Our souls came down into this world to separate the bad from the good in the animal soul, body, and our portion of this world (the aspects of this world that, by Divine Providence, we have to engage with regularly). The main opportunity for separating the good from the bad and transforming the bad into good is the time of prayer. Through a fiery passionate love of Hashem in prayer, we separate out the spiritual impurity, just like the fire of the crucible separates dross from gold and silver. The more unholiness is mixed into the world and into us, the more intense and passionately fiery do we need to invest ourselves in prayer in awakening our love for Hashem.
The fact that we have a Yetzer Hara is ultimately for our benefit, as well. By overcoming the Yetzer Hara and transforming it, we come to an infinitely deeper connection to Hashem than we would have had without it. When we look at the Yetzer Hara, we need to realize that it only exists in order to bring us closer to Hashem. When we look at it this way, he will never be able to overpower us.
The fact that we sometimes experience physical suffering in this world must also be for a good purpose. Hashem is the source of all good, and everything He does is for the good. In every situation we are in, we need to remember that, hidden within it, there is a good purpose for which Hashem is creating it. Sometimes it is to awaken us to Teshuva. Sometimes it is to cleanse us from sins which would otherwise desensitize us to feeling Hashem’s Presence. Sometimes we cannot fathom the inner purpose of a certain suffering, but just the knowledge and faith that, ultimately, it must be for the good and there is a good and holy reason behind it, takes the “bite” out of the “snake,” and gives us the strength to continue serving Hashem with joy, even in difficult situations.
