"Deflecting Sexual Impulses"

I was intrigued to read an article in the August 6 WSJ. The American Psychological Association, with 150,000 members worldwide, has plans to promote a new approach to sexuality. "If a client believes that affirming his same sex attractions would be sinful or destructive to his faith, psychologists can help him construct an identity that rejects the power of those attractions. That might require living celibately, learning to deflect sexual impulses, or framing a life of struggle as an opportunity to grow closer to God." One man interviewed for the article likens his choice to that of a "recovering alcoholic resisting a drink." "There are a lot of us out there who simply want to live in congruence with our faith," he said.

Yeah, and that goes for us heterosexuals, too! "Learning to deflect sexual impulses" is something most of us heterosexuals have to learn, too! There may be a whole host of other "impulses" that all of us humans may have to deal with in order to be "congruent with our faith," not to mention happy in our marriages! How about the impulse of anger? Do we give in to it, feel self-pity, then lash out in anger to justify our feelings of victimization? That is one I struggle with; what impulses do you struggle with?

Then, there is this question for the psychologists: what about the person who could care less about "congruence with his faith," or has no faith at all? Do you counsel that person to forget about "deflecting sexual impulses?"