Spiritual Opportunity in Temptation

Have you ever felt that you get burnt out always saying no to temptations? Of course none of us always say no. But most of us try to say no to some of the temptations that seem appealing yet morally wrong. Yet doing this drains us of energy and we eventually will often crack under the pressure. So how do we sustain ourselves so that we are able to resist temptation time and time again?

I like to look at temptation as an opportunity to do good. Usually we simply think of it as an opportunity to do bad and that not engaging in the act is simply remaining where we are. But in fact the proper outlook on temptation is to see it as an opportunity to develop new habits of holiness within ourselves. In other words we can see resisting temptation as not only avoiding evil but also promoting good.

We simply cannot manage long if we constantly fill we are missing out on something. We need something or someone to connect with. So when I am tempted I try to say a prayer, "God, help to find in you what I'm trying to find in this (temptation)." And when we turn these needs over to God we find the capacity to celebrate the goodness that we have just experienced.

Saying no to temptation is something to be proud of.