ESTHER JOLAOLU
Written by Oluwapelumi Esther Jolaolu
Copyright © 2025 by Oluwapelumi Esther Jolaolu
TESTED AND TRIED
All rights reserved.
Book Cover by The Whole Tribes Media
This book is a work of ction where real people, events,
establishments, organizations appear, they are
entirely coincidental. All other elements of the novel
are drawn from the author’s imaginations.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to the Almighty God,
my Dear Parent, Mr. and Mrs. JOLAOLU, my siblings
( F a i t h , To l u w a l a s e a n d O l u w a t a m i l o r e ) ,
my mentors and those who wants to trust
God's timing, embracing the rening
process of faith, and pursuing a life
of purpose and holiness
FORWARD
It is both an honor and a privilege to write the foreword for Tested and
Tried by my esteemed sister, Oluwapelumi Esther Jolaolu. Upon
reviewing an early sample of the book's chapters, I immediately
recognized its relevance and signicance in the current season. This
book promises to be an invaluable resource for readers seeking
practical wisdom and guidance for navigating life's challenges.
Every individual, at some point, must face the tests of life. As we
know, even Jesus Christ and His apostles were not exempt from trials.
In John 14:30, Jesus said, “I will not say much to you, for the prince of
this world cometh and hath nothing in me.” Jesus Himself walked
through this path of testing, and His story stands as a testament to
overcoming adversity. As written in Acts 1:1, “In my former book,
Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach.”
Tested and Tried unfolds the wisdom of God in a powerful yet
accessible way. It is written in a clear and engaging style, making it
easy for readers to connect with its message. As the narrative
progresses, the reader will nd their heart lifted, their faith
strengthened, and their resolve solidied for the journey ahead.
I thank God for the grace upon Sister Oluwapelumi Esther Jolaolu,
whose obedience to His calling has resulted in the writing of this
timely book. I have personally witnessed God's goodness in her life,
as well as in the lives of her family, and I can attest to the positive
impact she has had on those around her. As a spiritual father, I count
it a blessing to witness her growth and continued ministry. May the
grace of God continue to abound upon her life and work, in Jesus'
mighty name.
Temidayo Oluwatosin
Zion Global Outreach Ministry
CONTENT
Chapter 1...................... The Journey of Faith
Chapter 2...................... Surrendered Paths
Chapter 3...................... Friendship and Unspoken Promises
Chapter 4..................... A love Born from Faith and Purpose
Chapter 5..................... Trusting God’s Timing
Chapter 6..................... A Return of James and the
Seeds of Deception
Chapter 7..................... The Call to Grow
Chapter 8..................... Esther’s Triumph Over Darkness
Chapter 9..................... Esther’s Breakthrough During the fast
Chapter 10................... A weekend of transformation
Chapter 11................... Divine Strength and Choice
Chapter 12................... Healing, Praying and Divine Fellowship
Chapter 13................... A Battle of Deception and
Divine Fellowship
Chapter 14................... Breaking the Chains
Chapter 15................... A Path of Purpose
Chapter 16................... Transformation to Divine Union
Chapter
ONE
.........................................
The Journey of Faith
.........................................
The morning air was crisp, and the golden sunlight painted
the farm in hues of amber. Esther sat on her wooden
veranda, her Bible open to the Psalms, savoring the peace of
the early hour. In the distance, her workers tended to rows of
crops and cared for livestock. The gentle clucking of chickens
mixed with the occasional sound of a tractor starting up.
Her favorite passage, “The earth is the Lord's, and everything
in it” (Psalm 24:1), rested on her lips as she whispered a
prayer. She paused to jot down in her journal, “Lord, may this
farm always bring glory to your name. You are the true
owner; I am but a steward.”
Occasionally, she would hear the faint murmur of voices as
workers passed by. “She thinks she's better than us,” one
said, their tone sharp. “She doesn't even listen to worldly
music,” another chimed in, their voice laced with
amusement.
Esther chuckled softly, unbothered. Her heart swelled with
gratitude instead of frustration. “Thank You, Lord, for
counting me worthy to bear your name,” she whispered. She
closed her Bible, rose, and walked to greet her workers with a
warm smile, knowing her actions often spoke louder than
their words.
Isaac slumped into his worn-out couch, staring at the photo
on his coffee table. It was a reminder of a painful chapter: his
former business partner and best friend, someone he trusted
with everything, had betrayed him for nancial gain. The
betrayal had left him not just nancially unstable but
emotionally scarred.
He leaned back, rubbing his temples. “God, how do I even
begin to trust again?” he muttered.
The faint buzz of his phone broke the silence. It was his
mother calling. “Isaac, you have to let go,” she urged after
hearing his frustrations. “Not everyone is like that. God can
bring the right people into your life if you let Him.”
Isaac sighed. “I know, Mom, but every time I think of trusting
someone, it feels like setting myself up for heartbreak
again.”
After the call ended, he sank to his knees beside his bed.
Tears streamed down his face as he prayed, “Lord, heal me.
Help me trust again. I can't keep living like this.”
The afternoon was warm and bustling as Esther boarded the
bus, nding a spot near the middle. Her sharp eyes soon fell
on Isaac, a young man who sat a few rows ahead of her,
clutching a thick brown envelope.
She noticed the tension on his face—his jaw clenched, his
eyes darting between the window and his phone. He seemed
lost in thought.
The bus jolted to a halt at a crowded stop, and Isaac hurried
off, leaving the envelope behind. Esther's heart leaped. “Sir!
Sir!” she called, but her voice was drowned out by the
engine's rumble.
Acting on instinct, and the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit,
she signaled the driver. “Please stop the bus!”
The driver grumbled but obliged. Esther jumped out and
began running after Isaac, her sandals slapping against the
pavement.
“Sir! Wait!” she yelled.
Isaac turned, startled. “What?”
“This!” she gasped, holding up the envelope. “You left it on
the bus.”
Isaac's eyes widened as he took it. “Oh my… Thank you! This
is so important. You have no idea.”
“God does,” Esther replied with a small smile. “He prompted
me to act.”
She hesitated before adding, “Here's my number, in case you
need any help with it.” Isaac nodded, still too overwhelmed
to say much.
That evening, Isaac sat at his desk, staring at the envelope.
Inside were critical documents for an audit at work—losing
them would have been disastrous. He bowed his head and
whispered, “Thank You, Lord, for sending her my way.”
He picked up his phone, hesitated, then typed, “Hello, Esther.
This is Isaac—the man you helped today. Thank you again. I'd
like to know more about you.”
Her response came quickly: “You're welcome, Isaac. I'm just
glad I could help. How was your day?”
The conversation owed effortlessly. They discovered they
shared a deep love for God and a passion for helping others.
By the end of their chat, Esther invited him to a program at
her church.
“I think you'll love it,” she added. “It's a power-packed
service. God always shows up in amazing ways.”
Isaac stood outside the church, taking a deep breath. The
building wasn't what he expected—modern, welcoming, and
bustling with people. After some deliberation, he stepped
inside and took a seat at the back.
The worship was unlike anything he'd experienced. The
songs, the prayers, the atmosphere—it all felt alive.
When Esther stepped onto the stage, he was stunned. She
exuded a quiet condence, her voice steady and anointed as
she shared the Word.
As she spoke, Isaac felt a peculiar warmth in his chest.
Suddenly, the room faded, and he was in a vision.
He stood at the edge of a dark pit. The air was heavy, and
despair loomed. A hand reached down and pulled him out,
placing him on solid ground. A voice echoed, “Esther! Esther!
Esther!”
When the vision ended, Isaac was shaken but lled with an
unexplainable peace.
Chapter
TWO
.........................................
Surrendered Paths
.........................................
Isaac arrived at Esther's farm on a crisp Saturday morning.
The landscape was breathtaking, with vast elds stretching
as far as the eye could see, dotted with grazing cattle and the
faint hum of workers tending to the land. Esther greeted him
with a warm smile, her eyes shining with a mix of excitement
and peace.
“Welcome to the farm, Isaac,” she said, leading him past the
rows of crops. “This is where I nd my peace—among the
earth, the animals, and the quiet presence of God.”
Isaac marveled at the serenity of the place. “I can see why. It's
beautiful here.”
They walked together, talking about everything and nothing.
Esther shared stories of how her family had worked the land
for generations, and how it was a labor of love for her. Isaac
listened intently, fascinated by her deep connection to the
farm and her faith.
It was clear that her life wasn't just about cultivating the
land—it was about cultivating her relationship with God, and
that was what made everything ourish.
As they walked by the barn, Esther's workers greeted them.
They were friendly but kept a respectful distance, sensing
that their employer's guest was important. Isaac tried to
engage in conversation, but there was a subtle tension in the
air—he could tell some of them didn't fully understand
Esther's unyielding commitment to her faith. It didn't bother
him, though. If anything, it deepened his admiration for
Esther's integrity and the strength of her convictions.
Later, as they sat on the porch, sipping lemonade and
watching the sunset, Isaac shared a personal story of his
own. “I've always wanted to own a piece of land like this,” he
confessed. “Something I could call my own. But the world
keeps pushing me in the opposite direction—into corporate
success, into chasing after things that don't bring peace.”
Esther listened carefully, her heart stirred by Isaac's
vulnerability. “It's not the land that brings peace, Isaac,” she
said softly. “It's the heart that tends to it. Whether it's land,
relationships, or our careers—peace comes from
surrendering everything to God's plan.”
Isaac nodded, the weight of her words settling deeply in his
spirit. It wasn't the rst time he'd heard something similar, but
hearing it from Esther made it feel different—more real.
Over the next few weeks, their friendship blossomed even
further. Isaac found himself thinking about Esther more
often, and the more they talked, the more he realized how
much he admired her—her heart, her faith, and the way she
seemed so grounded in her relationship with God.
Meanwhile, Esther felt a growing affection for Isaac as well.
She appreciated how he opened up to her, how he didn't shy
away from vulnerability. His honesty and willingness to seek
God's guidance in all things reminded her of the strength
she'd always hoped for in a partner.
One afternoon, as they walked together after a Bible study,
Isaac turned to Esther, his heart pounding in his chest.
“Esther, I've been thinking a lot about our friendship,” he
said, his voice steady but lled with emotion. “And I know this
might sound sudden, but I believe that God has brought us
together for a reason. I care about you, and I don't want to
keep hiding my feelings.”
Esther stopped in her tracks, her breath catching in her
throat. She hadn't expected this, but as she looked into
Isaac's eyes, she knew exactly how she felt. “Isaac, I care
about you too,” she said softly, her heart racing. “I've been
praying for clarity, and I believe God has been guiding us. I
trust His timing.”
They stood there for a moment, both feeling the weight of the
moment, knowing that this was the beginning of something
much bigger than themselves.
And so, their journey continued—one that was not only
rooted in faith but also in the deepening love they were
discovering for each other, one step at a time
