About the Book
Through Trials to Triumph is the story of a Catholic teenage girl struggling with depression and dark thoughts about ending her life while grappling with her faith.
It’s a recollection filled with prose, poetry, and pictures from Grade 9 to Grade 13 in the 1980s. The story unfolds in a “scrapbook” format with original poems and report cards that draw you in from the start and transport you back in time with nostalgic memories.
Book Excerpt
Prologue
Since childhood, I believed in God. And I believed in Satan.
Satan. Father of lies. Beelzebub. Enemy. Demon. Devil. Deceiver. Lucifer. He is referred to all these names (and more) throughout the Bible.
Most people are familiar with his actions in the garden of Eden. However, he was a created being before then. He started out as an angel of God, a cherub, named Lucifer. He was exceedingly beautiful. But he became prideful because of this. He wanted the glory and honour that belonged to God. He wanted to be worshipped. He wanted to be God.
His pride caused him to rebel and he was thrown from heaven down to earth. Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18).
His name changed from Lucifer, which means “morning star” to Satan which means “adversary”. His story is told in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14.
As the enemy of God, he is the enemy of all God loves. His goal is to turn us away from God. He is an accuser and a tempter. We see his influences throughout the world and our godless society.
However, the good news is that Satan is not the opposite of God. They are not equal and opposing powers. God is all-powerful, present everywhere, and all-knowing. Satan is not.
Satan cannot read our thoughts. He is a created being who is limited in what he knows, where he goes, and what he can do. His existence depends upon God. At the end of time, he will be thrown into the lake of fire forever.
But until then, Satan reigns on earth. He is evil, crafty, and deceitful. There is a real battle that goes on in our hearts and minds: the struggle between good and evil.
The Bible warns us about him:
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Although I had a solid upbringing in a strong Catholic faith, I did not heed the Bible’s warnings. During my years of high school, there raged a real battle for my soul. Satan wanted me to lie, cheat, and steal. He wanted me to take my own life.
Although I allowed him to influence my thoughts and my actions, I believe God protected and shielded me over those years.
Romans 8:38–89 says: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers [satanic power included], nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
About the Author
Kimberley is an award-winning author. Her writing relates raising a family, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, and everyday experiences to building a relationship with God. She also combines her teaching experience and love of writing to create educational materials for children about family, fitness, science, and faith. Visit her website.
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