From Angry Agnostic to Unwavering Faith: Dr. Jan Harrell's Journey to Peace and Purpose

Dr. Jan Harrell's journey is a testament to the transformative power of surrendering to a higher calling. Once an "angry agnostic," her path from a medical paradigm of mental illness to an educational model of self-awareness has not only reshaped her understanding of human suffering but has also become a profound expression of her deep-seated faith.

Jan's initial drive into psychology stemmed from an inability to stand by while others suffered. Her early ambition was to "save them." However, a mind-blowing epiphany shifted her entire worldview: if Freud had been a teacher instead of a doctor, the concept of "mental illness" might not exist. Instead, humanity would grapple with "self-ignorance," and strive for "self-awareness." This revelation transformed Jan from a psychologist into an educator, dedicated to helping individuals understand their emotional world.

From Medical Model to Self-Awareness

This insight, which Jan believes came directly from God, led her to create a curriculum designed to unite and empower. Witnessing the suffering of high school students, she penned the program in a mere hour and a half. This curriculum, initially piloted for ten years in a local high school, proved to have an astonishing impact, dissolving superficial differences and uniting students around their common humanity. The program's success wasn't limited to schools; it transformed the culture of an entire prison, even reaching and softening the hearts of hardened teenage gang members whom no one else could reach.

Jan's work highlights a critical truth: much of what is labeled as "bad behavior" or "mental illness" is often a lack of language and tools to handle complex emotions. Just as a child throwing a tantrum needs understanding and communication tools, so too do adults. Her personal anecdote of mirroring her granddaughter's distress to bring her laughter and connection perfectly illustrates her philosophy: 'Look deeper. Do not be distressed by that sudden loss of our inner peace. Take a breath, calm down, and look deeper for understanding and a creative solution that will work well enough for everybody.'

An Agnostic’s Encounter With Faith

Her faith journey is as compelling as her professional one. Raised by atheists, Jan was a skeptic who demanded proof. She describes herself as an "angry agnostic," challenging God to "come get me" if He existed. And He did. Through a series of undeniable experiences, God confronted her, leading her to a profound surrender. This personal transformation allows her to approach her work with compassion and understanding for doubters, knowing she once stood in their shoes.

Jan's faith now guides every aspect of her life and business. She believes that by treating ourselves with the same loving patience and kindness we would offer a child, we can achieve wholeness, which in turn creates space to find God. She doesn't preach but rather directs people to find their own truth, confident that a parallel exists between personal truth and universal, God-given truth. Her focus is not on avoiding pain or seeking pleasure, but on living in God's peace, which carries her through all of life's inevitable ups and downs.

Faith Through Loss and Surrender

A pivotal moment in her faith's influence came after the passing of her husband, Al. This profound loss stripped away her illusion of control, revealing that even being a "good person" doesn't guarantee immunity from suffering. This experience forced her to live one breath at a time, surrendering all plans and practicalities to God's hands. Since then, she feels less like she makes decisions and more like she follows a clear path that unfolds before her.

This surrender led her to take extraordinary action. After a school shooting, she felt compelled to offer her curriculum to every school superintendent in the United States. While the immediate response was small, she knew in that moment that she was successful, not because of the outcome, but because she was doing what she was called to do. This act of faith has since led to her curriculum being adopted by juvenile corrections in New York, Ohio, and Chicago, and by school districts in Western Australia – a testament to the miraculous unfolding of God's plan.

Living in Peace and Purpose

Jan dedicates half her week to this outreach, volunteering her time and talent. The other half is spent in work she considers a blessing, connecting with people and guiding them towards healing. Her advice to other Christian business leaders is simple yet profound: 'Live in God’s peace and follow His guidance. It is amazing what can happen.' She acknowledges that this path doesn't always lead to happiness, but it does lead to peace and purpose, a peace that has carried her through immense personal loss and empowered her to transform countless lives.

Jan provides the curriculum free of charge to schools and organizations that work with children. If you would like to learn more or request access, feel free to connect with Jan on LinkedIn or reach out via email at janharrell.now@outlook.com