I was making a 3.0 GPA average at U.C.I., and my electrical engineer professor threatened me that if I don't study a lot harder, then I might be forced to drop out of graduate school. It was the Winter Quarter of 1996, and I was miserable. I was studying 10 to 15 hours a week on my electricity and magnetism course while my electrical engineer competitors did not study at all. I have prayed for a B, and I got the fifth lowest score among 17 people in the class. Of course, I was discouraged, and I started to hate engineering when I find engineering very boring, stupid, and hard. So, I asked my Catholic electrical engineer friend to tutor me so that I can get a B, and he pronounced me dead that I am not going to make it in the course with my stupid questions. I was even more depressed. I cried every week at the age of 26 hating engineering and told myself that getting a $50,000 job to attract a wife is really not worth it. At the end of that quarter, I got my B, and I could see my electrical engineer professor's face, and I can tell that he does not think I deserve that B.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

This verse is my most favorite verse in the Bible, and I am always encouraged by it. Some non-Christians may say, "Joseph, does this verse seem to be untrue when you did not get an A?" The answer is "no." According to Dr. J. Vernon McGee, he said that the verse should be translated like this: "I can do all things in Christ which strengtheneth me." Other words, Apostle Paul is saying that I can do all things according to God's will and that Christ strengthens me in whatever circumstances I am.

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Philippians 4:11

Despite my poor performance in my electrical engineering class, I was content with my B. When the Spring Quarter began, I was not studying at all. I was taking a ceramics course, and I was not motivated. My electrical engineering professors would tell me that I do not belong at U.C.I. as a graduate student and that I am extremely lazy. One week before the midterm, I studied and crammed for the midterm for five hours. I prayed about five minutes, and I begged for a B. I told myself that God would not let me down by getting a C, and I have so much confidence in our Lord that he would pull me with a B. After the midterm was over, I was wrong. I did not get my B. Instead, I got the A+. My professor said that I got the highest midterm score in my class.

It was God, who helped me overcome my difficult trials at U.C.I., and it was your prayers. I want to thank my Lord Jesus Christ and my friends, who prayed for me. Without your prayers, I do not believe that getting that A+ is possible. Despite my success as an engineer, I still want to be a pastor. I believe that I have a calling. Thank you and God bless.

*The opinions expressed in this testimonial are those of the author, who is solely responsible for content.* Editor, THE EDIFIER