Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

My lower self (nafs) has got the better of me and I feel I cannot defeat it. What should I do?

Your lower self may have got the better of you temporarily but you can defeat it. The lower self or anything else cannot be a barrier to the one who seeks strength from the All Powerful. Imam al-Haddad said:

و النفس و الشيطان أعصيهما بقوة الله العلي العظيم

I go against my lower self and the Devil through the power of Most High, the Most Great

Were man not able to overcome his lower self, Allah would not have commanded him to purify it and strive against it. No matter how much it overcomes do you, do not think that it will defeat you. Rely upon Allah and you will get the better of it.