... "In der Arena"

[Olatomi Afilaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life of devotion right to the very end

[Bro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book on the life of a missionary who gave their life to God with no money in their pocket and God provided the way through Seminary and then to Southern China! It was not a life of ease or money falling from the sky, but it was a journey of faith. This book taught me some great principals that God will use us if we are willing to surrender to Him. The writer said we move too quickly without direction and don't stay until God opens the next opportunity and that causes many of our mistakes. This book was exciting and hard to put down for me. I look forward to reading others. I hope every believer will read this book and challenge their teens to read it and consider the life that God would have over the one you have planned. Maybe things won't be rosy, but they will be good in a way you never thought possiable! Live His dream and yours will come true!

[Esther Louw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very encouraging personal account of CIM missionary Isabel Kuhn. Using the concept of an Arena as a place for display and public view, the author compares the small problems and trials of life as a platform to demonstrate the power of Christ working in and forming our character.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read and interesting look at some of the challenges faced by Isobel during her life as a missionary. Once again, I have walked away with a couple of nuggets that have challenged me and rocked my world a bit. Highly recommend.

[Linn Beall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Isobel Kuhn went through so much but really tells it like it is. She doesn't glorify herself and lets us see what missionary life is really like with the good and the bad and the ugly. I so appreciate her honesty. It is hard to believe all they went through during the war years.

[Brian Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a humble missionary servant Isobel Kuhn was. If you like stories of missionaries on the spiritual battlefield, read this book. You might just be inspired to become a missionary.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

During her lifetime
Periods were difficult
The Lord brought her through

Missionary life
Was not always easy, but
Always rewarding

[Elaine Mazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues the story of Isobel Kuhn and her life as a missionary. I was really encouraged to see her trust in the Lord during some hard circumstances.

[Nadiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I loved this book! I especially liked how the stories trace her growing faith in and dependence on God alone. Some of the things that God did for them were truly wonderful!