It’s Safe to Release What You’re Holding Onto

Ever surrender your deepest fears to the Creator of the sunrise? Here’s where to start.

Recently, I wrote these honest thoughts in my journal as I was struggling through a hard situation: “Sometimes I attach a great deal of my trust in God to my desire for things to turn out the way I think they should. I want the goodness of God to make life good right now, without any waiting. I know that the goodness of God means God is good even when everything else isn’t. But I have a hard time with this. Especially when there’s pain while I’m waiting for God’s goodness to be revealed. And here’s my real fear: Sometimes the pain of today feels like a declaration of what my whole future will look like.”

I knew I needed to press in hard to God with my doubts. And although it’s not wrong to have these thoughts, it is dangerous to let them consume me. So, I decided to go on a walk because I’m most reminded of the sovereignty, intentionality, and artistry of our Creator when I’m outside in nature.

I love noting the changing pinks and purples of a sunrise or sunset over the marsh. I relish the signs of new life bursting forth as spring arrives, displaying its glory in the trees and flowerbeds. And I find it comforting that each day begins and ends with God’s display of light and dark. The consistent rhythms found in nature remind me that God is consistently true to who He is.

Lamentations 3:22–23 illuminates these important truths for us to cling to: God is always a God of compassion. God never runs out of His love for us. It’s simply a part of who our faithful God is. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

As I took one step after another on my walk, I had a choice: I could stay stuck cycling through my doubts and fears, or I could surrender to the only One who is safe enough to help me process them. So I opened my hands as I declared out loud:

“Lord, today I resist the pressure to try to figure out that difficult situation I so desperately want fixed. I resist the desire to control and the temptation to panic and feel like it all depends on me. I resist the pull toward focusing on all that another person is doing wrong. And I resist dwelling on worst-case scenarios.

“Tonight I will stand outside during sunset, and as the light drops into the horizon, I will watch what You put on display to see what You can do with a mix of light and darkness.

“And I will remember why I am not afraid that the end of this day means the end of the light forever.

“It’s because I know how magnificent it will be when You bring the light back tomorrow morning. I know the sun will rise because You faithfully show us that over and over and over.

“The God who makes the sun rise is the same God to whom I can safely release all I am holding onto. God, I know You see all of it. I know You know what to do with it. I trust You to guide me. I will do my part, and I will let You handle the rest.”

Friend, I’m not sure what’s going on in your life right now, but God does. Please know: It’s okay to hand all of your doubts over to Him as you simply take a deep breath and soak in the reality of who He is. Maybe you can look out the window and see the sunrise. Or sit outside and hear the birds beginning to sing. And if you’re having a hard time putting words to how you feel, youcan borrow my prayer today.

Let the beauty of His creation remind you He is faithfully compassionate. He loves you now and tomorrow and each new day.

…

Excerpted from Come Close to Jesus, © 2026. Used by permission of Harper Collins.