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Eventually, we will come to the point where the temptations and the desires for our addictions will become so weak that they will be easier manage and control. We will get to the point where Satan will have no more control over uswhen people have addictions Satan does have a certain amount of control. There will be a period of peace in our lives, where for a time it seems like Satan has all but disappeared. I experienced this and thought it was all over. Do not be fooled by this as I was, Satan will never give up. The kind of hatred that he and his followers have is insatiabletheir only and greatest desire, with which they spend all their time and energy, is to try to make us miserable. There will be a time when our weaknesses will seem to have disappeared, and even it may seem like Satan has given up trying to tempt us. However, we need to recognize that he will continue to make periodic and strategic attacks in an attempt to rekindle old habits. He can do it using many methods, but one pattern is clear and that is that he will wait patiently until we are weakened. He will try to tempt us when we are the most vulnerable. Any negative event that can happen in our lives that has the potential to weaken us can serve as an avenue for temptation. Here are a few events that may be coupled with temptation: No job Fighting or arguing Stress Anger Death of loved ones Being offended

I did not realize this was happening the first time. A while after I had again received my temple recommend and was attending the temple regularly, my wife and I got into a big

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argument. At that moment, when I had so much anger toward my wife, the temptation came quickly and effectively and I succumbed to it. Afterwards I then realized what had happened Satan had waited patiently to tempt me at the exact moment that I was the weakest. The Savior, when talking to the Nephites who had had contentions among themselves, said: For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another, but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away. (3 Nephi 11: 29-30). We need to realize that Satan will try to find a weak spot, using the tools of contention, hatred, and anger to make us weaker. This will be Satans continually effort to try to reclaim us for as long as we live. Recognize this, and take special precautions during this time to strengthen and to fortify your relationships. Step 10Plan Weak Moments Anticipate during weak moments in our lives that temptations will inevitably follow. Therefore, step 10 is to plan what we will do when we are having weak moments so that we can be fortified when the temptations come. Write a plan for the actions you will take when you are having a weak moment to resist temptations that will come. It is important that we take control of our feelings and make the conscious effort to not get offended or angered by the things that people say, do, or happen to us. To be offended and to get angry is a choice that only each individual can makewe do have a choice. Elder Lynn G. Robbins said:

The verb stir sounds like a recipe for disaster: Put tempers on medium heat, stir in a few choice words, and bring to a boil; continue stirring until thick; cool off; let feelings chill for several days; serve cold; lots of leftovers.

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A cunning part of his strategy is to dissociate anger from agency, making us believe that we are victims of an emotion that we cannot control. We hear, I lost my temper. Losing ones temper is an interesting choice of words that has become a widely used idiom. To lose something implies not meaning to, accidental, involuntary, not responsiblecareless perhaps but not responsible. He made me mad. This is another phrase we hear, also implying lack of control or agency. This is a myth that must be debunked. No one makes us mad. Others dont make us angry. There is no force involved. Becoming angry is a conscious choice, a decision; therefore, we can make the choice not to become angry. We choose! (Agency and Anger, Robbins, L.G., Ensign, May 1998, p. 80).

Once we realize that anger is a choice, it will become easier to control our tempers. We should consider putting activities on our positive habit list that will strengthen our families and lessen contention. Such as: Family prayer Family scripture study Family Home Evening Family Activities And serving each other. In closing this chapter, and this book, we need to remember that Satan will never give up, even when we have overcome an addiction. He will wait patiently for our weak moments. In our weak moments temptations will surely come. Plan for these weak moments (step 10), recognize when they are happening, and follow your plan when temptations come. In closing this book, I would like to emphasize the importance of the planning steps. Use these, change them as needed, and update them often. Review often the plans that you make in order to keep your goals and plans fresh in your mind so they are easier to recall.

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Chapter 7 Summary Even though our desires for our addictions will diminish, Satan will never give up. Satan will try to use any opportunity to get us back to our addictionsanger, trails, fighting, etc. The attacks will come through family, friends, and those close to youdo what you can to strengthen these relationships and avoid mishaps. Chapter 7 Assignment Complete step 10Plan Weak Moments.