2021 Transformation Magazine

I had to overcome most of the challenges I've
faced, especially during the pandemic when my
mother got sick. By Praying consistently, having
willpower, and being self-aware, I was able to
make the right decisions. Setting reasonable goals
for myselfhelps me to improve continuously.
My God has made a difference in my life whenever
I'm about to think, say or do something that
displeases God, like the time I had the chance to
sin, God stopped me and made me think twice
aboutwhat would come next. The Bible says in
Proverbs 28:13 that I gain nothing for my poor
decisions and wrong actions. The Book of Proverbs
also says people whoconceal their sins will not
prosper, but they will receive mercy if they
confessand turn from them.
Whenever I was going to take an exam, I called on
the Lord. I put my trust in Him. I know no
matterhow hard I study, I can't do it alone. When I
do somethingfor the first time or when I'm about to
take a big step in life, I put my faith in him because
having faith in God conquersfear every time.
Whenever I do something exceptional, and
there'sno one around to see my accomplishments, I
praise Him anyway becauseI know the fact that I
was able to score that goal or perform a task
wasn'tmy doing; it was the Lord. So, I say thank
you, Lord!
Because of God, I was able to earn my
gradesmoderately during the pandemic. I didn't
cheatto acquire my exam scores.During the
pandemic, I prayed, and the Lord answered me. He
grantedme the focus I neededto complete my
schoolwork while applying for colleges. Even in the
pandemic, God taught me that there is still always
hope, even in the most desperate times.I learned to
approach thingsoptimistically. Through faith,I was
able to graduateand be accepted into a good
college!
When tempted to do things I knew was wrong, but
every time I had the urge to sin (anything that I did
that displeased God in any way), I would pick up
myBible and read Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the
substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of
things not seen.", my favorite scripture. It reminds
me that by sinning, Iwouldget farther fromGod but
by avoiding temptations, I would get closer to God
because Iknew I was doing the right thing.
Lastly, God played a very significant role in my life
because just before the pandemic began. My family
experienced financial hardship. We received lots of
love and support from friends and family who
wereblessing us. We were provided with meals
every single day until we could get back on our
feet. God has kept my family, and through the
actions of so many others that we have
touched,they reciprocated and gave back in such a
huge way that I know it was the Lord.
There's a gospel song by Wess Morgan that
describes how all the support mademe feel perfect,
and one of the lyrics is "I just can't thank you
enough." It's so true. When I was at my lowest
points mentally and emotionally, God stepped in
and changed my entire perspective of reality,
andshowed me that everything would be alright. As
a GACCS Burgess Scholarship recipient, I plan to
invest it in my higher education so from there, I can
go out into the world and make apositive difference
"I CALLED ON
THE LORD. I PUT
MY TRUST IN
HIM"
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