Several years ago at work, a new employee was hired into our section. “Shirley” was a drop-dead gorgeous woman. Besides being beautiful, she was intelligent, witty, and friendly. Quickly, I realized that I was getting a crush on her.

Mentally I made a list of all the things that were wrong with my romantic attraction. First, I’m a married man. Second, I’m a sexaholic, and part of my disease is being drawn to women romantically. Besides, I was 20 years older. Not to mention all the problems involved with office romances. But all those rationalizations had little to no effect on my attraction/obsession.

I prayed, “God please take this. God, I surrender my attraction.” But it didn’t feel like it was working. Possibly the thoughts and the prayer did have some effect, however, for several months I didn’t make any moves, and I kept away from her in solitary situations. I kept the poison all inside myself.

After several months, one lunch hour I was driving to a meeting. While driving I saw pedestrians about to cross the street, and I stopped to let them cross. One was a beautiful woman. Two thoughts crossed my mind. First, she was almost a twin to “Shirley.” Second, I realized that I was thinking, “Man, she must have a lot of trouble with guys hitting on her.” I felt slightly bad for her.

Immediately following came two more thoughts. One: I realized that I must have heard the voice of God—that voice for sure was not my own. Two: I understood that this spiritual experience could help me with my office obsession. This entire process happened in a couple of seconds.

I had to follow through, of course, and I did. There were times when I started to feel romantic lust for “Shirley.” I surrendered them one by one, always adding: “I don’t want to be one of those guys hitting on her.” Within a couple of months, my attitudes had become normal and I was free of the obsession. I am grateful for the sudden miracle.