I wish the answer to this question was simple! So many girls email have expressed the same feelings of stress, the weight of others’ expectations, uncertainty about the future, and just being overwhelmed with life.

First, good for you for sticking with your honors classes! That’s not easy, and no matter what grades you end up with, you have to be proud of yourself for working so hard.

My husband, Paco, was a middle school teacher for a few years at a private school. He explained something to me that I hadn’t considered before, but it makes a lot of sense. When you think about the whole grading system, an A is suppose to be “excellent,” a B is “above average,” and a C is average. So logically, in a class of 30 students, there should be mostly C’s, a handful of B’s, and only a couple A’s. Takes a little pressure off, huh? Here’s my point: If you’re working hard and still get a C in a class, that’s 100 percent okay! Don’t let your worth be determined by a letter grade.

I don’t know your parents, but I hope they would agree that there is more to life than school. I would hate for you to miss out of the fun of your teenage years because you were too worried about “making the grade.”  I understand your desire to get into a good college. But I’m pretty sure the God of the universe is capable of opening whatever doors He wants open in your life. So do your personal best in class, but don’t let academics become your god. Once again, there is more to life than school! 

For the record, most of the verses I found about “working hard” in the Bible have nothing to do with academics. They instruct us to work hard at preaching the gospel, at bringing others the Good News of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:15 (New Living Translation)
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

Now that’s worth losing sleep over!

Love,