Temptations most often come to me unannounced. If I am working my program well, I stay away from places and activities that create temptations. Sometimes, the temptations make me feel guilty even when I didn’t seek them out or indulge them. A conversation with my sponsor helps me sort that kind of thing out. In every case though, I have a Higher Power, a 12-Step program in SA, and the benefits of fellowship which remind me to surrender all lust temptations.

Some temptations come from my character defects, such as trying to be in control of things or holding onto resentments. Other temptations come from the day-to-day activities of life, such as those that come from being tired, lonely, hungry, or angry. All of these temptations and triggers I address by surrendering them to my Higher Power. I pray, “You know that I am powerless over lust. I surrender this situation/temptation to You. Help me …” When I fully surrender them to my Higher Power and work my program, I find relief and serenity.

Another kind of temptation comes infrequently, but hits me like a ton of bricks. Several weeks ago, I had a sciatica attack. The muscles in my lower back became inflamed and pinched a major nerve there. I couldn’t escape the pain, and I felt driven to seek some distraction. This was one temptation that needed some extra attention.

I called my sponsor and shared the temptations. We agreed that I would call later in the day so as to bookend the time. I did this for the next several days until the pain started to subside. I also attended several meetings and called other SA members during that time. I chose several of my hobbies that were of high interest to take my mind off the pain. I survived the time, still sober.

Underneath my efforts to surrender all temptations is my commitment to let go of my desire for lust. Everything I do supports this commitment—my prayers to my Higher Power, my attendance at SA meetings, and my talks with my sponsor and other SA members. This work supports my heart’s commitment to sobriety. The fruit of this commitment is that the attitude of surrender becomes a way of life. This attitude enables me to surrender resentments and petty efforts to control people, places and things. It also helps me live in the present.

Life has its ups and downs, but the SA slogan we often use reflects the truth of our program, “It Works If You Work It, and You Are Worth It.”