I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.

Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment.

Philippians 1:12-17

The apostle Paul used his chains - his imprisonment - to advance the gospel. It wasn't that he enjoyed being incarcerated, but he knew it could be turned to good purposes. Is there a loss in your life that God can use?

God can transform a tragedy into a triumph.

Our Daily Bread - June 6, 2004