The Path of the Four P’s: Walking with Christ

Have you ever sat in church and heard something simple that ended up staying with you for weeks, maybe even years? Not because it was a long sermon or a complicated teaching, but because, in that moment, it felt like God was speaking directly to you. That happened to me not long ago.

My journey to find meaning hasn’t been easy. I’ve battled mental health struggles, carried regrets that weighed me down, and fought the lie that shame would always define me. Yet, through God’s love, I discovered a path forward—what my pastor referred to as “The Four P’s” during a sermon: Power, Perspective, Passion, and Purpose. This framework helped turn my pain into purpose, and I’m sharing it in hopes it brings light to someone else walking through their own shadows.

Power

The first step was experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. I live with chronic bipolar disorder, a condition that requires three medications to manage. Without them, I face mood swings that range from soaring mania to deep depression. Twice, my church had to witness me in that raw, unmedicated state. On one of my very first weeks there, I even stood up in the middle of service and screamed out loud that Lady Gaga was actually Jesus.

But here’s the miracle: no one judged me. They knew what was happening, and instead of turning away, they chose to embrace me. They offered love, compassion, and acceptance, standing with me as I worked with my therapist and psychiatrist. Their support became part of my healing journey—a living reminder that the Spirit of God was not only present but working through His people. As Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” That power wasn’t abstract—it was real, breaking open my heart and whispering, “You are not defined by your past. You are loved.”

Perspective

When I graduated college, I never imagined my journey would lead through the locked doors of a psychiatric hospital—not once, but three times. I couldn’t have foreseen the weight of criminal charges, or the lifelong reality of sex offender registration. Probation and time in jail stripped me of the illusions I once held about myself and others. They humbled me. But strangely, they also opened my eyes.

In those dark places—jail cells and psych units—I met people whose stories weren’t all that different from mine. People with families, hopes, and deep wounds. People struggling to make sense of who they were and how they got there. And I began to see a hard but beautiful truth: everyone carries pain. Everyone is fighting something.

Leaning into the Spirit’s power didn’t fix everything, but it shifted how I saw everything. Through prayer, therapy, and years of reflection, I started to understand my own brokenness—not to excuse it, but to confront it with honesty. And as I did, judgment gave way to compassion. Comparison softened into connection. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” I’ve learned that when we choose love—real, messy, Christ-like love—it doesn’t take much to make a difference. Sometimes, a simple act of kindness can spark healing in ways we may never fully see.

Passion

From this new perspective, passion was born—but not the kind of passion that strives to impress or prove anything. For me, it became something quieter, deeper—a call to live authentically as a warrior of Christ, helping others rise from their own broken places. I don’t need to wear a mask anymore or pretend to have it all together. My joy comes from teaching, encouraging, and walking alongside others, showing them—through my own story—that healing is possible.

Since I was 16, when I first worked at the Boys and Girls Club, I’ve felt called to teach. That calling followed me through college as I became a substitute and summer school teacher while earning my degrees in secondary education and Spanish. I dreamed of opening the world to students through language and culture. But at 22, that dream slipped away—rightfully so, though it broke my heart. Still, God never let the fire die. I discovered that my love for facilitating learning wasn’t tied to a classroom.

Today, I channel that same passion into workshops at my church, including one on mental health that I’m preparing now—designed to equip families with faith-based tools to face the hard stuff. Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” That verse reminds me that the fire inside of me still matters. It’s what drives me to be vulnerable, to serve with compassion, and to help others see the God-given potential in themselves—even when their dreams, like mine once did, feel out of reach.

Purpose

That passion led me to purpose—not in the sense of achieving perfection, but in discovering that life has meaning when we contribute to something greater than ourselves. Through time in the Word and listening closely for God’s voice, I’ve learned to recognize His gentle nudges—sometimes calling me to share my story with a group, other times simply to sit beside someone and remind them they’re not alone. My purpose is rooted in service—whether that’s being a caretaker for my grandmother as she walks through recurrent stage four metastatic lung cancer, or showing up as the coolest uncle for my niece and nephew, two people who bring me so much joy and pride. Despite my struggles, God continues to use them, turning pain into something purposeful. Through divine surrender, I’ve come to believe none of these moments are random. He gave me a voice I’ve always used—and now, I use it to help others feel seen, heard, and hopeful.

Jesus said in Matthew 17:20, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.” My faith hasn’t always been deep, but even a mustard seed’s worth has carried me through. That’s what the Four P Model means to me—it’s not about having it all together. It’s about letting God transform your pain into purpose through the Spirit’s POWER, a Christ-centered PERSPECTIVE, a PASSION for lifting others up, and a PURPOSE rooted in hope. If He can do that for me, He can do it for you too.

Click here if you would like to read more about my story, From Chaos to Strength: My Bipolar Journey to Healing and Redemption.

-Christopher Aldana