As a hard-working student, you may experience self-doubt, insecurity, and fear when you experience setbacks and failures. However, God wants you to see yourself the way He does — capable and able to overcome hard things!
The story of Esther
Queen Esther courageously goes before King Ahasuerus.
In the Old Testament, Esther, a Jewish woman chosen as King Ahasuerus' wife, faced a life-threatening situation when Haman, the king's servant, plotted to kill all Jews. Esther risked her life by revealing her Jewish identity to the king. With God's help, her courage softened the king's heart and her people were saved. Despite likely failure, she still believed in her abilities with God on her side. God helped Esther exhibit her strength, even if she might not have seen that strength in herself.
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Despite your worries, God always sees your divine identity.
Just like Esther, while striving to get your education, you may experience uncertainty, worry that God is absent, or fear that you won't be able to accomplish your goals — but that isn’t the case! God wants you to keep going! He knows you are strong enough to overcome adversity. He knows how valuable you are and wants you to see that same value in yourself.
In the story of Esther, she was told, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
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There is a reason for your passions, goals, and righteous desires, and there is a reason you joined BYU-Pathway Worldwide at this time. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be.”
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When you experience self-doubt, remember that God has a wise purpose for each of us and wants us to become our best selves.
You can do great things
Jesus Christ can help you overcome anything.
On your journey in life, you may hit stumbling blocks. Esther wanted to save her people, but she didn’t know if she had the power to do anything significant to help, and felt she’d likely be put to death for trying. Despite this worry, she did her best to be brave.
You can also push through setbacks like fear, failure, or self-doubt, and pursue your goals. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “You have not failed until you quit trying.”
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As you continue on your educational journey, remember that every stumbling block can be overcome with the help of Heavenly Father. Overcoming stumbling blocks often leads to the greatest successes, joys, and blessings, and you can become stronger as you push through them.
Believe in yourself as God does
God believes you can be successful. Strive to see the value in yourself as He does! Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.”
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Jeffery R. Holland, “Behold Thy Mother,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 47
Remember your purpose and the value you bring to everyone around you. You can do this!
