i was roaming around GYE today and i noticed one of the screen names "silent battle" and it got me thinking. We all fall because the yetser hara convinces us that we are alone and we think no one, not even Hashem, knows what we are about to do. (as a side point, if we were to really live with the constant reality that hashem is with us, we wouldnt sin. Imagine being in the presence of a gadol hador with his full undivided attention all on you, would you even be thinking of sin?? something to think about). I couldnt have thought of a better name myself, it is a "silent battle" that each and everyone of us go through daily, with no one to talk to who can understand and really help. not to mention the embarrassment that one has to go through in telling your Rav whom respected you as a talmid and ben torah, that you have an uncontrollable, taivah related addiction. But here is where it all changes, we no longer have to suffer in silence, we no longer fight alone, together we form a battalion, a legion of soldiers that are fighting as one, all for one and one for all.
We are soldiers fighting a "milchemes hashem" and when soldiers come home from a battlefield triumphant and jubilant, they are made into heroes by there fellow comrades, this gives them the strength to stand another day.
With all my brethren on GYE I know that i have an army of fighters behind me everyday, that will share my pain and help me heal, strengthening me to fight till the end. I dont know how i ever thought i stood a chance by myself.
Please do not underestimate the power each of us have to help others and ourselves. You can help change a life, or save a marriage by a simple word of encouragement. You are a vital piece in a jigsaw puzzle that can paint an awesome picture when put together with all the other pieces, a picture that expresses the power of am yisrael - k' ish echad b'lev echad (a nation that is like one man with one heart) at one with ourselves, at one with each other and at one with the almighty. much hatslacha to all. your success is my success, you will all be in my prayers. kol tov Dan