Education is something that we value greatly because it is our ticket to a brighter future. We try hard to produce positive results at any challenge we go through. Learning is definitely important, but it is not easy for some individuals such as myself.  I have a hard time completing my academic responsibilities because of all the activities, stress and exhaustion that comes with academic life. Luckily, I managed to find someone who can help me in my predicament and times of need.  You can call him as a “study buddy” if you will.

For me, a study buddy is someone who can help you answer the hardest questions you’re faced with or someone who can encourage you to do something that seemed difficult at first. Everyone can find one if they look really hard. After doing my own searching, I’ve found mine and it’s none other than our lord and savior, God. Believe it or not, turning to God has helped me a lot in my studies and I consider him as the best study buddy that I’ve been with. However, I’m not asking God to help me in the way you might be thinking such as the answer to question #14 at my science exam. No, nothing like that.

Not to brag, but I’m doing pretty well in college. It’s just that I’m having problems with other things that are much more personal. I remember last year when I entered college and I was already plagued with various questions such as, can I do it? Will I be able to comply with every assignment or paperwork my teacher gives me? Am I good enough? These questions can really dishearten any person which is why I tried talking to my friends. I received a lot of advice which was good and positive, but sadly, it’s not what I was looking for. I’m grateful that they took the time to listen to me and gave me helpful suggestions. However, I was still lost and didn’t know what to do.

It all changed after I made a call at home. At the time of the call, I was also homesick. Luckily, my uncle, who is a pastor, decided to pay a visit on my parent’s house. He is one of my relatives from whom I have sought guidance in the past. When I told him about my predicament, he simply asked me why would I not turn to God for answers? He said that God will be able to give me the answers I’m looking for. Before passing the phone onto my parents, he gave me a few phrases to read on the bible. I can definitely say that it helped because I felt relieved and enlightened after reading some of it. Although I may not be able to remember the exact wording of the scriptures, I took each verse to heart. Here are those phrases.

• “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,  and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
• “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
• “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
• “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

Through these verses, I was able to overcome my doubts which has enabled me to excel not only in academics, but spiritually and emotionally as well. Like I said earlier, A study buddy is someone who will be able to help you if ever you’re stuck with a problem that you can’t solve on your own and God has been able to help me when I was buried with self-doubts. So if you’re going through the same thing I did, why not consider God to become your study buddy? I guarantee that you wouldn’t regret it.