My Life’s Battle

My life started on the night of December 11, 1985. My birth was a very happy occasion for my parents. Everything seemed to be wonderful until I was six months old and started having convulsions—attacks that occurred not once, not twice, but at least five times a day! I was brought to the hospital and multiple tests were performed. Even with tests on my blood, my heart, and the different organs in my body, the doctors could not determine why I was having the convulsions.

The doctor told my parents that every time I experienced a convulsion my brain was being denied oxygen—a dangerous situation. So he prescribed Phenobarbital—a barbiturate drug—to prevent the convulsions. It was believed that this drug would lessen my convulsion attacks but there was also a possibility that the drug would have a lifelong negative effect on my brain. The main concern of my doctor at that time was to stop the attacks and to keep me alive.

I took the medication for three days before my parents—through many prayers and counseling—made the difficult decision to take me off the medication and put me in God’s hands. The doctor disagreed with their decision since it was his belief that I would die within 24 hours of being taken off the medication.

This was a difficult time for my Mom and Dad but they also knew that there is a much more powerful Being who could intervene. They signed a waiver stating that it was their own decision to stop the medication and after that, they brought me home.

With prayers and fasting and with tears in their eyes, they appealed to our Almighty God. They told God that they were very thankful that He had given them a daughter after the death of their first son. They also told Him that if He wanted to take me from them, then they were willing to give me back to my Creator. Even so, they pleaded for Him to heal me instead.

Twenty-four agonizing hours passed and I was still alive! At this point, my parents believed that God had already answered their prayers. My convulsion attacks left me completely. Neither the drug that I took nor the lack of oxygen to my brain from previous convulsions caused any permanent damage. I’ve lived a happy and a normal life because of the love and mercy of our Almighty God.

I’ve shared this story of my life because my parents and I were deeply inspired by God’s intervention. While others may make different medical decisions under similar circumstances, the point is that God does hear and answer prayers.

I’m thankful for my life and for my parents who taught me to fear God and live His way of life. God also gave me fine brothers and wonderful friends! Most of all, He called me into His Church and gave me the priceless opportunity to be a part of His future Family!

Many, if not all of us, have our own stories to tell about the trials and tests that we have experienced in our Christian lives that really tried our faith. God promised us in the Holy Bible that He will not give us trials that we cannot handle. We need to entrust our lives to Him and believe that He knows what is best in every situation. Let us allow God be the Captain of our lives.

The next time you face a trial that seems insurmountable, remember to humbly ask our Heavenly Father for help. He is more than willing to help us fight and eventually win our life’s battles!

Audrey Ruth, 23, will be finishing up her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree in March this year.

Recommended Reading: To learn how to increase your faith in God, be sure to read, download, or request your free copy of the booklet, You Can Have Living Faith.