As we head into the summer months, we must equip ourselves with a strategy to navigate one of the great nisyonos of our time. Toward the tail end of parshas Shelach (read this week in Eretz Yisrael) the Torah issues a commandment that, at times, can be one of the most difficult to fulfill. “V’lo sasuru acharei levavchem v’acharei eineichem,” the Torah says. “And you shall not stray after your heart and your eyes.” This is counted as one of the 613 commandments, the obligation to refrain from looking at that which is indecent and immodest. It is no coincidence that parshas Shelach is read at the threshold of summer vacation; it serves as a resonant reminder of our mission to think higher, see higher, and, ultimately, live higher.

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Rabbeinu Bechaye (Yisro, 19:3) teaches us that the performance of a mitzvah inspires an eis ratzon, a moment of auspiciousness, in Shamayim. Any tefillah offered during those precious moments is incredibly powerful. Women daven when lighting Shabbos candles, says Rabbeinu Bechaye, for precisely this reason. Lighting Shabbos candles is a mitzvah, and thus an opportune time to daven. Imagine, then, how much greater one’s power of tefillah is when the mitzvah being performed comes with mesirus nefesh!

Turning away from an improper image is a prime example; it’s not just a mitzvah, it’s a mitzvah that demands sacrifice! Shomrei Emunim writes that any tefillah uttered at the time of overcoming a powerful challenge in shemiras einayim will not go unanswered. So, when confronted with a nisayon, take a deep breath and… daven! This focus will help dull the temptation, and in the process, merit so much blessing.

Try taking this perspective: This experience isn’t a challenge, it’s an opportunity! Hashem wants to give me special brachah, and here is my key to access it. Rather than look, let me daven, and merit brachah that I never could have imagined possible.

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The Gemara in Yoma (86b) shares an alarming teaching. Although we know that Hashem will always accept our sincere teshuvah, certain sins require additional elements. Some require suffering, and in the case of chillul Hashem— chas v’shalom, even death. It’s a frightening teaching, but there is no need to despair.