The Path of the Four P’s: Walking with Christ
Have you ever heard something simple in church that lingered with you for weeks, even years? Not because it was a lengthy sermon or complex lesson, but because it felt like God spoke directly to your heart. That happened to me recently.
My search for meaning has been a challenging road. I’ve wrestled with mental health struggles, carried heavy regrets, and battled the lie that shame would always define me. Yet, through God’s love, I found a way forward. My pastor shared a framework called “The Four P’s” during a sermon: Power, Perspective, Passion, and Purpose. This model transformed my pain into purpose, and I share it now hoping it offers hope to others navigating their own struggles.
Power
The journey began with the Holy Spirit’s power. I live with chronic bipolar disorder, managed by three medications. Without them, I experience mood swings ranging from intense mania to deep depression. My church witnessed this firsthand twice. During one of my earliest weeks there, I stood up mid-service and shouted that Lady Gaga was Jesus.
Yet, the miracle was their response. No one judged me. They understood my struggle and chose to embrace me with love, compassion, and acceptance. They supported me as I worked with my therapist and psychiatrist. Their care became a vital part of my healing, a tangible sign that God’s Spirit was present, working through His people. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” That power felt real, opening my heart and reminding me, “Your past does not define you. You are loved.”
Perspective
When I graduated college, I never imagined my path would lead through psychiatric hospital doors, not once but three times. I couldn’t have predicted facing criminal charges or the lifelong burden of sex offender registration. Probation and jail time shattered my illusions about myself and others. They humbled me, yet they also opened my eyes.
In those dark places, like jail cells and psych units, I met people whose stories echoed mine. They had families, dreams, and deep pain. They were searching for meaning in who they were and how they ended up there. I began to see a difficult but profound truth: everyone carries pain. Everyone faces battles.
Relying on the Spirit’s power didn’t resolve everything, but it changed how I viewed my life. Through prayer, therapy, and years of reflection, I started to understand my brokenness, not to justify it but to face it honestly. Judgment turned to compassion. Comparison became 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 choosing real, messy, Christ-like love makes a difference. A small act of kindness can ignite healing in ways we might never fully understand.
Passion
This new perspective sparked a quiet, deep passion, not about impressing others but about living authentically as a warrior for Christ, helping others rise from brokenness. I no longer need to hide behind a mask or pretend I’m perfect. My joy now comes from teaching, encouraging, and walking with others, showing through my story that healing is possible.
Since age 16, when I worked at the Boys and Girls Club, I’ve felt called to teach. That calling carried me through college, where I earned degrees in secondary education and Spanish, working as a substitute and summer school teacher. I dreamed of inspiring students through language and culture. At 22, that dream fell apart, rightfully so, and it broke my heart. Yet, God kept that fire alive. I learned my passion for facilitating learning wasn’t limited to a classroom.
Now, I pour that passion into church workshops, including one I’m developing on mental health to equip families with faith-based tools for tough times. Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” This verse reminds me that my inner fire still matters. It fuels my vulnerability, my service, and my mission to help others see their God-given potential, even when their dreams feel out of reach, as mine once did.
Purpose
That passion led to purpose, not about achieving perfection but about finding meaning in contributing to something bigger than myself. Through time in Scripture and listening for God’s voice, I’ve learned to notice His gentle guidance, sometimes to share my story with a group, other times to simply sit with someone and remind them they’re not alone. My purpose lies in service, whether caring for my grandmother through her stage four metastatic lung cancer or being the coolest uncle to my niece and nephew, who fill me with joy and pride. Despite my struggles, God uses them, turning pain into purpose. Through surrender, I’ve come to see that 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 strong, but even a tiny seed has carried me through. That’s what the Four P Model means to me. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about letting God transform pain into purpose through the Spirit’s POWER, a Christ-centered PERSPECTIVE, a PASSION for uplifting others, and a PURPOSE rooted in hope. If He can do this 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.
