My Faith is My Anchor

A.S. Rao Nagar Ward, Hyderabad India Stake

Author portrait

I grew up learning about Jesus Christ and the principle of faith. After marriage, I could not go to church nor teach my children about Jesus Christ. During these times, I did not cease to say my silent prayers and have faith that we would go to church one day as a family, just like in my childhood days. In the year 2004, my husband passed away, and it was for the first time that same year we met the missionaries. I felt like Heavenly Father knew the time we needed to hear about the true gospel. My prayers were answered, and my heart was filled with gratitude. My three children and I accepted the gospel and were baptised. Our lives changed; my son served a mission, and my daughter married a returned missionary and is sealed for time and eternity in the temple. I was able to go to the temple in 2008. These things happened as I exercised faith in the Lord.

Even though life was challenging, I did not lose hope and always trusted the Lord. I never thought that I would go through a test of my faith that would change my life. In 2014 my left leg had to be amputated above the knee because of my health condition. It was difficult for my family and me. However, I did not give up. I knew that everything was part of God’s plan for me. I was able to get this strength because of the knowledge of the gospel. The time I thought I was getting over this pain, in 2016, the infection spread to my right leg, and it had to be amputated below the knee. It was hard for my family and me. I was worried that it would be difficult for us to exercise faith in the Lord and accept His will. I was scared to realise that I would never be able to walk again and needed help for the rest of my life. Prayers and priesthood blessings gave me comfort and peace. I remembered one scripture from the Book of Mormon, “it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”[1]

I knew that my faith should not waver because I built the foundation on Jesus Christ. I needed to exercise faith so that my family also can be strong. I am grateful that the Lord is protecting me. Later on, my entire family was affected by COVID; I felt the Lord was always testing my faith. We all prayed, and it was not very serious like the ones I heard from others. It was a blessing for us. I am grateful to the Lord for the loving family he blessed me with, they don’t give up on me, and they always support me.

Heavenly Father plans to help me gain experience in this life and make choices that will help me to return to Him. Whenever I face a challenge, I am given an opportunity to prove myself to the Lord, I am becoming better, and I can exercise faith in His will.

Prophet Alma taught about the prayer of the prophet Zenos, “And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.”[2] I feel joy every day in my affliction because of Christ. I do know that I will receive a perfect body one day. I know that because of my faith in Jesus Christ, I can overcome my fear and receive strength. I will receive blessings in the Lord’s timing as I keep the commandments.

I go to church in a wheelchair, and I pray for strength so that I can attend all the classes. I am grateful to be learning each week. My testimony strengthens as I hear from others. I feel the spirit and peace as I partake in the sacrament each week and renew the covenants I made. I feel His grace and mercy are upon me all the time. I believe that I still have God’s work to do here on earth.