I'm from India and I practice judo (a martial art). I'm also a wrestler. I enjoy both of these sports because they require an expression of strength.

But soon after joining these athletic teams, I was frustrated with the feeling that people were often indulging in sexism and favoritism, which was hurting women's chances to succeed in sports. I used to feel very angry whenever I thought I saw partiality toward the men's teams.

Along with that, I was bothered by the fact that male athletes often earn scholarships, while it's not always so easy for women. And I expressed these views bluntly to my coach and friends. As a result of my attitude, my team did not seem to like me. Whenever I would think about this issue, my resentment at this injustice would flare up, and I would get upset.

At that time, I was sharing a room with a girl in guest accommodations near my school. She was a computer professional, and I knew she was a Christian Scientist. Wanting to help me, she told me that I didn't have to have these bad feelings. Instead, she explained it was possible to know more about my relationship with God—and this knowledge would comfort and heal.

My friend gave me a book as a gift. It was Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Upon reading it, I started getting answers to all of my spiritual questions. The idea that God is good and that evil has no power stood out to me the most. After reading the book for about three months, I attended a Sunday service in a Christian Science Society with this friend.

Then while going back home on my scooter, I collided forcefully with a car. I was unconscious, and the person driving the car took me to a hospital. I was injured, and the scooter was also damaged. When my friend found out about it, she came to see me in the hospital. And before visiting me, she had a word with a Christian Science practitioner.

When I left the hospital later that day, the doctors predicted I would be bedridden for the next one and a half months. After hearing this discouraging news, I prayed to know that God was Love and that I was the image of His love. This was the first time I had prayed with these powerful ideas.

During the next few weeks, I tried to replace every negative thought with hope and faith in God's healing power. I reminded myself again and again that God would never punish His daughter and that He loved me unconditionally. I went back to doctors three times within 20 days for dressing of the wounds and removal of stitches. And I was back on my feet in about half the time the doctors had predicted. They were impressed at my ability to walk, but told me that my knee would never be strong enough to allow me to play sports again. I felt discouraged and fearful.

But soon the friend who'd given me Science and Health called up again to invite me to a Wednesday evening testimony meeting—a meeting where people give thanks to God and stand up to verbally share healings. I went, and the peaceful atmosphere at the service impressed me a lot. At this meeting, I talked to the Christian Science practitioner whom my friend had called when she'd heard I'd been in an accident. I asked her many questions about God and got some new ideas. At that point I felt confident I could trust God and that one day I would be able to play sports again.

Then I asked for prayerful help from the practitioner because I wanted to see healing in many areas of my life, as well as complete healing for my leg. Through Christian Science, I had discovered a way where I could find answers to every question, and I was feeling lighter and better about life.

One particular truth from Science and Health stood out to me: "Accidents are unknown to God, or immortal Mind, and we must leave the mortal basis of belief and unite with the one Mind, in order to change the notion of chance to the proper sense of God's unerring direction and thus bring out harmony.

"Under divine Providence there can be no accidents, since there is no room for imperfection in perfection" (p. 424).

These words encouraged me to reject that injury could become an obstruction to my talent in playing judo and wrestling. I thought about the spiritual fact that the accident had not happened in spiritual reality, according to a proper sense of God's protection and care. Because of this understanding, the injury that appeared to have resulted from it could not remain.

After a few months, my name was selected for judo competition at state level. I was excited, but I lacked adequate physical strength and I still sometimes felt pain in my leg. I did not know how I would be able to compete.

Again I discussed this with the practitioner, and she explained to me in beautiful words that we are purely spiritual, and not material. I kept on cherishing this truth continually, and within a few days I was fearless and could use my leg normally. I also prayed to know that God was my strength, and that He gave strength to everyone, impartially. I thought in this way about every player who came to participate.

At the competition, I not only was able to compete, but got third position in the state! I was very happy and expressed gratitude to God. Along with this, when the girls' team was finalized for the next year, I got a scholarship—without even struggling for it.

My journey of blessings did not stop with this healing. The chance to compete in National Games for wrestling came, and I was selected for inter-university wrestling. This time, my coach made me captain—because of the qualities he said he saw in me as a leader. My resentment over sexism and the injustices I saw was replaced with gratitude that God does not have favorites.

Through studying Christian Science and attending church services, I have clearly seen that Father-Mother God is impartial. Now I fully believe that God is always with me. These proofs of healing inspired me to become a member of my local Christian Science Society in Chandigarh and to pray for my community. I am so grateful to God for leading me to Christian Science through meeting my friend.

Now I feel so worthy, and am enjoying my freedom as a daughter of God. css

This article first appeared on www.spirituality.com

In addition to judo and wrestling, Poonam Sharma enjoys painting, singing, and dancing.