the yetzer is like Pharaoh who put in overtime and is making it harder than it should be, but its all just hashem, why does He let that happen?

sorry for the rant but it really frustrates me sometimes!

The punishment of the snake is that he is on the ground and has no need to turn to H for help. All of the snakes food is right there for him. A person who is bombarded with challenges on the other hand always has opportunities to call out for help to HaKBH. The question is whether those opportunities are leveraged into fodder for the animal drive or instead used to plead to Gcd.

I relate very much to the frustration, and it was one of the things that Ben Durdaya explained very well at our OINK meeting last week.

That is, we are control freaks, we have an entire plan of according to how much we work such and such is/isn't SUPPOSED to happen. we have that ingrained in our thought process, therefore when situations like the those come up, the calculations don't add up and we lose ourselves.

"let go and let GOD", "one day at a time", they are trying to teach us that we need to learn to accept life as life goes, not to anticipate outcomes that we cannot really predict. We don't run the world, we have to learn to accept what Hashem gives moment by moment, once we start living like that we will be able to live much happier and clear lives.

I hope that was understandable and that it is correct!!

Hatzlacha

I had the same questions. As long as I had the questions, I could not let go of lust. As long as I focused on how Hashem's is treating me, that it's unfair etc.. I could not break free. Asking those questions is just a way to hang on to lust. It's a rationalization. We need to let go of our "right" to lust. We need to ask how can we surrender our will to Hashem.

I think that's what 12 steppers call "Asking G-d to take it away so I don't have to give it up". We need to give it up.

Does that make sense?

Not arguing with anything that anyone above said, but there are answers to the question so I'd like to say it just to have it there.I think that when you asked the question you also knew the answer but you were frustrated (i know exactly how you feel).

The simple answer to why we struggle is simply because Hashem wants to reward us in olam habah and without struggle then there really isn't what to reward us for.

But one important thing I want to point out is that it does seem impossible or at least extremely hard at the beginning, but it really isn't.
From what I can tell most people myself included have it pretty easy for the first little while, then it slowly gets harder and harder until the point where you feel that it's impossible, and then it starts getting easier.
Eventually you get to a point where most of it is habit and you only have to struggle every so often.Sounds like you're almost at the point of it getting easier.Hang on and KOT.

hatzlacha

Hey, I understand your frustration and I feel for you

It has happened by me as well that I was tempted to sin and my helper fell asleep with phone in hand.

Unlike the answers given before which are probably correct, id like to suggest that the question is not a question; its merely an excuse (and I talkin to myself mainly).

For example, when I was away for a night and I was tempted to visit a place of ill repute, I called my helper from parking lot and together I overcame desire. 20 minutes later, I called from a different place with the same result. A third time as well. By the time I gave in by fourth place, my helper was asleep, and boy, did I sin.

Should I complain to God that hey why'd you let her fall asleep? Don't You know that I needed help? That would be ludicrous.

I'm sure my example is not precisely like you're, but think about it a little. Is He always putting me in temptatious situations? Isn't it true that He prevents some of them from occurring as well? Doesn't it happen that I myself caused it?

I may be wrong (I may be crazy....), but those are my thoughts.

Main thing is it should be bhatzlachah

cordnoy wrote:

I thought it was "You may be right, I may be crazy"?

"But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for"

Hey, where is BOT (Back on Track) when you need him. Anyone hear from him lately???

afreshstart39,
Thanks for making my thread so leibidig.

And thanks all for sharing your thoughts to afreshstart39's question. They were all very insightful and helpful.

gibbor120 wrote:


you are definitely right

"turn out the lights"

by the way; was my answer also correct?

Sounds good to me.