122. Patrick's Story: 150 Gay Encounters, A Loving Wife, and One Faithful God

Welcome to episode #122! Matt and Braden chat with Patrick, a man with an amazing story of knowing God's strength after enduring many trials and life-altering sexual mistakes!

Sexual abuse is devastating
Patrick was sexually abused by multiple men in his childhood. He told his mom once, but she didn't speak of it again and then invited the abuser to live in their home. From this, Patrick was convinced that he didn't matter and developed a habit of not opening up when things were hard. In his early teen years, he started feeling urges to do to other boys what the older men had done to him. Though he was dating girls at the time, his attraction to men was just beginning to take shape with initial desires to repeat the behaviour done to him in his abuse.

Secrets only make things worse
Patrick started acting out with gay porn and having escapades with men, but never told anybody that this was an issue. In his first marriage, his wife never found out about the secret he kept in the dark, which only allowed his desires to take over. In Patrick's second marriage, he was out of control in his search of gay sex and eventually caught STIs. He felt an urge to end his life when he contracted HIV, but later heard God's audible voice speaking to him about his new disease. He had to tell his wife about his HIV, which was the start of him walking in freedom from decades of sexual sin.
 
Trials shape us
Patrick lists many things that wouldn't be in his life today if it weren't for HIV. First and foremost, intimacy with his wife is at a deeper level forever because he has no other sexual outlets and he finally feels fully known - and yet loved. God has used his trial and his past to impact others and he is now mentoring individuals to teach them how to live a life of freedom - a life he finally knows.

Share this with your friends
Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Subscribe
Subscribe on any podcast app to make sure you catch new episodes!

Resources
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+

Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Book a FREE call (men)

Course for marriages

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code RM30 for 30 days free

Podcast Hosts
BRADEN HAFNER
Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He has been married for 13 years to his wife Kristen, and they live in Edmonton, Alberta. He is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

MATT CLINE
Matt and his wife Louise raise their little guys, David and Oliver, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is honoured to do what he can to tackle the epidemic of pornography and sexual perversion in every way possible. Seeing lives and marriages get free and experience the love of God in profound ways is what drives him every day. He leads Restored Ministries, is a certified speaker and coach for the John Maxwell Team, and formerly played hockey in the WHL and for Hockey Canada. You can visit www.restoredministries.ca.