In my first year of junior college (JC), I excelled in my studies. Seeing that life was pretty smooth-sailing, I prayed that God would help me to hold on to Him if my boat would one day be shaken.

Now, where else do we read of a boat being shaken?

In Matthew 8:23-27, we read of the disciples’ faith being put to test in a literal storm. But when they witnessed Jesus calm the storm, they had a revelation. They knew then that He was no ordinary man, but a person whom even nature obeyed.

So knowing that a storm would someday test my faith, I began to think about what my faith was anchored in.

Would it be in my circumstances or in God?

I didn’t have to wait long: My grades took a dip when I got to my second year of JC.

I was struggling with my studies. But in the midst of my struggles, I recalled the prayer that I had made to God, for Him to help me hold on to Him in the storm.

I reflected on Matthew 8:25 and remembered that the disciples had fixed their eyes on the storm rather than the truth that Jesus was with them in the boat. Their focus on the wrong thing made them anxious. 

So as I was in the eye of the storm, I wanted to respond in faith. Practically, that meant not neglecting my relationship with God just so that I could spend more time mugging for my exams.

Instead, I sought to keep my eyes fixed on God and rest in the knowledge that He is with me in the storm.

God refined my faith through my second year in JC. He empowered me to respond to my trials with a heart of thanksgiving. Though my grades weren’t good, I recognised that being able to study was a privilege in itself. And for that, I gave thanks. 

We had a church event in that season, where the speaker challenged us to consider what our response would be upon receiving our A-Level results.

• If your grades fail to meet your expectations, would you despair or would you still praise God?
• If your grades turn out better than expected, would you be prideful and claim the glory? Or would you praise God for His grace?

The questions she posed got me thinking. So I decided I would prepare my heart before results day – I wanted to respond to God in a way that glorified Him. 

As I prepared my own heart, I began to sense God asking me this question: “How would you feel if you didn’t do well?” It was a question He used to grow a heart of empathy in me. And because I prepared my heart, I was ultimately able to respond in a manner that honoured God when I received good grades that surpassed my expectations. 

I recalled how much I struggled with my studies in J2. That humbled me to recognise that it was God who provided these results for me, and I avoided becoming self-absorbed in success. 

God works all things for the good of those who love Him.

I rejoiced in my good results, but God also moved me to look out and care for my friends who didn’t received grades that fell short of their expectations. I was able to pray for them, be with them and lend them a listening ear.

Later, I also shared information about available courses that they could apply for based on their grades.

“Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” (Isaiah 26:12)

Throughout my two years in JC, God used Isaiah 26:12 to humble me in the good times and encourage me in the bad, by reminding me that all my abilities come from Him. 

Through it all, I’ve learnt to fix my eyes on God instead of grades. Being anchored in the knowledge that God works all things for the good of those who love Him, I can respond in thanksgiving even when I receive bad grades. 

Indeed, such a wonderful assurance should move us to respond in thanksgiving all the time.