Motivating Sources on Growing in Yiras Hashem and Being in Control of our Temptations, part 1

A fundamental point to internalize is that the point of your life is to build a relationship with Hashem. That relationship has to be the most important one to you, and it takes training to think about it all day long, but it's doable, and it's what we're supposed to do.

Orchos Tzaddikim (Hakdama)  The most important asset for a person to obtain is Yiras Hashem.
Vilna Gaon (Mishlei 4:13)  The entire purpose of our existence is to overcome our negative habits.
Shulchan Uruch  (O”C 231:1)  As you do anything pleasurable, you should have in mind that you’re doing it l’shem Shama’yim.
Eduyos 5:6  Akavya ben Mahalalel testified about four halachos.  The Chuchumim (disagreed with these halachos and) told him that if he retracts his testimony, they’ll appoint him as Av Bais Din (second to the Nasi).  He answered them, “mutav lee l’heekuray shoteh call yumai v’lo lay’asos shaah achas rasha lifnay Hamakom.”  (It’s better to be called a fool all my days (Tiferes Yisroel - for rejecting a prestigious position) and not become a rasha for even one moment before Hashem (Tosfos Yom Tov – I would be a rasha if I would retract for personal gain.  Tiferes Yisroel – because I’m convinced that the rulings I heard from my Rabbeim in these matters were the rulings of the majority).
Koheles 12:13 In the end, fear Hashem and do His mitzvos, for this is the purpose of man.
Mishlei 24:16  A tzaddik falls many times and he gets up, but a rasha falls and stays down.

Rama (O”C 1:1)  Shivisi Hashem l’negdi samid.  Hu klal gadol ba’Torah u’vimaalos ha’tzadikim asher holchim lifnay Elokim. It's fundamental to constantly be aware that Hashem is all around you, because humans don’t act and speak the same when alone than when they're with a king. All the more so when it's the King of Kings who never forgets every action and every thought.

Hashem doesn't want lip service. It's important to grow at a normal pace, and actions are more important than emotional connection, but emotional connection to Hashem is very important, and it makes it much easier and enjoyable to do the mitzvos. We have to break out of the social norms and do the mitzvos with energy and connection.

Yishaya 29:13  They honor Me with their mouths and lips, but their hearts are far from Me, and their fear of Me is like a commandment of men learned by rote.

Sanhedrin 106b  Rachmana liba ba’ee - Hashem wants our hearts