How pouring out your soul to God could change your entire academic experience
Arthur Pedro from Brazil started BYU-Pathway Worldwide with a worry in his heart:
“I remember my first gathering; I was completely nervous to speak English. I thought I wouldn’t be able to communicate.”
Maybe you’ve felt similar fears to Arthur’s. You’re not alone!
In moments of fear
The Book of Mormon offers a simple way to find peace when uncertainty feels overwhelming. After a difficult battle, 2,000 young warriors learned another army was waiting for them, one so large they couldn’t count the soldiers.
Like many of us, they felt discouraged and afraid:
“Why [our allies] did not send more strength unto us we knew not; therefore we were grieved and also filled with fear.”Pour out your soul
Imagine a pitcher filled to the very top with stress, worry, and uncertainty. That’s how many of us feel during difficult seasons of life. The warriors didn’t try to keep adding to the pitcher. Instead, they poured their feelings out to God.
When we do the same, we create space for the Lord to replace fear with peace.
A perfect listener
To pour out our souls is to offer an honest prayer, not a perfect one. God listens to our imperfect words with perfect love.
Ana Veronica Bustillos Parra, a BYU-Pathway student from Ecuador, experienced this:
“When I started my studies, I was filled with many emotions of fear, and uncertainty. The first months were hard. I was learning a new language [and to be a mom]. As I prayed every day, my Heavenly Father listened to me and accompanied me because He understood my situation.”
He won’t leave you empty
After the warriors prayed, they reflected,
“God did visit us with assurances that He would deliver us … and did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith.”
The battle was still fought. The war did not end. But something inside the warriors changed. With God on their side, they received the peace, faith, and strength to keep fighting — and you can too.
Arthur Pedro shares the end of his story:
“Now I feel much more confident speaking English. With my [ PathwayConnect completion ] certificate in hand, I can see that my effort was worth it. If you have concerns about your overwhelming schedule, I am proof that your struggles can turn into strengths within this program.”
Heavenly Father is ready to listen. As you pour out your soul to Him, He will not leave you empty. He can fill you with peace, strength, and faith to keep moving forward.
Consider finding a quiet moment today to offer an honest prayer about your next steps with BYU-Pathway .