Alex and Carlos PenaVega Feel Power of God Amid Pain, Loss of Daughter

Actors Carlos and Alexa PenaVega have long been Hollywood staples, with the couple appearing in movies, TV shows, and other entertainment endeavors. But in addition to entertaining the masses, the married couple routinely shares their Christian faith. In the process, their story has inspired millions of people to connect more deeply with God. The two co-star in the new Great American Pure Flix film "Mr. Manhattan," which starts streaming May 23. The movie offers a "heartwarming story about what it means to find joy after grief and give God control over every aspect of our lives." The couple recently talked about the themes in "Mr. Manhattan" and the very real-life issues they've been contending with after the loss of their fourth child, Indy, who was stillborn. The PenaVegas revealed the heartbreaking news last month, expressing a deep reliance upon God amid such a tragic circumstance. Carlos and Alexa already have three children — Ocean, 7, Kingston, 4, and Rio, 2. In reflecting on "Mr. Manhattan, Alexa said "the Christian walk isn't pretty" and that some people sell a false premise that believers will have it easy when they accept Jesus. The reality, she said, is quite different. "It's really ... hard, and you are going to be wrestling with God a lot throughout your journey," she said. "It is the most fulfilling walk you'll ever take, and it's also the most peaceful walk that you'll ever take." Alexa then reflected on her own experience with Indy to share how the family has been tested in this way. "We're walking through grief right now after losing our daughter," she said. "And that was the hardest thing we have ever had to experience — ever. But, what's awesome about our God is He [has] truly met us between this place of pain and peace, and He really spoke to us." Alexa continued, "We've been saying ... the slogan for this season really feels like 'pain with purpose,' and it's interesting how God will make any painful experience that you have gone through ... He brings purpose to all the painful things in your life and He turns them into testimonies." Despite facing such a horrific situation with the loss of Indy, Alexa said she believes she and Carlos have been able to get to "know God on a level that we didn't even know we were capable of." Despite the pain, she said the season has been "very fruitful," spiritually speaking. In addition to sharing these themes more generally, the couple also discussed the spiritual perspectives they believe audiences will take away from "Mr. Manhattan." Carlos said he believes too many people see God as "transactional instead of relational." "I think that's the biggest takeaway for sure," he said. "I feel like everybody deals with that in life. It's like, 'Well, God, I did this. Why did you do this to me?' [or] 'I did this, you know, but why this?' And that's not how God works." Hear him explain.