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I am shocked, anxious, and disappointed in myself because I did not do well enough on my final exam in one class by just point and the teacher refused to round up. This will cause me to lose my status of having a perfect GPA. Therefore, I cannot attend the ceremonies that recognize students with perfect GPAs with my peers that I attended in the past. I am struggling to see how this is a good thing at all. It seems everything would have been much better if I had just got the extra point. I would not be worried, and my parents would not be disappointed in me.

A: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6). You are a very intelligent, ambitious, and capable. The more you strive at this academic perfection, the more anxious you will become because at some juncture, as it happened now, you may be second or third, etc. That does not mean to be careless, but rather be emotionally equipped to deal with setbacks. You must learn to put things in perspective, always thankful to God for every opportunity, not only the greatest achievements. Let this be a life lesson. Rejoice with your peers that achieved this milestone and do not be taken hostage by petty jealousies or envy or faint-heartedness. Perhaps this status that you desire is puffing you up, but God wants you to be humble. Therefore, do not look at this experience in a negative way. You still achieved a wonderful grade, and there are many things for which to be thankful and content.

In every account of the Holy Scripture, we learn about the people's struggles and God's presence to help them endure and give them joy and peace during their hardships, imprisonment, illnesses, exile, persecutions, oppression, and so many other examples. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world are suffering and persecuted. Many do not have equal access and sometimes no access at all to an education. You are one point away from a perfect score, but you still cannot enjoy your incredible high achievements. Why should another student have more setbacks than you? The handkerchiefs on St. Paul's body healed many, but not himself. Three times St. Paul not only asked, but pleaded with the Lord to heal him, but He did not. Rather, He gave him an understanding that exceeded the physical healing, preserved his humility, and gave him a victorious spirit and a grateful heart. You are focusing on the little that you did not have and overlooking all the you have been graciously given. A thankful heart is necessary to achieve inner peace, a strong relationship with God, and meaningful success. His grace is sufficient for you and for all of us, His children.

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).