Episode Overview

Podcast: I AM HealingStrong
Episode: 124: Sweetness and Surrender: The Healing Power of Honey and Faith | Nate Sheets
Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Jim Mann
Guest: Nate Sheets

In this episode, host Jim Mann sits down with Nate Sheets, creator of America's largest honey company (Nature Nate’s), former Christian ministry leader, and now a candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner. They explore the intersections of entrepreneurship, faith, healing, and the miraculous qualities of honey—blending personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical health knowledge. The episode is rich with insights on surrendering to God’s direction, the power of stepping into the unknown, and how small acts of faith can have life-changing impacts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Healing and Mystical Qualities of Honey

• (00:00, 24:29) Nate explains honey’s unique properties:
  • The only natural food containing both a carbohydrate and a protein (from pollen).
  • Naturally antibiotic and antifungal, never spoils.
  • Instant absorption through the gums—lifesaving for diabetics in shock.
  • Contains pollen, which can help with allergies by coating the nerve receptors (pollen acts as a natural antihistamine).
  • Unlike processed sugar, honey provides a gentle, sustained energy curve.

"Honey is it in its entirety is very unique... you can literally survive on honey because it has both of those components in it."
— Nate Sheets, (00:00, repeated at 24:29)

• The shift in the honey industry:
  • Nate spearheaded the raw and unfiltered honey sector, responding directly to consumer desire through 17 years of direct feedback (his phone number was on every bottle).
  • The honey category grew from $300 million to $1.5 billion in U.S. annual grocery sales, most of it now raw and unfiltered (26:00).

2. Faith and Serendipity: Surrender Versus Striving

• Nate’s path was never strategic or ego-driven:
  • Bought a beehive as a newlywed hobby; didn’t set out to build a honey empire.
  • Entered ministry simply by taking small, sometimes fearful steps—such as mission trips and evangelism training.
  • Cites Ephesians 2:10: “God created us as workmanship... for good works... that we should walk in them.”

“The things that, quote unquote, would be considered successful, I never really intended... It's almost like an Easter egg hunt trying to discover, ‘Alright, Lord, is this what You have for me?’”
— Nate Sheets, (07:33)

• Jim and Nate reflect on the “Moses syndrome”—God often uses the unlikely and uncomfortable to accomplish His purposes (13:29).

"God wants us desperate and dependent upon him... help me to learn how to be desperate for you and not being in desperate circumstances."
— Nate Sheets, (13:45)

3. The Power of Obedience and Community

• Jim and Nate share stories of being propelled into roles (band, radio, ministry, entrepreneurship) through simple willingness, not necessarily superior talent nor ambition.
• Importance of community—how support networks and groups (like HealingStrong) play a vital role in healing and life direction.

4. Lessons from Exodus: Divine Provision and Partnership

• Nate recounts how God provided for Moses:
  • The Israelites took gold from Egyptians; God later assigned Bezalel and Oholiab, skilled craftsmen whom God had already prepared.
  • Parallels to Nate’s life in how people and resources have arrived just when needed.

"He has provided the gold of the Egyptians, and he has provided Bezalel and Holyb..."
— Nate Sheets, (16:40)

5. Call to Civic Impact: Running for Texas Ag Commissioner

• After selling Nature Nate’s, Nate seeks to impact public health and farming through politics, prompted by Rick Santorum.
• Passionate about improving food quality as many illnesses begin with what we eat.

“People are getting sick from the food that we eat, and we’re losing farming and ranching... I want to go make an impact in the lives of everyone in Texas.”
— Nate Sheets, (29:11)

• Advocates for believers to engage in public spheres, not just churches or traditional ministry roles.

“If the church is devoid of having a presence and a voice... then they're railing against that after those decisions are made, versus ... sending missionaries out into the world. We should identify, train up, equip, and send people out..."
— Nate Sheets, (31:34)

6. Prayer Request for Guidance and Protection

• Nate humbly asks for prayer for:
  • Purity of heart and mind.
  • Protection for his family.
  • Wise counsel and accountability.
  • A servant’s attitude over pride as he enters politics.

“If I’m being vocal about wanting to go into this public spectrum and make a difference for God’s kingdom, Satan’s not going to just let me do that without... opposition... pray for my own purity, my family, wisdom, and a heart of servitude.”
— Nate Sheets, (32:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On entrepreneurial beginnings:
  "My dad ... was an engineer ... very non entrepreneurial. ... My brother and I are both very gregarious, charismatic entrepreneurs. ... It's funny how, you know, families wind up developing over time." (05:11)
• On humility:
  “The things I tried to make happen on my own, they never really worked. Then there were God’s ideas.” (07:22)
• On surrendering control:
  “I did the honey company for a decade and never really made any money. I just kept being faithful in it.” (10:18)
• On the hidden impact:
  “Those are the things that are never measured on this side of heaven, just because you really don’t understand the breadth of that.” (35:00)
• On adventure and uncertainty:
  “There are so many things ahead of you and things you don’t even know about yet, which is kind of exciting.” (32:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 — Nate's explanation of honey’s healing properties
• 07:33 — Surrender, discovery, and God’s workmanship
• 13:45 — Learning dependency on God through desperation
• 16:40 — Lessons from Exodus: Gold, Bezalel, and divine provision
• 24:29 — Deep dive into honey’s unique health and nutritional value
• 26:00–27:28 — How raw and unfiltered honey changed the industry
• 29:11 — Transition to politics: Call for public impact
• 31:34 — Christians and civic engagement
• 32:31 — Nate’s prayer requests
• 35:00 — The hidden impact of faithfulness in service

How to Connect with Nate Sheets

• Website: natesheets.com
• Social Media: NateSheetsForTX or Nate Sheets for Texas on Facebook
• Email: nate@natesheets.com

This episode is an inspiring testimony to the power of small yeses, ongoing faith, and the beauty found in surrendering life’s direction to God—whether in business, ministry, or public service.