Description

"I was not supposed to be a drug addict, I was not supposed to be gay, I was not supposed to be someone who wanted to kill themselves." This was Nathan's thought as he considered suicide to repay his parents for all that he took from them. Instead, Nathan chose to live and this episode is his story.

Nathan bravely shares his story of alcoholism, drug addiction, homosexuality, HIV diagnosis, and redemption. We recorded this episode on the day Nathan celebrated 21 months of freedom from drug addiction and 3 years of freedom from alcohol.

Here are a few quotes that were highly impactful for us as we recorded:

• "I became whoever I needed to be for every situation."
• Speaking on his homosexuality: "No one wakes up asking for this. I was hardwired into this world."
• Praying: "Please don't make me be this way. I will live this perfect life if you will change this aspect of me." 
• "I banked at the bank of Mom and Dad for a long time."
• "I had more confidence that the devil was real and that evil was real before I ever trusted God with my life...And that is a very scary place."
• "If the devil isn't after you then you really aren't living as a threat to him."
• "In the bottom of that bag was God."

Resources:

• Suicide Hotline: 988
• Helpline Center: www.helplinecenter.org
• Lost & Found: www.resilienttdoday.org
• Avera: www.avera.org/locations/profile/avera-addiction-care-center-sioux-falls/

KPP (Keep Pressing Play) Please consider sharing if this episode created ripples in your thought process.

Instagram @mandatepod

Email: mandate.pod@gmail.com

Website: https://anchor.fm/mandate

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mandatepodcast

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