Perspectives on the Struggle

The Challenge Before Moshiach

Rav Ahron Lopian quotes the Tosfos Yom Tov (Avos Perek Hei):

תוספות יום טוב מסכת אבות פרק ה

ולא אירע קרי לכ"ג ביום הכפורים - יש מי שהקשה ולמה יארע לו קרי אחר שהיה מזרזין אותו כל שבעת הימים והוא בטהרה כל היום ההוא וזקני העם כל הלילה לא יחשו מלזרזו. והתשובה כי יצר הטוב ויצר הרע מתקוטטים זה עם זה כשני אויבים. וכשאחד מהן קרוב להיות מנוצח יתחזק על עמדו בראותו כי כלתה אליו הרעה והרבה מן האנשים בעת פטירתן יתחזקו וידברו דברים טובים כאילו הם בריאים. ולזה היה קרוב מאד להיות הכהן בעל קרי. כ"כ במד"ש בשם החסיד ז"ל. ועמ"ש בריש דמאי בדבור והחומץ שביהודה וכו' לתרוצי הא דמתקנים לו כהן אחר. דתנן בריש יומא ופירש הר"ב שם משום קרי:

The same thing is that now before Moshiach comes, the Satan doesn't want Moshiach to come, so the כח הטומאה is working overtime because he wants to be the winner.

Why it's hard

• "Living in the Age of Sexual Temptation" in Douglas Braun-Harvey MA, MFT, CGP, CST, Michael A. Vigorito LMFT, LCPC, CGP - Treating out of control sexual behavior - rethinking sex addiction-Springer Publishing Company (2016) p. 65 and on.
• Triple A: "Accessibility, Affordability, and Anonymity" - Al Cooper. Cyber Psychology & Behavior. Jan 1998.187-193.http://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.1998.1.187. See also here.

It's okay to have urges

• See Rav Elyah Lopian, Reb Itche der Masmid.

Dealing with Shame

See Rav Shlomo Wolbe

See Shame

From GYE Members

• I always wondered, why me? I got these nisyonos before I was even Bar Mitzvah! Was it my own fault? But how could I be faulted for something before 13? What did I do for Hashem to give me these challenges? So, I found this video really interesting. R' Wallerstein brings from R' Chaim Vital a reason for EXCACTLY that! I in THIS lifetime did NOTHING wrong to deserve having EXTRA strong lust and challenges in these areas. BUT, my previous self CHOSE these things on  his own. B"H I GET the OPPORTUNITY to fix these because Hashem gave me these tendencies and gave me the opportunity to fight it. Who knows if that is really the case but I found it to be a powerful idea, and give me new perspective on how my challenge is an opportunity and in no way my fault! #Realestatemogul
• I forget the source for what I'm about to say but I remember hearing that if someone sees that he has a challenge in fulfilling a certain mitzvah then he knows it's one of the missions he was brought into the world for and the fact he has this challenge shows he can overcome it. It seems like this generation has been given a challenge like no other but the fact we have the challenge means we have the power to overcome it. #Zedj

GYE Boosts

Why do I struggle?

• But I Caused This Mess, Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier reassures us that this struggle is not our fault!
• Why People Struggle with Different Things, Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein explains the esoteric reasons why some people struggle more than others in specific areas. (I think he is referring to SSA)
• Like Electricity, Rabbi Avi Wiesenfeld explains why the pull is so strong. (He explains it's natural)
• Who the Coach Challenges Most, Rabbi Avi Wiesenfeld inspires us with this obvious truth. (This can go good with the Coach material for teens)
• IT'S JUST TOO HARD, Could it be that Hashem gives us tests that are just TOO difficult to ever overcome? (Talks about Kol Hagadol Meichaveiro)
• SWEETEST TO THE SOUL, Do you wish you wouldn't struggle anymore?
• THE FOOL AND THE GENERAL, Why does Hashem make the tests so hard? (Yiddish)
• The Fire Goes Both Ways, Rav Ephraim Wachsman speaks about how davka those with the fire of desire in their hearts have the highest potential for the fire of Kedusha. (A bit brutal bec. Of the word Rasha. But good stuff - for guys who did extreme stuff)
• Two Types of Tzadikim, Rav Ephraim Wachsman once again inspires those who struggle to be happy with their lot. (Tanya)
• The Last Battle, Rabbi Yosef Elefant explains why this challenge is the final battle before Moshiach can come. (בכף ירך יעקב - this is the last fight)

Related entries

• Attitude Principles for Lust Struggles
• Chizuk