שבע יפול צדיק וקם wrote on 23 Feb 2023 04:17:
Love it, Geshmak!, and, yes, I agree.
Your comment made me think about something that is a piece of my struggle story. You raise an interesting theological issue and I'll write it in first person. I don't want to divorce Hashem from my efforts at keeping this mitzvah, all other mitzvos, and doing anything in life actually. For struggles--and for everything--I should pause in advance and say a prayer. But, regarding an עבירה, what if I then fail [fall]? Is it because Hashem didn't help me? Can I pull the old Iyov trick and blame G-d for my shortcomings? Especially in the pre-GYE days before I was able to have significant streaks, I would pour my heart out in the space after אלקי נצור, but before יהיו לרצון אמרי פי asking for help in the struggle of not looking at pornography and masturbating. Daily. All of those falls, was it because Hashem didn't help me? Can't be. Did all of the prayers lead me to GYE? That is an unknown, but I guess it could be.
In my previous thread, I wrote about how being on GYE helped me minimize the struggle, in the sense that it doesn't define me as a person before Hashem. I do so much good and this is just a small blemish. After that new perspective, I stopped praying for help for this specific struggle in the same. Trust me, I need all the help I can get in life and keeping all of the mitzvos.
So, I appreciate the reminder, Geshmak!, that I need to continuously increase the frequency of which I turn my eyes Heavenward and include Hashem in my life and in this struggle.
Keep on the shteighing!!!
I have recently seen someone post this after reading a couple of old forums and conversations when I had some rough time and thank the borey shel olam (hashem) that I came across this online link to this written book that I am currently in the process obviously but do feel it is very effective to bring a positive outcome! Hatzlacha Rabah, (my own opinion if you are like me and don’t like reading long books- you can do what I did and get an extension for voice read aloud texts and put it at your speed. And look along!! It has helped me and very appreciative and would really want everyone to have at it because I feel as though it is a great mehalech (way) to succeed in accomplishing any struggle one may have!
http://easypeasymethod.org/easypeasy.pdf
Bhatzlacha (with much success) on your endeavor in breaking the chain and keep the climb upwards!
Take a glance if you'd like, may help you too! Hatzlacha!!