Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matt 11:29).Temptations play an important role in our spiritual development They help us develop the strength to overcome them and grow spiritually affirming our faith.
Elder Macarius tells us that we cannot achieve peace of mind except by a battling with temptations.
He says,
Our Lord too, fought, suffered, and sorrowed much before the time of His death on the cross. He was reproached, vilified, humiliated, and tempted. And He laboriously built up for us a picture of His own life on earth, which all of us must strive to follow...
When beset by temptations pray for courage and strength to remain firm. remember: there is an eternity.
Reference: Russian Letters of Spiritual Direction, p 84
