Hi Doves,
I've come through a terrible ordeal recently that I wanted to share with
you, in order to encourage others and give God praise.  I'm sure that you
are all aware that our enemy would love nothing more than to destroy the
family unit - by destroying marriages.
I believe that in these last days, our enemy is pulling out all stops and
increasing his fervor in this area.  We've all seen our different countries
turn from Biblical values and endorse Gay-unions.
Recently, while my husband was away for 4 weeks, his best friend made a play
for me!  I won't go into the whole story, but it happened quite innocently
and crept up very subtly.  We found ourselves in a situation alone at night.
He gave me a consoling hug that turned into a long embrace and we both
became very physically attracted to each other.  (Ofcourse, there are many
factors to this story that I won't go into, ie, the state of my marriage,
how long and how well I know this man, why I was alone with him and why he
hugged me etc)  After this particular evening, this man tried several times
to be alone with me, and on one occasion even asked me if I would 'have an
affair' with him!  It was a terrible time for me and the temptation was
great.
The points that I'm trying to make in all of this are;
Temptation can creep up on you in the most unsuspecting circumstances!  Ever
since I got married (10 years ago), I have not gone out to places where
there may be men looking to pick up women (ie, bars, clubs etc).  I can
count on one hand the number of times I've gone 'out with the girls' in the
last 10 years.  I've been a 'stay at home mum' for the last 6 years, only
associating with other mums and occasionally couples or families.  In the
last 3 or 4 months, I've even changed my style of dress to hide my figure,
rather than flaunt it (becoming more modest in my appearance).
Even though I thought I was more or less 'imune' to temptation because I
lead a lifestyle that is 'low-risk' - it still happened!
I would encourage any woman not to be alone with a man who is not her
husband - ever!  Even if you know someone so well that you think of them as
a friend or brother - don't ever be alone with them without your husband.
Don't ever think you are 'imune' to temptation such as this!
In Muslim culture, a man will never even visit
another family's home unless the man of the house is present.  If he is not
home, the man will only speak briefly to the woman at the door - not
actually entering their home.  I think this is a very wise custom!
Another point is that God ALWAYS provides a 'way out' during a trial of
temptation!  He also promised that He would never tempt us MORE than we can
bear!  I've clung to these two truths over the last month!  God was
faithful, and there was always a 'way out' for me - but I had to CHOSE it
myself!  I could have chosen to give in to temptation, but I chose to take
God's 'way out' each time.  This is the struggle, because God will not push
us through the 'way out', we must willingly put one foot in front of another
and take His 'way out' ourselves.
Another point is that the battle is in the mind.  When I made myself think
of the enemy in this trial, and how he would love to destroy my marriage,
then I was stronger to resist.  When I thought of Scripture, and of God's
promises, then I was stronger to resist.  However, as soon as I allowed
myself to think of this man and wonder 'what would it be like to kiss him?'
etc, then I became very weak and at one point I believe I would have given
in - if God had not arranged cirucmstances to save me!  We must WIN the
battle in our minds!!!
Another important point is that we NEED FELLOWSHIP!!!  Don't ever think you
are alone, or that you are struggling with something that you can't ever
tell anyone about.  Thankfully, I have a couple of wonderful Christian
female friends who I was able to confide in about this matter.  I asked for
their prayers and wisdom.  They prayed for me each day until the matter was
over.  They encouraged me to phone them anytime (day or night), if I felt I
was in danger of giving in to temptation.  Both of these women, had
experience in this type of situation before they had become Christians, and
were not at all judgemental.  They were both extremely compassionate and
understanding, while remaining firm in their advice and vigilant in prayer
for me.  I would not have made it through without these lovely women!  I
thank God for them!  They were an important part of the 'way out' that God
provided for me!
I'm sorry for such a long letter, but I really think the lessons that I've
learned through this are vital and may encourage other women to 'stand
firm'!
Thanks
Julie