Hi Rick, well you are in good company, Paul had the same struggle.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
v. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
v. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
v. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
v. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
This way is not suppose to be easy, as Ray has said it's the hardest thing we will ever do. I feel that it is a good thing to have the hope in obtaining the highest calling any person can receive. So I strive and hope to endure to the end... what hope can there be if I just give up and throw the towel in? And I don't believe it is an unrealistic hope, because the Scripture that I base this hope on is this.
1Co 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
v. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
v. 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
v. 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
With that I feel there's a real chance for even me, if God willing and I keep with it to the end. It won't happen without both of those, so I struggle on.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
v. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
v. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
v. 25 I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
mercy, peace and love
Kat