Fellow friends who are awaiting A-Level results, the dreaded end-February date has arrived.

To tell you the truth, even as I write this, I am still fearful. I am afraid of failing my own expectations. I am fearful of answering to those around me, of what a piece of paper will decide of my future.

In all that time, what I’ve learnt is this: I am really only able to find peace in Jesus. There are also a few truths that I’ve been holding closely to throughout this post-As waiting game which have helped to comfort me amidst these anxious days, which I’m sharing below. 

1. My identity is found in God, not in my results

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1)

When you’re meeting someone new for the first time, what do you introduce yourself as?

Throughout my two years in Junior College (JC), my descriptions of myself typically included my name, my class, my CCA, and perhaps even my hobbies – things I took pride in and things I derived my identity from.  

But that’s not how God sees us – He sees us as His children and members of His household.

With the immense pressure that the Singapore education system places on its students, it can be easy for us to get caught up with our grades and to associate our worth to the numbers and letters on our results slip. 

I dream of the feeling of doing well and scoring that perfect 90RP as much as the next person does. But I also know that, ultimately, these alphabets and numbers do not define me. My identity is found in Christ.

I’ve already worked as hard as I can – whatever score I get will not change how God views me.

2. Put God first, He’ll handle the rest

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) 

In Matthew 6, we read Jesus’ words that we are not to be anxious or worried about our earthly needs. Instead, trusting that the Lord knows our needs and will provide, our top priority should be honouring God.

Put God first and He will take care of the rest – whatever the results may look like.

3. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and heals them

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:18-19) 

Honestly, I really don’t expect to do exceedingly well. I really don’t think I’ll perform outstandingly. 

I’ve told so many people around me that regardless of my results, I will definitely cry – either out of joy or sadness.

But regardless of whether the results are good or bad, I hope I can thank and praise the Lord for His grace that has seen me through my JC years.

In the event that I really do perform poorly, I know the Lord will be with me through my sadness. I know He will continue to reveal to me His will for my life and the path I should take going forward.

In Psalm 147:3, the Lord promises to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. Praise God that He heals us and comforts us in our sorrow!

4. God is good; everything will be alright

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Everything works for the good of those who love God. Suffering or success – God can use it all for our good and for His glory.

Suffering or success – God can use it all for our good and for His glory.

Upon receiving my O-Level results two years ago, I remember how disappointed I was when I realised I wouldn’t be able to attend my dream JC.

I was crushed in that moment, but I didn’t know that God would turn my “setback” into a blessing. This other JC I attended turned out to be conducive for my growth, filled with teachers and friends who helped to shape who I’ve become. 

I don’t know if my dream JC would have been just as fulfilling, but I can say with conviction that the JC that God led me to was undeniably the right one for me.

If you’re collecting results today, I wish you all the best.

I pray that God’s strength and courage will be upon us as we collect our results. I hope that as daunting as today may be, we remember that the number of rank points we get says nothing about our worth in the eyes of Jesus.