you have to summon your last ounce of mental and physical energy to resist temptation and it leaves you exhausted and mentally drained, and you get no feeling of joy for successfully resisting it.

__________________
~Keon Garraway~ Brooklyn, NY

Love for God demonstrated by the love for our children in giving them a God centered education is the only hope for our country. by David Morrow
Pslam 71:20 [Thou], which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

You only know the power of temptation when you resist it.

__________________
Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)

Keon,

Your King has joy that you kept your heart from evil (3 John 4), and in His joy is yours. On the field of battle we are sometimes drained from the fray. But there are hearts that are glad you prevailed.

__________________
Steve Rafalsky
Elder, International Evangelical Church (Reformed)
Limassol, Cyprus

"I am set for the defense of the gospel" (Philippians 1:17)

"Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious
power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness..." (Colossians 1:11)

I seldom feel joy when I've resisted. I think I fear being too happy about it "lest I fall".

__________________


http://www.myspace.com/aleavelle
"Speak wisdom to a fool and he'll think you have no sense at all"

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Keon, I understand what your talking about.

Let's take comfort in God's Word.

1 Peter 1:6-9

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

__________________
John J.
Member Christ Prebyterian Church (OPC)
Salt Lake City, Utah
www.christpres.net

I have felt it in the sense mentioned here. But I've also felt this when I attempted to fight a battle on my own power. When it's over I realize that, though I didn't fall, my struggle had much to do with the fact that I was not resting in Christ and depending upon His strength during the trial. It makes any sense of victory hollow.

__________________
For the Glory of our King,
Joe Johnson
Married up in 1988 and blessed with two wonderful sons
TMS graduate
Preacherboy at Cornerstone Community Church, Escanaba, MI
http://www.SoundLife.org

thanks guys, its good to know that I am not in the same boat.